Funeral services for 69-year old Eugene “Gene” Giago are Thurs, June 15, 2023 at 10:00 at the Porcupine School Gymnasium in Porcupine, SD, with traditional Lakota services by Richard Moves Camp
Burial is at the Holy Rosary Mission Catholic Cemetery in Pine Ridge, SD
A two-night wake service starts Tues, June 13, at 2:00 at the Porcupine School Gymnasium with evening services at 7:00 each night.
Online condolences may be left at siouxfuneralhome.com
Eugene “Gene” Giago “Ta Siyo Tanka Ho Tanka” (His Eagle Bone Whistle Is Loud) was born to Joseph and Clara (Irving) Giago on December 16, 1953 in Pine Ridge, SD. He died June 7, 2023
Gene was the youngest child of 11 siblings and spent his early years in the town of Igloo, SD, where his father worked disarming leftover bombs.
At the tender age of 5 years old, he began his academic journey at Holy Rosary Mission in Pine Ridge,. He continued on to OCS and finished the majority of schooling at Marty Mission, where he graduated in 1972.
Gene went on his freshman year at the University of South Dakota but later on decided to come home to Pine Ridge.
He later became involved in the American Indian Movement with his brother, Warren, and they served as Security at many events. The most memorable was “The Longest Walk,” where they protested.
Gene went on to discover the Lakota Way of Life and began to Sundance at the Wiwayang Wacipi. He and his brother later became Sundance Leaders at the TaSunke Wakan Wiwayang Wacipi. Gene danced for 45 plus years.
One of Gene’s most prized possessions and joys of life was his family. With his first wife, JoAnn Pourier, they had 5 beautiful children.
In 2005, he met and married Cindy (Wheeler) Giago. Like Gene, Cindy had five children of her own when she entered into the relationship and together they shared their youngest child and baby.
Gene served an illustrious 30-year career with the United States Government in the Indian Health Service. He began at the Pine Ridge IHS clinic, moved to Albuquerque, NM, and worked at the Santa Fe IHS before ending and his career at Sioux San in Rapid City, SD.
During his retirement years, Gene enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow. He was able to watch a home Notre Dame football game and worked with his brother, Warren, on various construction projects.
Gene was a kind and gentle soul with a very big heart for the Wakanyeja. During the course of his life, he adopted many hunka children.
He always opened his doors and his home to anyone without a place to stay or for those seeking a safe place to lay their heads.
In his early 20’s, Gene met and maintained a lifelong relationship with his best friend and brother, Richard “Rick” Two Dogs.
Rick helped him develop his love and commitment to the Sundance and Sacred Ceremonies. This was a relationship that he cherished to his last day.
Gene would like to express his heartfelt gratitude to all of those people that significantly impacted his life including, Richard Moves Camp and Family.
Eugene is survived by his wife Cindy Giago; daughters Heather (Mike) Giago-Brings Plenty, Jennifer (Vincent) Campbell, Jovannah (Zak) Poor Bear-Adams, Natalynn (Abe Fish) Poor Bear, Jolena (Joseph) Johnston, Alexandria (Ty) Bettelyoun, and Aaliyah Giago; sons, Joseph (Randilynn) Giago, James (April Rendon) Giago, Eugene (Charise Abernathy) Giago Jr, and Forrest (Ilene) Calhoun; siblings Bob Strikes Lightning, Pat (Lucy) Giago, Warren (Penny) Giago, Rick Two Dogs, Vonnie Reynold, Thersa Tibbits, Mary Nephew, and Loretta Giago; grandchildren Anthonie Giago, Celeste Giago, Ashley Ferguson, Celiese Ferguson, Monica Giago, Wicahpi Giago, Ske Luta Giago, Pejuta Giago, Devon Campbell, Gabriel Campbell, Haydon Campbell, Jaimeson Giago, Acea Giago, Daniel Adams, Matthew Adams, Elizabeth Adams, David Adams, Joseph Adams, Kylynn Kensler, Makayla Kensler, Alexander Poor Bear, Jade Fish, Jordan Jackson, Jackson Johnson, Eugene Valentine, Tuff Boucher, Cody Bettelyoun, Kahleesi Bettelyoun, Zeke Bettelyoun, Takoda Calhoun, Ace Calhoun, and Cayme Big Crow; great-granddaughter Aurelia Giago; and hunka children Cesar Cross Dog, Jon Red Owl, Noah Holder, Jessie Miller, Justin Pourier, Lawrence Long Wolf, and all other hunka children and relatives.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Clara (Irving) Giago; siblings Joan Sakiestewa, William “Bill” Giago, and Michael Giago.
Pallbearers will be Duane Big Crow Sr, Lance Black Horn, John Clifford, Ty Bettelyoun, Gene “Popcorn” Tyon, Tek Maestas, Vince Brewer, Richard Long Wolf, Stan Holder Jr, and Frank Murdock Jr.
Honorary pallbearers will be all Medicine Horse Dancers and Leaders, All Waceunpa/Knife Chief Tiospaye and Sundancers, Richard & Ethleen Two Dogs, Richard & Arvella Moves Camp, Myron Young Dog, Bryan Charging Cloud, Ben Upshaw, Vimber Long Wolf, Bryan Brewer, Zeno Little, Clint Pilcher, Karen Lone Hill, Yamni Frank, Stan Holder Sr, Lakota “Cody” Hardin, Percy White Plume & Angie Clifford, Sylvia Tobacco, Dusty LeBeau, Doug Patton, Joe Lafferty, Bernie Nichols, Darlene “Kamook” Nichols, Ben Cloud, Eileen Iron Cloud, Edward Iron Cloud, Jeff Iron Cloud, Alberta Iron Cloud, Twila Zephier & Family, LaRouche Tiwahe, Pourier Tiwahe, Tanya Apple & Family, Jenny Clifford & Family, Brandy Clifford & Family, John Clifford & Family, Sesalie Red Owl, Irving Tiwahe, Carlow Tiwahe, LeBeau Tiwahe, Big Crow Tiwahe, Vocu Tiwahe, Garnette Tiwahe, Brewer Tiwahe, Holder Tiwahe, White Plume Tiwahe, Wheeler Tiospaye, Shangreaux Tiospaye, Ruff Tiospaye, Janis Tiospaye, American Indian Movement, Lakota Tech High School Family, and All Friends, Family, & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD