Flags on the Pine Ridge Reservation are flying at half-staff this week in honor of the passing of two past leaders of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
71-year old former President Theresa “Huck” Two Bulls and 82-year old Tribal Council member from Oglala Paul Little have both passed away in recent days.
In issuing the proclamation, outgoing President Julian Bear Runner said Two Bulls and Little have been very instrumental in tribal government for many years.
Two Bulls was elected tribal president in 2008, four years after becoming a state senator and the first Native American woman elected to the South Dakota legislature
She was an advocate for mental health and improving infrastructure on the reservation, securing funds for 2 road projects and tribal housing as well as for an ambulance and law enforcement.
Paul Little led several tribal council committees over the year, including the Land Committee and was instrumental in securing funding for the $20 million Prairie Wind Casino and Hotel.
Little was Director of the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System from 1992-95 and was presented with the prestigious federal Bureau of Reclamation Citizens Participation Award for his many contributions to the Mni Wiconi water project, both as Director of the OSRWSS and as a council representative.