Native Student Services director recognized for outstanding counseling work
The Dr. George Blue Spruce Jr. Award recognizes an individual that has demonstrated a genuine commitment to the reduction of health disparities; is an advocate of increasing AI/ANs into the health professions; is a strong mentor and serves as a positive role model for AI/AN youth and health professionals. George Blue Spruce Jr., DDS, MPH, is an enrolled member of the Pueblo Tribe (Laguna/Ohkay-Owingeh), is the first recognized American Indian dentist and the first American Indian dentist to hold the title of Assistant Surgeon General.
Thin Elk, a Sic’angu, C’okan-Towela Band, Lakota from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, is the originator of the Red Road Approach – a culturally-based, therapeutic recovery and wellness model based upon Lakota, Dakota and Nakota indigenous cultural life ways and teachings. During the past three decades, Thin Elk has utilized the Red Road Approach in his services consultations, healing and cultural training work with numerous Native Tribal Nations, Corporations, Rancherias and Pueblos, and has advised and consulted with major universities, banks, hospitals, and corporations as well as with the United States Army Psychiatric Hospital and Sanford Health’s Health Disparities Research Center.
As director of Native Student Services at USD, Thin Elk has been recognized nationally and internationally for his exceptional leadership in the field of Native American drug and alcohol rehabilitation, wellness and cross-cultural training. He has been featured in several publications, including Time Magazine’s Top 100 People of the Year, Newsweek’s New American Heroes and as a Who’s Who in Business World Wide.
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