 |
Hello from a lower level denizen of Dakota Hall. Maybe I've been using that location and title too many times in the past, but it is apropos as the Institute of American Indian Studies continues its operations from here. And I am sincere with the greetings.
December 1997 witnessed quite a bit of personnel change in our offices so I will attempt to update them. Elizabeth Coroiu continues her work as graduate assistant in charge of the South Dakota Oral History Center. She is very much aware of her responsibilities and in the few months she has been with us garnered much praise from those who use materials from our outstanding collection. Elizabeth's office hours are Mondays and Tuesdays, from 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00. If you are planning on using the Oral History Collection, please give her a call and set up an appointment. Though I see her quite often during her non-office hours, I know she appreciates talking to you before-hand and customizing your visit to your convenience and her class schedule. It can be done with a telephone call or email.
This January we welcomed back one of our own from past days. Mr. Shesh Mathur returned to our campus to pursue a computer programming degree. It proved most propitious as Mr. David Deng graduated in December 1997 and left for employment in Kansas City. David performed in an outstanding manner while working here and it is reflected in his obtaining new employment and all the good feelings he left with us. He has written letting us know he likes his new job and misses us.
Shesh brings much enthusiasm and different computer skills to the Institute. We are in the process of rethinking our website with the thought of making it more accessible and user friendly. Several of those new ideas will be posted on our site in the very near future. We welcome Shesh, his wife Amita, and son David back to participate in the Institute tiospaye.
This month Shari Bell begins her student teaching internship before graduating this May. Shari has been with us for many years and her smiling face, attention to detail, and enthusiasm will be sorely missed. The hard part of working in University is making friends with those who matriculate here only to bid them goodbye after four years. But the joy is knowing they've enriched our Institute, University, and our fellow humans. She'll be dropping in on us occasionally so it is not quite crying time yet.
Mrs. Fern Marvin continues work on databasing the American Indian Research Project and South Dakota Oral History Project as well as answering the telephone, keeping track of the director, and making sure we are all engaged in fruitful activities. The Green Thumb program deserves much praise for allowing this wonderful person to work with us.
Mr. Quanah Penn and Mr. Marty Earring have changed from transcription work to helping Shesh and I with the homepage. They've been engaged in learning html and putting their ideas onto the screen for incorporation into the new website format. It is heartening to watch this two young Indian men working together sharing their knowledge to improve themselves. The joy of seeing them come of age and prepare to move into another phase of their life is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We also welcomed aboard Mr. Alfred Nighwalker Jr., and Mr. Alvin Pipe On Head. Alfred is learning the ropes in the Oral History Center, transcribing and getting acquainted with everybody. Mr. Pipe On Head is doing some research in the archives that relate to his family from the Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River homelands. Ursala Kennedy keeps herself busy in the Oral History Center working on some projects with Meg. Mr. Bobby Fox and Christoper Meyer also joined us last semester and continue to work at transcriptions and fill in wherever needed. Mr. Mark Stocki is performing volunteer work in the South Dakota Oral History Center. Mark is finishing his senior year and has proven to be an adept and able assistant to our work. I never forget without our College-work-study, graduate assistants, and volunteers, we would not be able to provide the services that are available. Thank you.
This semester has kept me busy in the classroom. While having to continually update the Native American Thought and Siouan Tribal Culture class, I assumed new responsibilities in designing and teaching the new American Indian History and Culture class. This has proven a tough job for me. Often in the past I've been compelled to overload my students with material from a combined Political Science/Criminal Justice course into my other class responsibilities. With the introduction of the American Indian Studies major and the new introductory class, I now have the luxury of taking that material from my lectures with the full knowledge that students will receive that information in the other courses. For instance, this fall the Political Science department's Dr. David Aronson will teach the American Indian Government and Politics course separately. While pleased to offer the American Indian Studies major here at South Dakota's premier university, we still have a few bugs to work out.
I have some lectures out of state scheduled for the semester that I must also devote time to getting ready. I rely on the Oral History Center for much of my material. I will also be attending the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Advisory Committee's meeting soon. The winning design is currently in the hands of an architecture and engineering company and they are now ready to show their progress on bringing the memorial to fruition to a group from the Interior Department, National Park Service, and the National Park Service Foundation. I believe the meeting is open to the public so once the meeting dates are confirmed I will post them on this site. It has been a long process and I feel good that we will finally have a memorial on the site that commemorates the American Indian's participation in that battle.
I wanted to also continue my thoughts on thanking people from our campus who have contributed to the Institute and University's well-being. Mr. Mike Marek of the University of South Dakota Foundation office never forgets the Institute when he is out visiting potential donors. The Institute has realized many of its goals through funds donated to the foundation. Dr. Leroy Meyer continues to be an asset to the University and its students. I met him many moons ago and he has managed to put up with my antics for all this time. He provides an empathetic shoulder and sounding board to my many ruminations; and keeps my thinking straight on those philosophical bents we often engage in. The world should have friends as good as he has proven to be. Dr. Herbert Hoover has served the Institute, University, state, and nation on many different levels. His outstanding scholarship has enabled him to produce many students and friends who've gone on to receive their terminal degrees, whether Ph.D., Ed.D., or J.D. He has influenced many of us on campus to find the joy in research and writing which in turn enriches us as teachers. I want to give these three people my hearty thanks and good wishes for their continued good health and spirits.
This month brought a bad feeling for me and others when my nephew Mr. Adam Sitting Crow, Jr., passed on. Only 39 years old, mitunska Adam brought much joy to my life. He always had a smile and practiced those old Indian ways, addressing people by relative terms and talking the Sioux language. He was raised the old way, he had respect for others because he knew about our spirituality, our way of life that helped us live in this world. I will miss him, and pray that his mother, family, and all his relatives find peace with his passing.
With these thoughts shared, I leave you thinking good thoughts and feelings for you and yours. I remain, with respect, Mitakuye Oyasin--All My Relatives. Tahunska Tanka
Return to From the Director
Return to Institute mainpage
14 December 1999, lrb