Reznet

Marge DeRuyter from Pipestone, Minnesota and an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Nation will be sworn into office at 9 am on January 6th with many of her family members present for this historical first Native American woman taking the seat.  Marge is an  alumni of the Blandin Leadership program.  She is very passionate about her work for the County in Pipestone, Minnesota.  She has been making many positive changes during her nine years on the job.

It was a much warmer day for the riders as they entered Marshall, Minnesota.

Today we arrived the American Legion in Pipestone, Minnesota to help serve breakfast to the riders.  It was amazing to see all the people.  Isaiah Miller from Pine Ridge said "My father Jim Miller had a dream and he is the one holding the staff."  Isaiah is from Pine Ridge.  The Lower Sioux Tribal Police have been helping provide a safe escort for the horses.  My daughter Kari helped serve Lunch at the Stephanie and Rich DeRuyter farm located in Ruthton, Minnesota.  The farm provided a warm place to stop between Pipestone and Russell, Minnesota.

Its time to take radio production at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.  I have had a request from the Oyate Club members to play some Native Music from the bands that they hear on the Wacipi Trail.  I thought learning to write was hard until I had one shift in the radio station.  So many buttons and then my friend who works at Jackpot Junction in Redwood said "Ellen if the light is on do not sing."  I laughed and said Ok Dianne Holmes.

This week the Upper Sioux had signs posted about their Meth Walk.  This walk is the second walk sponsored by the community.  On June 6th the  stomp out Meth Walk begins.  Many people participated last year in the event.  If your interested in participating in the walk you can arrive at the multipurpose building at the Upper Sioux at 8 am on June 6, 2008.  They will be giving out shirts for people who participate.  A noon lunch will also be served.  

http://www.uppersiouxcommunity-nsn.gov/pages/events.htm

I was on my way to school when I saw a group of runners with Eagle staffs.  They had lead cars posted with runners ahead.  Many people were stopping to watch them.  I wanted to stop and ask what the event was honoring but would have been late for my test.  I saw one of our classmates on Kelo and she looked amazing.  

Elizabeth Blair teaches English at Southwest Minnesota State University. She is purchasing the latest health food from Pine Ridge. The Buffalo and Cranberry energy bars. Our class will be tasting them.

The thought of cranberry and buffalo together in one bite is interesting. Blair lives in the Twin Cities full time and part time near Granite Falls, Minn.

Several people in my English class are anticipating the arrival of these bars. I plan on searching the internet to find out more about the company on Pine Ridge.

Has anyone tried them?

The NCAA has now thrown the ball into the hands of the Tribes to prove that Fighting Sioux logo is hurtful to the people.

I lived in North Dakota for almost eight years. The t-shirts that are on display during large sporting events show graphic images that lower the bar on humanity.

Earlier this year it was announced in our news facilities on campus at Southwest Minnesota State University that Professor Dr. Chris Mato Nunpa will retire at the end of this school year.

He is the head of the SMSU Indigenous Nations program. His daughter Angela Wilson has written books about the Dakotah Memorial March. Her book is called "In the Footsteps of My Ancesters."