Sinte Gleska University News

SGU students attend SD Festival of Books 2011

2011-10-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

This is a special Deadwood Diary written by Alan Seeger, freshman Arts & Sciences student at Sinte Gleska University. On October 8, 2011, the SGU Arts & Sciences Department English Instructor, Mary Henson, and SGU Student Support Services Department English Instructor, Sammie Bordeaux, co-chaperoned a trip for students to the South Dakota Festival of Books in Deadwood, SD. This year's featured One Book South Dakota author, Joseph Marshall, III, was scheduled to deliver the keynote to end the festival that evening, and students have been reading The Journey of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall this semester. Despite some rainy weather, students and staff enjoyed their visit to the literary world of South Dakota. Following is a diary of the day by Alan Seeger.

Above: SGU students Amanda Small Bear, Kyle Bordeaux,

Chantelle One Star and Allen Stead at the SD

Festival of Books 2011 in Deadwood, SD.

South Dakota Book Festival DiaryAlan Seeger
October 8, 2011

9:30am CST - Got up at 7am. Fiddled around on the computer for a few minutes. Got dressed, then waited for everyone else to get ready. Packed my tablet, spiral notebook, the book I am currently reading (“The World We Used To Live In” by Vine Deloria Jr.), and my medications.

By then, most everyone was nearly ready. I went out and loaded my wheelchair into our van, and only dimly noted that the spare tire was sitting on the back seat from having had a flat a couple of weeks ago. My capable wife and her sister put it back in its storage under the rear of the van.

Then we all loaded up -- my wife, her sister, our three daughters (our son declined the trip, preferring to stay home and play video games) and me -- and headed for Sinte, where we were supposed to meet at 10am.

It was 10:01am. I made the comment that it was a red letter day, proof that we could almost be on time for something.

10:30am CST - Of the 33 people that signed up for the trip, only 10 showed up. Chalk it up to Pell grants having come out yesterday. *sigh*

12 noon MST - We’re zooming down I-90 at 80 mph. It’s cloudy, but no rain yet. 52°F. We’re passing semis like they’re standing still. We just passed mile marker 90. The Paha Sapa loom on the horizon, grey in the misty conditions.

12:30pm MST - Stopped for gas in Rapid City. It’s 40 miles to Deadwood, we’ve got half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses. Well, not really. I just like to quote that line.

1:15pm MST: We’re going down winding State Highway 14 from the Interstate toward Deadwood. The evergreens stand proud and strong, and the deciduous trees are ablaze with color.

1:30pm MST - We arrive at the Deadwood Mountain Grand casino, one of the main locations of the Book Festival.

It’s my first time in Deadwood, and I am amused by the names of many of the hotels and casinos, many of which are right out of an old west movie: Wild Bill’s, the Mineral Palace, Hickok’s, the Silverado, the Gold Dust, the Four Aces...

We decide to have lunch at the Deadwood Mountain Grand. I have an enormous burger dubbed “The Pounder,” two patties, bacon, cheese, a mountain of steak fries, and cole slaw... it probably satisfied my protein requirements for an entire week.

I sat watching the rain, now coming down steadily, which spattered on the concrete deck and dripped from the patio umbrellas, tables and chairs.

A quick video presentation came to my mind:

Alan: Hi! We’re here at the 2011 South Dakota Book Festival in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Sammie: Alan has never been to Deadwood before, and felt some concern that he wouldn’t fit in.

Alan: So last night, we watched an episode of “Deadwood” on HBO, so we could learn to talk like authentic Deadwoodians.

Sammie: Deadwoodians?

Alan: Yup. So from this point on, we’re gonna speak Deadwoodese.

Hi, again! We’re here at the BEEPing 2011 South Dakota BEEPing Festival of the BEEPing Book, here in BEEPing Deadwood, South BEEPing Dakota.

Sammie: Uh... I thought you were just going to do the accent...?

Alan: We’re gonna get to hear a bunch of BEEPing presentations by BEEPing authors such as Richard BEEPing Curtis, Sandra BEEPing Dallas, and, of course, that BEEPsucker, Joe Marshall the BEEPing Third.

Sammie: I really don’t think this is gonna work.

At any rate, after lunch, we went to where the book sale was being held, and I talked to several of the authors who were at their book tables. My wife, as expected, ended up buying five or six books.

After that we intended to go to another venue to hear a presentation by another author, but parking was absolutely impossible to find (ed. note: Most of the venues for the presentation were not handicapped accessible, a requirement that is put aside when it's a historical landmark, as most of Deadwood seems to be designated. We could not attend the workshops with our wheelchair-bound friend, which is a shame because it all looked interesting and fun). We drove around the block so many times that I made the comment that I was starting to feel like a comet.

