Oglala Sioux leader Gerald One Feather dies

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Oglala Sioux leader Gerald One Feather dies
7:55 AM Monday Aug 25, 2014

OGLALA, South Dakota (AP) Gerald One Feather, the legendary Oglala Sioux leader, former tribal president and tireless advocate for educational opportunities, has died. He was 76.

Longtime friend Tom Katus told The Associated Press that One Feather died Thursday at a Rapid City hospital. Katus said One Feather had a massive stroke while on dialysis in Pine Ridge before being taken to the hospital.

One Feather was born in 1938 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, one of the poorest places in America, but rose to become a respected tribal leader in and outside of the reservation. He met with U.S. presidents, spoke on behalf of indigenous people before a United Nations group and helped Native Americans enter higher education.

"He was a visionary," Katus said. "But unlike a lot of folks who are visionaries and never accomplish anything, he was very pragmatic and accomplished a great deal."

One Feather was elected Oglala Lakota Tribal President in 1970, making him the youngest to hold that position in tribal history.

Read more: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11313813

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[center]

Gerald One Feather, Senator George McGovern [/center]

Oglala Sioux leader Gerald One Feather dies
August 23, 2014 6:30 am • Tom Griffith Journal staff

OGLALA | On the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, one of the poorest places in America, Gerald One Feather's journey began in a dirt-floored log cabin.

But One Feather started his rise when he went to college and drove a car for a young congressional candidate bound for larger roles, got a boost when he entered tribal politics, gained stature when he met with U.S. presidents and spoke on behalf of indigenous people to a United Nations gathering.

And as a symbol of how far he traveled from that cabin, late in life he received a standing ovation from 40,000 people inspired by his commitment and achievements.

Tributes were pouring into the reservation Friday for One Feather, the legendary Oglala Sioux leader and former tribal president who was revered, respected and sometimes ridiculed for his unyielding stance in support of his people.

One Feather died Thursday evening at a Rapid City hospital. He was 76.

“He’s one of those giant trees, whose falling shakes the entire earth,” said Carrie L. Billy, president and CEO of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, which One Feather helped found. “Throughout it all, Mr. One Feather remained focused on his culture, his spirituality, and service to his people.”

More:
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/oglala-sioux-leader-gerald-one-feather-dies/article_cd3721f4-ae31-5bbd-84bf-e304889324ba.html

[postulater]

1. “He’s one of those giant trees, whose falling shakes the entire earth,”

RIP.

[SamKnause]

2. RIP

[newfie11]

3. RIP

[shenmue]

4. Rest in peace

[ColesCountyDem]

5. ...

[Half-Century Man]

6. Go Elder

Ride across the sea of grass that has past into the wind.

[GentryDixon]

7. RIP

.

[Enthusiast]

8. May he rest in peace.

Thank you, Judi Lynn.

[mikekohr]

9. My son and I met Mr. One Feather in 1994 at International Brotherhood Days

Mr. One Feather was a featured speaker at this goodwill, crosscultural, educational forum. I remember his humor, humility, and straight forward speaking manner. The respect for him by the residents of Pine Ridge was readily apparent.

http://www.brotherhooddays.com/

[Cha]

10. Rest in Peace, Gerald One Feather~

Mahalo Judi Lynn

[defacto7]

11. He lives in the memory or history...

RIP - Gerald One Feather