Nellie Two Bulls to Receive First Peoples Fund "Community Spirit" Award

[Historian]

Nellie Two Bulls to Receive First Peoples Fund "Community Spirit" Award
by Jomay Steen, Staff Writer
Rapid City Journal - 25 Oct 2005

RAPID CITY, SD — First Peoples Fund announced four American Indian artists from throughout the country who will be honored at its Community Spirit Awards at a new venue in early December.

On Monday, Mayor Jim Shaw, representing Rapid City’s honorary host committee, said the annual award ceremony has celebrated an array of culturally talented Indian people for keeping alive their culture, language and stories.

He congratulated Nellie Two Bulls of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation as the one South Dakotan honored this year by First Peoples Fund Community Spirit Award.

“Nellie has been very active and part of our community for a number of years. I believe they were at the very first blast at Crazy Horse Memorial more than 50 years ago,” Shaw said.

Two Bulls is an Oglala Lakota historian, storyteller and singer from rural Pine Ridge, who is being recognized for the traditions that she continues to practice.

Others recognized are Lois Chichinoff Thadei, Aleut, Olympia, Wash.; Apolonia Susana Santos, Tygh/Yakama, Warm Springs, Ore.; and David Moses Bridges, Passamaquoddy/Wabanaki, Perry, Maine.

Linda Lea Viken, a Rapid City lawyer, said she and her husband, Jeff, nominated Two Bulls for keeping her own traditions alive while reaching out to the non-Indian community to introduce it to her culture and beliefs.

As part of adoption ceremonies into the Two Bulls’ family, the Vikens consider Two Bulls their grandmother and have attended many Lakota ceremonies at her invitation, she said.

Viken said Two Bulls is an accomplished storyteller and singer of traditional songs. The Oglala woman is well respected in her community and has been recognized as a national treasure by the federal government and children’s advocacy programs.

“People turn to her for support and wisdom,” Viken said.

This year, organizers moved the award ceremony and the accompanying theatrical production from The Journey Museum to Central High School’s theater, Shaw said. An exhibit and reception Saturday, Dec. 3, at the museum will honor the 2006 Community Spirit Award recipients, Lori Pourier, First Peoples Fund president, said.

“We encourage everyone to participate in this marvelous event. It’s one of the highlights of the year,” Shaw said.

Tickets cost $50 and include a museum exhibit, banquet reception at the museum and honoring ceremony at Central High School; or $10 to attend the honoring ceremony at Central High School.

Pourier said on Monday that the four artists were recognized for their unselfish work to teach and sustain their artistic expression, cultural values and service to the people of their communities.

Pourier said that since moving to Rapid City, the organization has been able to recognize those indigenous people from South Dakota.

“We’re grateful to see that,” she said.

To reserve tickets for First Peoples Fund Community Spirit Awards, call 605-348-0324.