We ended up driving out to the Four Aces Casino to get a Starbucks, then parked in the main parking garage downtown and went up and down main street looking at the various shops... in the rain.

At 6pm it was back to the Deadwood Mountain Grand, where dinner was being served for all the festivalgoers -- buffalo stew, various fruits, soda bread rolls, berry compote and mini cheesecakes. It was quite good.

Following dinner, the main event began. First, the South Dakota Humanities Council presented their Distinguished Achievement in the Humanities awards to the following recipients:

South Dakota Magazine, represented by its publisher, Bernie Hunhoff
Craig Howe of the American Indian Cultures Task Force
Linda Hasselstrom, author of 13 books on life in South Dakota
The City of Deadwood, represented by Mayor Francis Toscana
The Deadwood Historic Preservation Society, represented by commission chairperson Ronda Feterl.

Finally, Leroy "J.R." LaPlante, who was recently named by Gov. Dennis Daugaard as the state’s Secretary of Tribal Relations, which is a new position in the governor's cabinet, got up to introduce the evening’s main speaker, Joseph Marshall III. His introduction seemed almost as long as Marshall’s entire speech, and my wife and I joked with each other afterward that LaPlante used the expression “without further ado” three separate times during his introduction... when you say “without further ado,” you’re supposed to be done!

At any rate, Joe Marshall was excellent. He talked about having been raised by his maternal grandmother to be the kind of man that a Lakota is supposed to be. He spoke of his love of the traditional Lakota ways, and the fact that he makes bows and arrows in the traditional manner.

He went on to talk about the initial efforts to get his book, “The Lakota Way,” published, explaining that his agent at the time had set up meetings for him with four different literary agents on the same afternoon in New York City; he flew in, delivered the elaborate presentation that he had put together to pitch the book, which at that time was to be titled “Let The Wind Blow Through You,” to the four agents at four different locations, then back on a plane to head home.

As it turned out, a bidding war began between two of the publishers, and before he even got home, his wife was on the phone to him with the good news that he had a publishing contract.

He said that he had been mulling over the idea of a book on Crazy Horse for some time; he is one of Marshall’s heroes, and one of the ultimate examples of what a Lakota man should be. Knowing this, his wife told Joe’s agent, “Tell the publisher that Joe wants to do a book on Crazy Horse too.” That was the extent of the pitch for what eventually became “The Journey Of Crazy Horse” -- and the publisher bought that book as well, even though there was nothing to it yet but Marshall’s thoughts.

Marshall began his talk by saying, “They have this listed as a “lecture,” but I don’t want to call it a lecture -- that would imply that I know something, and the only thing I really know is that I don’t know anything.”

In a brief Q&A session at the end, someone asked Marshall what qualities of Crazy Horse he would like to see in our leaders today, and he responded, “humility.” I think that Joe Marshall himself is an example of that quality as well. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him speak and hope I have another such opportunity in the future.

More of the world's tallest tipi building

2011-08-22T20:57:00.001-07:00

Those keeping an eye on this blog may have noticed that I've been adding photos of the progress of the new Lakota Studies building every week as construction continues. Today a 22-ton crane was delivered to the Antelope Lake campus for the construction of the top of the tipi, and onlookers watched in amazement from throughout the campus as the tops of the tipi poles were put in place to crown the giant tipi. Poles from the tipi could even be seen from the Main Campus two miles away.

photos taken on August 22, 2011

photos by Mary RedOwl-Begay

There is discussion of having the new SGU Lakota Studies building measured and recorded in the

Guinness Book of World Records for the World's Largest Functioning Tipi Building when it's complete. A larger tipi is already in place in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, with a sculpture topping 20 stories high. However, since it is not an actual building, SGU's building may qualify as the world's largest tipi-shaped building.

A large metal eagle feather sculpture will be added to the top tipi poles when the construction of this section of the building is completed. The eagle feather sculpture was designed and built by Ted Bordeaux of White River, who also plays steel guitar for many SGU functions such as Graduation, Founders' Week and the Annual Elder's Holiday Dinner.

Sinte Gleska University's 39th Annual Commencement next weekend

2011-08-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

Sinte Gleska University invites the families, friends and public to the 39th Annual Graduation Ceremony on Friday, August 26th, 2011, at Wakinyan Wanbli Multipurpose Student Center in Mission, SD. Ninety-three students will receive diplomas and certificates and have an eagle feather tied on at this year's ceremony. The theme of this year's graduation is Oyate, nahan, tiwahe, nahan wayawaki lena wounspe iyoglog iglubli hecapi nahan tokatakiya wicozani gluha iyuskinyan manipelo (Enhancing Individual, Family and Nation through Education and Culture.)

