Justin Peters

Funeral services for 38-year old Justin Peters are Sat, Feb 19, 2022 at 10:00 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pine Ridge, SD, with Isaiah Crow Iyapapi and traditional Lakota services by Leksi Steve DuBray and Leksi Marei Kingi

Burial is at the Brown Eyes Tiwahe Cemetery in Slim Buttes, SD

A two-night wake service begins Thurs, Feb 17, at 1:30 at Joyner Hall in Pine Ridge with the second night starting Friday, Feb 18, at 2:00 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pine Ridge. Evening services begin at 7:00 each night.

Justin Lee Peters, “Tuweya Isnala Najin” entered into this sacred life on February 10, 1984 and began his journey on the sacred path of stars on February 10, 2022.  

Justin’s birth brought great joy to his Tiospaye, especially his mother and father.  It also marked the beginning of the ardent training and guidance of an Indigenous child who would ultimately walk upon Unci Maka as a strong warrior of Oglala Lakota and Northern Arapaho descent.  

As a very young boy, Justin was fiercely protective of his mother. In later years, he would refer to her and all his aunties as his queens but his mother always held the top spot.  

As a very young man, he danced and prayed with his family and relatives at the Brown Eyes Family Sundance/Ista Gi Tiospaye Wiwang Wacipi.  This sundance was held to honor and heal veterans of the Vietnam War.

When Justin informed his grandfather Joe Brown Eyes that he wanted to pierce for the soldiers, his grandfather instructed that Justin would dance in the circle alone with the sundancers and people supporting him from outside the circle.  

After the piercing was finished, his grandfather bestowed upon Justin the Lakota Name, Tuweya Isnala Najin/Scout Who Stands Alone.  It is this name who he became as a man.  

As a young man, Justin enjoyed playing basketball.  It was then he was known as “Jut Sauce” or “Sauce” to his close circle of friends and to those he played with or against.  In that time, he was regarded by those who knew him as a legendary street baller.  

Justin ultimately met and fell deeply in love with the love of his life, Shena.  From that union four children were born with another to be born in two months – a baby boy that he will never get to see or hold in this life. Justin loved and enjoyed raising and always being with his children.  

Justin and Shena were married in the Sacred Ways of the Oglala Lakota.  Justin’s other side, his mother, his father, and siblings will insure his children will learn and walk in the Lakota Way of Life.  

As a father, Justin held various jobs, the jobs he loved and enjoyed the most were that of a landscaper and construction worker.  He adamantly retained the knowledge he learned from those occupations.  

To those who loved him, know that he loved you with every fiber of his being.  His loyalty to you was real and strong.  His instinct to protect the ones he loved was ruthlessly present always.  When he was born, he brought great joy, when he left us, he broke many hearts.  When you think of him, say his name, he will be there.  Justin Lee Peters-Tuweya Isnala Najin.

Justin is survived by his wife, Shena; his children, JRake, JaLyssa, JRianna, JiSele, and Justin, Jr. arriving on May 6, 2022 and JaReem; parents, Will and Lena Peters; sisters, Kelly Peters and Keesa (Jordan) Robinson; brothers, Jesse (Kristen) Peters and Jason (Melanie) Piper; grandfather, Scotty Brown Eyes; grandmother, Carolyn One Feather; hunka father, Ralph Bennett; uncle, Donny (Sandra) Peters; aunties, Marlene Piper, Belva (Pete) Thunder Hawk, his forever little mom, Jennifer (Art) Fortin, Mary Woodard, Judy Zimiga, Betty Jo Peters, Annette Peters, and Renee Standing Soldier.

Justin was preceded in death by his grandparents, Louella Brown Eyes and Aloysius Piper and Ora DuBray & Jacob Peters; sister, Kerry Lynn Peters; nephew, Quannah William Peters; grandfather, Joe Brown Eyes; sisters/cousins, Victoria Rae Piper, and Kayla Lou Matthews; uncles, Richard Peters, Michael Piper, Phillip Piper, and Robert Thunder Hawk; and aunties, Priscilla Hill, Chamblis He Crow, and Sherilyn Brown Eyes.

Pallbearers will be Corey Alcott, Austin Cuny, Isaac Hawk Wing, Cornell Ruff, Jr., Jordan Armijo, Morgan Weston, TJ Buckman, Preston Blackwater, Teejay Elk Boy, and Jacob Running Horse.  

Brother Pallbearers will be Jesse Peters, Anthony Peters, Jaydin Peters, Jason Piper, Jimmy Wayne Peters, and Jontay Peters.  

Honorary pallbearers will be nieces-KeyLee, KyMani, KhaLeesi, Ki’Ari, Kerry, and Koraline; nephews, Jaydin, Jontay, & Baby Jesse; Carrie Ann White Antelope & Family, Gloria One Feather & Family, Cecelia Brown Eyes & Family, Carla & Jack Pittman & Family, Marei & Elizabeth Kingi & Family, Steve & Lolita DuBray & Family, Paula Sibel, Annabelle Black Bear, Veronica “Vee” Janis, Art Zimiga & Family, Charley Zimiga & Family, John & Karen Shaffer & Family, Steve & Barbara Miner, Pat & Sandy Iron Cloud, Teresa Blackwater & Family, Raedean White Calf & Family, Shanise Blackwater, Chanel Coomes, Brenda, Shirley & Millie Blackwater, Karen Lawrence, Grandpa Joe, Grandma Vivian Locust, Alvin Iron Cloud & Family, Sally & Aaron DeSersa, David Arquello, Kyle Porfell & Family, Ben Chandler & Family, Leslie Brown Eyes, Ellis Brings Him Back, John Cina Bear Robe & Family, Robbie Two Bulls & Family, Summer Oldman & Family, Valentina Makes Him First & Family, Marci One Feather & Family, AJ Iron Cloud & Family, Tokalas of Ista Gi Tiospaye Wiwang Wacipi, cousins-Collette, Felicia, Rosie, Veronica, and April Rain; and all cousins, nieces, nephews, friends & relatives.

Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD