Oyate Today in January

Oyate Today is a 30-minute interview program on the history and living culture of indigenous people in the Northern Plains. Oyate Today is produced by Native Sun News Today publisher Tim Giago (Oglala Lakota) and Jackie Giago, hosted by Richie Richards (Oglala Lakota), and filmed at Prairie Edge in downtown Rapid City.

Sequoia Crosswhite.

Sequoia Crosswhite

SDPB1: Sunday, Jan. 5, Noon (11 MT) Musician and Lakota language teacher Sequoia Crosswhite has been presenting Lakota dance and music since he was a teen. He has performed internationally and opened for the Southern Rock Allstars, Jimmy Van Zant, Vince Converse, Russell Jackson, Vanilla Ice, Coolio, Three Six Mafia, Naughty By Nature, Afro-Man and Rahzel and Jackopierce. His compositions have been used by the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra and the Center of American Indian Research and Native Studies (CAIRNS). Crosswhite composed and co-wrote songs with Rockyford School fourth graders at Pine Ridge.

Valeriah Big Eagle.

Valeriah Big Eagle

SDPB1: Sunday, Jan. 12, Noon (11 MT) Valeriah Big Eagle is Student Success Advisor at Black Hills State University-Rapid City, where she provides one-on-one support to traditional-aged and returning college students. Big Eagle was recently named to the “40 Under 40” list of inspiring and dedicated professionals, compiled by Prairie Business Magazine.

Tom Casey.

Tom Casey

SDPB1: Sunday, Jan. 19, Noon (11 MT) Tom Casey has been the station manager of KILI Radio, an independent, Lakota-owned and operated, 100,000 watt FM radio station located at Porcupine Butte on the Pine Ridge Reservation in southwestern South Dakota. For over 30 years, KILI has broadcast tribal council meetings, health information, basketball games and sporting events, wakes, congressional hearings, music and information. Casey’s radio career in South Dakota began in 1985 with a interview and jazz program Sunday nights on KILI.

Gene Tyon.

Leon Leader Charge.

Gene Tyon & Leon Leader Charge

SDPB1: Sunday, Jan. 26, Noon (11 MT) Gene Tyon is the director at Oaye Luta Okolakiciye (Moving Forward in a Sacred Way), a non-profit, culturally based safehouse/crisis center and addition healing program which provides prevention, intervention and a continuum of care services in Rapid City and surrounding Indian reservation. Leon Leader Charge holds a master’s degree in Education Administration and is working on another in Addiction Studies. He has worked for the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The two discuss their work in recovery in indigenous communities.