Graduation Day will begin with a Sunrise Ceremony at 8:00 AM on the grounds of the Wakinyan Wanbli Multipurpose Building, followed by the Purification of the MP Building. At 10:00 AM the dedication of the Business/Education Building grounds will occur east of hte MP Building. At 11:00 AM the University will conduct a Wiping of the Tears Ceremony in the MP Building gymnasium. Grand Entry for the Graduation Ceremony is at 1:00 PM.

This year Sinte Gleska University is honored to have Secretary Arne Duncan of the U.S. Department of Education and Larry EchoHawk, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs as Keynote Speakers. Other dignitaries in attendance will be U.S. Congresswoman Kristi Noem, Director of the Bureau of Education, Keith Moore; Acting Director of the White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities, Bill Mendoza; and retired Publisher and Founder of the Native Sun Times and nationally-syndicated columnist, Tim Giago.

Following the graduation ceremony a meal will be served for all those attending the graduation. Sinte Gleska University students, staff, faculty and graduates would be honored if all will attend this celebration of our graduates. Thank you for your support of Sinte Gleska University!

New SGU Lakota Studies Building under construction

2011-07-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

SGU staff and administrators were treated to a welcome sight this week as the construction crew began putting in beams for the walls and roof. The hundred foot high steel tipi will make the Lakota Studies building the tallest on the University's Antelope Lake campus. After an especially rainy spring and summer, many despaired of the building being completed on time as the construction company continually battled flood waters and mud while trying to build the basement.

Adding photos of progress weekly:

Photo taken on July 29, 2011

Photo taken on Aug. 5, 2011

Photo taken on August 15, 2011

SGU Campus in summer time

2011-07-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

Visit the SGU Bookstore this week to see sage bundles hung from the eaves outdoors to dry. The SGU Bookstore sells several locally grown and harvested plants for use in ceremonies, cooking and personal care.

Seen outside the SGU Library, a bird has made a new home on the knotted metal sculpture (or maybe the nest was simply relocated to a more visible spot?) The Library was recently given a little makeover with fresh paint and new carpeting.

SGUTube adding more videos every day

2010-09-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

By Sammie Bordeaux
SGU's Media Guru, Jim Cortez, has added some new videos to the SGU YouTube channel, a two-part video of SGU adjunct instructor Peter Gibbs teaching Todd County Middle School students about life inside a tipi. Both videos are about 8 minutes long and available in high definition format.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6og_89w6bbU

Cortez has been creating videos for SGU for the past three years and making them available via YouTube with an SGU YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/sintegleskautube Most SGU events are covered by Cortez and edited and made available quickly to viewers. Videos include the SGU Founders' Day activities, the SGU frybread video, Lakota elder Albert White Hat speaking about Lakota women's roles, and even a teaching-related video featuring SGU Human Services Chair, Sheryl Klein, developed to help students understand Service Learning.

Cortez has been working on the past 38 years' worth of video and film created by the University media staff, trying to digitize it and make it available via YouTube and/or through DVDs. Cortez believes that the video collection of Sinte Gleska University could be used to raise money for the University through sales of rare and never-seen videos that the University owns. The value of these videos, he believes, lies in their research potential for students and faculty of SGU and other academic institutions.

Additionally, the SGU YouTube channel offers potential students the opportunity to see what's available at Sinte Gleska University in terms of technology, classes, and people. Many will find that SGU is a place like no other in its course offerings, expertise on the Lakota way of life, and the availability of the knowledge and wisdom of Lakota elders.

Faculty Development Workshop September 17

2010-09-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

SGU's Policy Institute is hosting a faculty development workshop on September 17 at 10 AM at the Student Services Building on the Antelope Lake Campus. Titled "Blogs, wikis, IMs, Facebooks, YouTube, and Second Life: Technology in the Grounded Classroom," this is the second time this workshop has been offered to SGU faculty.

SGU Faculty who are confused about technology or just want a refresher-course can sign up with Marlies White Hat at the SGU Policy Institute or with Mary Henson-Saunders at the SGU Arts & Sciences Building to attend this workshop. You must sign up to attend the workshop to ensure enough workshop materials and food are available for all.

Science/Math Knowledge Bowl upcoming

2010-09-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

Sinte Gleska University's ongoing Science and Math Knowledge Bowl will continue this fall, challenging students and parents alike to recall all their knowledge of math and science on-the-spot to win prizes.

