Funeral services for 65-year old David Brave Heart are Tues, April 18, 2023 at 10:00 at Brother Rene Hall in Oglala, SD, with traditional Lakota services by Mr Mike Carlow Jr
Burial is in the Brave Heart Family Cemetery in Pine Ridge, SD
A one-night wake service starts Monday, April 17, at 3:00 at Brother Rene Hall in Oglala.
Online condolences may be left at siouxfuneralhome.com
David Allen Brave Heart “Mahpiya Ska” was born on October 27, 1957 in Watford City, ND to Basil Albert Brave Heart and Deolores Iva (Hopkins) Brave Heart. David made his journey to the Spirit World surrounded by his family on April 11, 2023 in Mankato, MN.
David graduated from Chisago City High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD.
He worked as a PE teacher and coach on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, then later was a cultural consultant in Minnesota for American Indian prison inmates, focusing on sobriety, healing, lowering recidivism rates, and supporting cultural identity.
Still later, David owned Brave Heart Construction in Colorado, where he practiced and taught natural building techniques, including straw bale construction.
Dave also loved his work as a Prevention Specialist with Tribal Tech, LLC, a Native American female-owned small business dedicated to providing better health, security, and well-being for all.
Dave married Sara Chaffee in September 2000 in Taylors Falls, MN, and the couple moved to Makato, MN, in 2011 and were an active part of the Mankato community to the end.
Dave served as Treasurer of the Mankato Reconciliation Pow Wow from 2012-2016 and as Chairman from 2016-2022. He was a former member of St John’s Episcopal Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and was also active in Dakota/Lakota culture and spirituality.
His hobbies and interests included making drums, playing the Native American cedar flute, fishing, gardening, beekeeping, woodworking, cooking, grilling, baking, and remodeling.
Some of Dave’s most treasured accomplishments included working in prevention and healing with Native American people. He was a traditional singer, which encouraged his 48 years of sobriety.
David is survived by his wife, Sara Brave Heart of Mankato; children Michael White of Bemidji, MN; Gerald (Alexis) Veaux of Winnebago, MN; Cyrus Brave Heart of Mankato; and Clementine Brave Heart of Mankato; grandchildren Kie, Sean, Alaina, Lincoln, and Amayah; father and step-mother Basil and Charlotte Brave Heart of Pine Ridge, SD; and siblings Carla (Bill) Gaseoma, Robert (Evaleen) Brave Heart, Maggie (Rob) Cole, Connie (Benny) Moreno, Stacy Brave Heart, and Stephanie Drake.
He was preceded in death by his mother Dolores Miller; and son, Cedar Brave Heart.
Pallbearers will be BJ Brave Heart, Brandon Brave Heart, Amery Brave Heart, Forrest Bugg, Shawn Bugg, Walt Swan Jr, Nick Gibbons, and Mac Goings.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Tribal Tech LLC Staff, Mankato Wacipi Committee, 38+2 Memorial Riders, The City of Mankato, and All Friends & Relatives
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD