Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Cecelia Fire Thunder

Fire Thunder installed as OST president
By Jomay Steen, Rapid City Journal

KYLE - In front of friends, relatives and other American Indian leaders, Cecelia Fire Thunder vowed to care for, fight for and love her people in a ceremony Saturday that installed her as the first woman president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

In her childhood hometown, wearing traditional dress, she spoke in her first language, Lakota, during most of the program.

When she spoke in English, Fire Thunder said the first word everyone is going to learn is "taku."

"That means 'what,'" Fire Thunder said, meaning she would be responsive to what people wanted.

"When I look around the world and see the oppression and the violence that women face, I thank the creator that I was born in a culture where I have freedom," she said.

Fire Thunder said she was grateful for the freedoms she has had in choices of careers, education and prayer.

"You should be grateful for those freedoms, and don't let those freedoms slip away," she said.

Fire Thunder said it would be her responsibility to care for, love and fight for her people.

"Even though some of you didn't vote for me, that's OK," she said jokingly.

She promised to do all she can to help the tribe. "But I can't do it alone," she said.

Wilma Mankiller, the first woman principal chief of the Oklahoma Band of Cherokee, gave the keynote speech.

"This is a time of change, of renewal and a fresh beginning," Mankiller said. "It is my hope that everyone involved in this election can put aside any lingering disunity and help Cecelia Fire Thunder and all the elected officials with prayer and whatever support they can provide," she said.

It takes a very strong person to step up to leadership in Indian Country, Mankiller said.

"Leadership in our community is not for the faint-hearted. It's not for anyone who always wants people to like them," she said. "Leadership is for those willing to stay focused and to stay strong."

One attribute Mankiller said she admired most about Fire Thunder was her respect for all people, including those who may disagree with her or may be disrespectful.

"She carries herself with honor and with dignity," Mankiller said.

Many people had noted that Fire Thunder would serve as the first woman president, she added.

"I don't think the people elected her because she's a woman. I think they elected her because they believe in her ability to lead and know that she gets up every single day, says a prayer in her own language and goes out to fight for her people," Mankiller said.

Fire Thunder possesses all the characteristics of past warriors and leaders of the Oglala, Mankiller said. "She is respectful, courageous and wise."

Birgil Kills Straight, a relative of Fire Thunder and a tribal elder, presented her with a knife and shield as symbols of the presidential office.

"I recall a long time ago, we grew up in this community," Kills Straight said. "We were happy even though we didn't have anything. We grew up with our grandmothers."

He said that even from their family's humble beginnings, everyone recognized Fire Thunder's leadership qualities.

Winona LaDuke, an enrolled member of the Mississippi Band of Anishinaabeg and a 1996 and 2000 vice presidential candidate to Ralph Nader on the Green Party ticket, stood in a circle watching Alex White Plume, who was installed Saturday as vice president of the tribe, and about 80 Big Foot Riders ride in from the four directions to Little Wound School.

"It's a remarkable day. It's the best inauguration in the country," LaDuke said.

Former president John Yellow Bird Steele, who received 413 votes for a fourth-place finish in the tribe's presidential primary race earlier this year, said he had come to the ceremonies to recognize the new leadership of the Oglala people.

He asked the tribe to give the new administration a chance, to support those elected to office and not to dwell on gossip and divisiveness.

"We are our own greatest enemy," the former OST president said. "I do state that the city of Martin is part of this reservation."

His comment was in reference to a lawsuit filed by tribal presidential challenger Russell Means, who contested Fire Thunder's election victory because her home in Martin lies outside Pine Ridge Indian Reservation boundaries.

White Plume, who has drawn interest in recent years with attempts to grow hemp as a cash crop, organized a ride to commemorate the day and to honor Fire Thunder, as well as those who were elected to the OST council.

As he sat on the stage looking at the audience, he said he pondered the way his family and people lived a century ago.

He spoke of losing his parents. As an orphan, his tiospaye, or extended family, took care of him and his siblings. He was raised in the Lakota way - in his language and his culture - and he would like the community to continue that tradition.

White Plume said Fire Thunder's administration would be strong in the Lakota way and would involve the language, values and culture, he said.

LaDuke concurred, saying, "It's a great day for Pine Ridge."

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com