Prizes up to $1000 (plus pizza and pop) are available to those who attend, and anyone is eligible to win the prizes for answering science and math-related questions.

Quiz No. 27 will be held September 14 at 5:00 PM at the SGU Multipurpose Building Commons Area at 5:00 PM. For more information contact Dr. Subodh Singh, 605-856-8215 at the SGU Technology Building. This event is sponsored by SD-EPSCoR.

SGU Graduation August 27, 2010

2010-08-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

Sinte Gleska University Land Curriculum Camp combines cultural learning with fun for children

2010-08-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

By Sammie Bordeaux
Sinte Gleska University’s Institute of Tribal Lands hosted two sleepover camps this summer designed to teach children about tribal land issues.
Vernon “Ike” Schmidt, Director of the SGU Institute of Tribal Lands, designed the camps with help from Lydia Whirlwind Soldier, who wrote a Land Curriculum that was presented to children at the camps. Forty-six children from the Rosebud Area attended the camps, held in Spring Creek Community, participating in archery, fishing, swimming, Lakota language instruction, biology and environmental science, cultural and spiritual activities, and fun.
Camp counselors included Schmidt, who took students fishing and swimming and directed the camp; Gerald Lang, SGU Environmental Sciences professor, who taught biology and earth-friendly living; Jackie White Bird, resident of Spring Creek and Lakota language instructor, who taught the language component of the camp; Wes Luxon, who taught archery; and Sam High Crane, who taught the spirituality and culture.
Students from nearly every community on the reservation attended the camp, enjoying living outdoors while learning about the land and their responsibility toward Unci Maka.
Lydia Whirlwind Soldier wrote the land curriculum that was taught at the camp, integrating science, Lakota language and values and spirituality with the culture and responsibility Lakota people have toward the land. Sponsored by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, the curriculum addresses the need for the younger generations of Lakota to understand and take care of the earth. The curriculum is available at the SGU Institute of Lands, located behind the SGU Library on the main SGU campus.
The Institute of Tribal Lands partnered with the RST Suicide Prevention Program, Circle of HOpe at St. Francis Mission, The Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud, and Wiconi Wakan to host the camp. The two camps were held June 23-25 and July 26-28. A third camp was planned, but funding was short after unexpected expenses arose from the first two camps.
Schmidt said, “What we want to do is get more young people introduced to the reservation, the culture, the land, the environment and while we are doing that we also want to focus on wellness issues because of the suicide rate and because of diabetes. So, during our camp we had exercises. We had plenty of stuff to keep them moving. We did the curriculum part. Jerry handled the biology and environmental sciences component to it. We used Jackie Whitebird who added a lot of the cultural component, Lakota language. Sam High Crane added a lot of cultural, the songs and the language, the wolakota part.”
Students spent time keeping journals as part of their camp experience, and each day ended with a Talking Circle to discuss the day’s activities and what was learned. Students who had never particpated in cultural activities such as smudging and greeting each other as relatives were given an insight into their culture that they had not seen before.
Schmidt said, “I talked about a lot of historical stuff, how we derived our land base. The first time it was really identified in the 1851 treaty. They started carving and carving to where we are at today. I just wanted to give them a real broad basis and history of lands we had and now what tribal land enterprises is doing to regain our land base.”
Jackie White Bird focused on the Lakota language, teaching children how to greet each other as relatives and how to pray each morning and evening.
The Talking Circle was used to help children learn to talk to each other without conflict, expressing their feelings about suicide, death of family members, what encourages them and what changes they wanted to make.
The camp ended with a buffalo feed using bison meat from the SGU Bison Ranch. Children were awarded t-shirts as well.

Schmidt says the camps were a success and hopes to offer more next year. (photos by Jim Cortez and Gerald Lang)

Sinte Gleska University announces partnership with Mitchell Technical Institute to bring Wind Turbine Maintenance program to Rosebud area residents

2010-08-19T07:34:00.001-07:00

By Sammie Bordeaux
Sinte Gleska University has partnered with Mitchell Technical Institute to train students in maintaining wind turbines, more of which are popping up all over the area as the power inherent in the wind is finally being capitalized in this area as an alternative energy source.
Rosebud Sioux Tribe is preparing to vote on signing an agreement with Citizens Wind from Boston, MA, to build a large wind turbine farm costing about $418 million between the Rosebud Reservation and White River, which makes the program at SGU both timely and useful for students looking for good jobs in the area so they don’t have to leave the reservation after graduation.
An announcement on the Mitchell Technical Institute website gives potential students more information about the program.
What is this program all about?
Mitchell Technical Institute (MTI) and Sinte Gleska University (SGU) have partnered to bring a new education and training opportunity. This program will allow qualified students to enroll in the MTI Wind Turbine Technology diploma program and complete the classes on the SGU campus. This training will provide the skills and knowledge needed for employment as an entry level technician for commercial wind turbines.
The program includes a combination of SGU classes, MTI classes delivered via two-way video, and MTI classes taught on the SGU campus by teachers contracted by MTI. There are also some requirements that will be completed on the MTI campus or at some other field location but these will typically be done during day-trips off-campus. Students successfully completing this 39 credit program will be awarded a diploma in Wind Turbine Technology by MTI.
Students must meet MTI admissions requirements and complete the MTI application and enrollment process to participate in this program. Enrollment is limited to 10 students during the 2010-11 school year. Students are registered as MTI students and will pay MTI tuition and fees although the majority of the program will be conducted on the SGU campus. Students must meet MTI academic requirements for successful program completion and comply with policies and procedures set forth in the MTI Student Handbook.
How do I apply?
You can complete an online MTI application online by clicking on this link. Once MTI receives your application we will contact you regarding the next steps in the enrollment process.
Are there any special requirements for this program?
Students need to be comfortable working at heights (up to 300 feet) and they will complete special climbing safety and rescue training. Additionally, industry and safety considerations require a drug and alcohol pre-screening to be done during the first week of classes. Students are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing throughout the program. The consequences for alcohol or drug use could result in dismissal from the program and details are contained in the MTI Student Handbook.
What will I learn?
At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
Demonstrate OSHA-required safety while ascending and descending a 60’ lattice tower.
Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanical, electrical, and control systems and sub-systems common to modern wind turbines.
Demonstrate basic troubleshooting skills required to maintain a wind turbine.
Demonstrate and understand basic rigging required to maintain a wind turbine.
Identify major components associated with a modern wind turbine.
Demonstrate the concept of tower rescue.
Complete OSHA 10-hour training.
Obtain First Aid / CPR certification.
When do classes start?
Fall semester classes start on August 30, 2010 and end December 22. The spring semester begins January 5, 2011 and ends May 6.
What classes will I take?
Click here for the program of study and classes.
Who will teach the classes?
Classes will be taught by Wind Turbine Technology Instructors from the MTI campus as well as SGU instructors and instructors or lab assistants hired by MTI to teach on the SGU Campus.
Who issues the diploma for successful program completion?
The diploma is issued by MTI.
What is the cost?
The cost for this two-semester program is approximately $8,900 for tuition, fees, books and tools. Enrolled students may apply for federal financial aid and MTI and SGU are working with several agencies to obtain additional funding to assist students with program costs. Support is also being provided through a Community-Based Job Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor awarded to MTI in February 2009.
Who do I contact for more information?
John Heemstra, MTI Outreach Coordinator, (605) 995-7204 or (800) 684-1969, or email john.heemstra@mitchelltech.edu

Sinte Gleska University will be registering students for these classes in the upcoming weeks of registration at the SGU campus. For more information in the local area, contact Jack Herman, SGU Registrar and William Hay, SGU Financial Aid Director.

(Information for this article from the Mitchell Technical Information website)

SGU Greenhouse partners with local Extension offices to emphasize sustainable living with gardening, food preservation workshops

2010-08-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

By Sammie Bordeaux
Sinte Gleska University’s Greenhouse has undergone some transformation this year as tragic events forced the near closure of the Green house following the death of former Green house director, Kim Wilczinski. In the absence of a qualified director, University administrators feared they would have to close the Green house in early spring.
The Greenhouse has been an active force in the community for the past seven years, providing seedlings and trees to local gardeners and valuable research and science-demonstration opportunities for science instructors at the University. Operated under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Extension Grants program, the Green house has been a boon to the community as focus on gardening, sustainable living and wellness has bloomed across the Rosebud.
Working with Wilzinski’s husband, Dave Weisser, the administration found Carmelita Sully, SGU Environmental Sciences major, to take over the management of the Green house temporarily. Sully says she is a veteran of gardening after years of living on the “Sully Farm and Ranch” in White River. Sully is the daughter of Claude and Rose Sully of Okreek Community, who together raised 14 children, partly by growing and raising their own food. Sully’s hard work through the spring and summer brought the SGU Greenhouse one of its most productive and profitable growing seasons ever.
Gardening doesn’t just stop at planting and harvesting food, says Sully, who has a dual purpose of providing the tools and assistance to gardeners but also education in gardening, nutrition and wellness. She has coordinated with local Extension offices to provide canning and food dehydrating workshops for local people, providing all the materials needed for families to grow and preserve their own food to save money and live healthier lives. In June and July, Sully spent several days planting flowerbeds across the SGU Main Campus, both to advertise the services of the Greenhouse and to beautify the campus to make it a more welcoming environment for students, staff and community members and tourists who visit.
Sully worked with Donna Adrian, master gardener and extension agent from White River, to till and plant four community gardens in Antelope, St. Francis, Okreek and Parmelee. She also coordinates her efforts with Rachel Lindvall, Todd County Extension Agent, and Ann Schwader, Gregory County Extension Agent. Because SGU is a 1984 Land Grant Institution, South Dakota State University’s Extension Program has offered technical assistance to SGU. This comes in the form of help from local extension agents and the donation of another green house for the University to expand their gardening efforts.
“We’re really interested in helping people get back to healthier living because we can’t always afford to buy what we need from the grocery store, and the food isn’t always what’s best for us either,” says Sully. The addition of local food and a beautiful campus addresses both the physical and mental health of local residents.
Sully has plans to offer more workshops on harvesting seeds, tree and shrub pruning and growing and harvesting traditional medicinal plants in the future. Sully also hopes to plant a garden at the University and preserve the food for use in the SGU Student Lounge for their lunch program. Far in the future, Sully would like to see a horticulture program at the University to further aid local people in sustainable living and education. “I’m learning a lot about lots of different plants, every day I’m learning more, like about what plants do well here and how to
The Green house hosted a Canning Workshop on August 12 at the SGU Multipurpose Building. Twenty participants learned how to preserve food in two ways, using a hot bath canner and using a pressure cooker. Participants learned about food safety as well. The workshop was presented by Ann Schwader, Gregory County Extenion Agent. Participants received a free hot bath canner, information on canning, and all the materials needed to can their own food from their gardens from the SGU Green house.
A workshop on food dehydration using solar paneled food dehydrators built by Sully and Adrian and the Green house staff will be held August 19 at the SGU Multipurpose Building at 5:00 PM. A workshop on tree pruning will be held August 31 at the SGU Main Campus. For more information contact Carmelita Sully at the SGU Green house.
Greenhouse staff working with Sully are Brandy Guerue, Matthew Sully, Maria Valandra, and Ty Wilczinski.

USD and SGU join to provide Summer GAIn-IT Camp: Uniting community with computers and Lakota language

2010-08-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

By Sammie Bordeaux
Sinte Gleska University hosted a summer computer camp in July in partnership with the University of South Dakota and EROS Data Center of Sioux Falls. This is the second year of the camp which is designed to introduce Native students to opportunities in computer science while working with tribal families in strengthening and preserving the Lakota language.
Twenty-four middle and high school students attended this year’s camp, learning to use software designed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop short animated cartoons telling stories in the Lakota language. Families participated in the camp as they could. Staff of the camp included faculty and students from both SGU and USD.
“I’m very, very pleased with the outcome of this camp,” said Ione Quigley, SGU Lakota Studies faculty member, who coordinates the camp with Dr. Asai Athaimbi at USD. “Technologically, this is very important, and we need for our younger generations to realize and use the language. The learning wasn’t just one way. The students helped us learn as well.”
Speaking in front of the students and families at the awards ceremony on July 29, Quigley encouraged the students to continue learning and developing both their projects and their fluency in their native language, saying that the experiences they gained at the GAIN-It camp would be invaluable in future endeavors and for use on their college applications and resumes.
SGU President Lionel Bordeaux also encouraged the students to continue their education, and told the group he was proud and surprised at the kind of work they were doing in the camp. “I see something here that is really our foundation and our future. The missing ingredient in what we’re trying to do with language and

technology is here with you young people. We need to do this all year round, not just once a year. We know you will continue to be a very significant part of our education for the future,” he said.
The camp is sponsored through a grant from the National Science Foundation titled “Getting American Indians to Information Technology” (GAIn-IT). The three-year grant seeks to bring more Native students into the computer science field.
The grant aims to encourage American Indians to pursue an education in Information Technology (IT) by overcoming several barriers:
• lack of opportunities to link IT to a cultural context
• lack of adequate access to higher education within the American Indian Community
• lack of background preparation including math skills
• lack of resources, especially computers, at home
• lack of career opportunities available in computing
• lack of encouragement from family and friends
• Limited faculty resources in computing at tribal institutions
Dr. Asaithambi points out the importance of bringing USD resources to the tribal community to lower the barrier for entry into the program. Here are the subprojects proposed in the grant:
• community-based summer camp for families to provide opportunities to explore context-based computing activities focused on Lakota language skills development and land resources exploration
• summer background preparation program for high school students preparing them for computing majors in college
• school-year follow-up of the summer background preparation program
• computing-major readiness program for SGU freshmen and sophomores
• distance-education and web-based USD computing courses to help SGU students complete undergraduate degrees in computing
• 3-2 B.S./M.S. transfer program in computing for SGU students
• faculty development program for SGU faculty members to obtain master’s and/or Ph.D. degrees in computing at USD
The first week of the camp concentrated on high school age students, who worked to develop their projects and learned how to use the software, Scratch, developed by MIT. The second week of the camp focused on high school students mentoring younger students in developing their own projects. The two-weeks culminated in an awards ceremony and field trip, with students receiving first, second or third place awards for their work on their projects. Students traveled to the EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls to visit the museum there and learn more about the work EROS does with satellite imaging and geolocation.
According to Dr. Asaithaimbi, the grant is designed to provide a computing-major readiness program for SGU freshmen and sophomores; distance education and Web-based USD computing courses to aid SGU students in completing their undergraduate degrees in computing; a development program for SGU faculty members to obtain a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in computing at USD; and an opportunity for SGU students to enroll as computer science majors, including a combination of SGU and USD courses, and earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years.
“Our goal is to increase participation of the people of the tribes in computing so that they become more self-sufficient in the long run, while providing a larger base for the future information technology workforce for the entire United States,” Asaithambi said.
SGU has one student, Bud Poor Bear, currently working toward a master’s degree in computer science at SGU and USD through the GAIn-IT grant at USD. Through the program Poor Bear takes online classes while working and teaching at SGU, receiving help through the program in the form of mentoring from USD and a scholarship to help with tuition. Poor Bear is scheduled to receive his master’s degree next year.
There will be a third year of the GAIn-IT Camp at SGU. Next year’s camp promises to be even larger, with the camp growing by 100% each year. The third year will mark the final year of the project, though Dr. Asaithambi expressed hope that another grant could help make the program go on longer.
Staff at the camp included: Dr. Assai Asaithambi, Chair of the Computer Science Department at the University of South Dakota; Ione Quigley, SGU Lakota Studies Department faculty; Kalpana Prajapati, graduate student in computer science at USD; Abul Shaifullah, graduate student in computer science at USD; Meredith Kills In Water, Lakota language mentor at SGU; Jackie White Bird, Lakota language mentor at SGU; Bud Poor Bear, graduate student in computer science at SGU/USD.

Students who won awards at the camp were:
High-School Winners:
First Place: Keith Whipple (Team of 1); Cassidy Bordeaux (Team of 1).
Second Place: Sheridan (Sinclair) Broken Leg (Team of 1); Bridget Aeschbacher, Maddison Engel, Shaydel Engel (Team of 3).
Third Place: Bradley Covey (Team of 1).

Middle-School Winners:
First Place: Grayson Bordeaux, Ryan Long Warrior (Team of 2).
Second Place: Zachary Broken Leg (Team of 1).

SGU's Main Campus receives some polishing over the summer

2010-08-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

By Sammie Bordeaux
Sinte Gleska University’s campus is receiving a mini-makeover this summer as staff and faculty work with local volunteers to make the campus bloom.
Several issues arose in the spring semester involving an influx of pigeons roosting roofs in the Science Center and Art Institute buildings. The pigeons were evacuated from the eaves of the buildings using bobble head dolls and cleaning of the buildings commenced. Staff and faculty in both buildings were concerned that the droppings from the birds were drying and getting into the building ventilation systems, causing allergic reactions and sickness in students, faculty and staff.
Julia Cahill, Student Support Services Counselor whose office is based in the SGU Science Center, also initiated a makeover of the building, asking SGU Maintenance to help clean and paint the interior. The building was built in 1972, and aging electrical wiring, plumbing and continuous use by students has taken its toll on the building. Windows will be repaired and iron security mesh added to the exterior of the windows, as several break-ins have resulted in loss of equipment and University property. Cahill went a bit further by asking Carmelita Sully of the SGU Greenhouse to plant a flower bed outside the building.
Sully, director of the SGU Greenhouse, worked at several locations on the main campus this summer planting flowers and bulbs to add some color to the campus lawns. The SGU Bookstore, Main Campus sign area, and SGU Science Center all received new flower beds with Sully’s help and the help of volunteers like Donna Adrian, Master Gardener from White River, who has been working with Sully all summer to improve the Greenhouse and beautify the campus. (More on Sully and Adrian on page 12).
The SGU Transportation Department also joined in with the campus beautification project, planting wildflowers and perennials in flowerbeds outside the Transportation Trailer this spring and maintaining the watering and care of the flowerbeds all summer in between carting students to campus three times daily. The Transportation Crew includes: Delores Barron, Dave Delgarito, Elroy Two Strike, Keith Larvie, Bub Larvie and Garfield Leader Charge.
The SGU Science Club worked with SGU Environmental Science instructor, Gerry Lang, to build a medicine-wheel shaped flower bed on the side of the campus facing Highway 18 next to the Lakota Studies buildings. The medicine wheel advertises the four directions, the logo of the University and the importance of life grown within the medicine wheel.
The Scott Bordeaux Leadership Institute received a new picnic table and has a second year of thriving rose bushes and other fauna in its flowerbeds, planted by the late Kim Wilczinski, former Greenhouse director.
In working to provide education to one of the poorest communities in the country, SGU doesn’t always have the money to do more than maintain the buildings and grounds to ensure safety. The help of volunteers, students, faculty and staff helps to keep the campus a welcome and attractive place for students and community members to come to for education, social activities and professional assistance.

Sinte Gleska University welcomes Sam Deloria as 38th Annual Commencement Speaker

2010-08-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

By Sammie Bordeaux
Sinte Gleska University’s 38th Annual Commencement ceremony is being held Friday, August 27, 2010, at the SGU Multipurpose Building east of Mission, South Dakota. Ninety-four graduates will receive diplomas in Lakota studies, business, education, human services, nursing and vocational education. This year’s guest speaker is Philip “Sam” Deloria, director of the American Indian Graduate Center. Vivian Arviso, former Director of Tribal Education from Navajo Nation and former Miss Indian America, will also serve as a speaker at the SGU Commencement this year.
Deloria, a graduate of Yale University School of Law, worked for 35 years as the Director of the American Indian Law Center, Inc. at the University of New Mexico, where his work on the analysis of Federal Indian Policy helped define the role of tribal governments in the federal system. Now serving as Director of the American Indian Graduate Center, Deloria is positioned to help American Indian college graduates attain graduate degrees in an economic era of shrinking scholarship and fellowship assistance.
“We’re happy to welcome Sam to speak to our graduates because the message he gives to students is that they are not victims of multi-generational grief, but people with opportunities to get an education and help their tribal people. That’s the kind of message our graduates can take and build on, and with Sam’s encouragement I’m sure this will be one of the best keynotes we’ve ever had at our commencement,” said SGU President Lionel Bordeaux.
He went on, “We’re proud of our graduates and the work they’ve undertaken to achieve their degrees,” said SGU President Lionel Bordeaux. “It’s not an easy thing to go to college under the conditions many of our students face while living in sometimes severe poverty. Tribal college students climb higher walls to achieve what they achieve so that they can make a better life for themselves, and we honor them for their hard work and achievements as graduates of Sinte Gleska University.”
Commencement will begin at 1:00 PM with a Grand Entry, followed by opening prayers by Stanley Red Bird, Sr., and Keynote Address by Sam Deloria. President Bordeaux will award the diplomas, followed by a ceremony to tie on the eagle feathers each graduate has earned. A community meal will be served after the ceremony.

Welcome to SGU News

2010-08-19T06:58:00.000-07:00

This blog is a site to hold stories about Sinte Gleska University written by Sammie Bordeaux, SGU Student Support Services English Instructor, and by various others (students, staff, faculty). The blog serves as a place to hold stories which are linked through Facebook to a group of people interested in news about SGU.

I am not the "official" news person at SGU, it's more of a role I'm assuming due to the lack of an official news person at SGU. Hence, this blog is run by a volunteer, though I do have a contract with the SGU Land Institute to write, design and publish a quarterly newsletter, Makoce Wounspe (Land Education Newsletter).

I'll cover news about the University, campus and students until I'm told to stop. Of course, I will not publish anything that actually brings harm to the University, campus or students. I'm only interested in reporting the news to keep people informed and to create a record of the events and stories at Sinte Gleska University. I've been writing for and about the University since about 1990, sometimes as a part of my job and sometimes as a reporter for other newspapers, and sometimes just because it's been my interest for the past 20 years.

If you have questions or comments, you can post them on the blog posts. Comments will be moderated, but I believe in free speech. Comments that are constructive will remain on the post. Trolling comments will be deleted. Libelous statements will also be deleted unless proof of such statements can be authenticated. You can contact me through the blog.