Ray Takes War Bonnett

 Ray Takes War Bonnett is a member of the Hunkpapa  Sioux Tribe and lives on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Southwestern South Dakota. Ray is a cultural and language consultant for the Little Wound public school in Kyle, South Dakota and is an ordained priest in the Anglican Catholic Church in America. Ray is a descendent of Chief Mad Bear who is a cousin to Sitting Bull. Chief Mad Bear fought and survived the Battle of Little Big Horn. Ray is also a descendent of Medicine Hat and Rough Feather who did not survive Wounded Knee. Ray assists several Lakota Spiritual Leaders by facilitating ceremonies with his extensive repertoire of songs he sings and leads for all occasions.

Ray married Deloris Broken Rope and they have four daughters, Sonia, Lynn, Bethel, Lorretta and one son, Ray Jr.  Ray and Deloris have seven grandchildren aged 1 to 11.

Francis White Lance

                                                           Commencement Speaker Fall 2007

                  Francis White Lance is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and lives on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Southwestern South Dakota. He is a veteran of the US Air Force. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Western Philosophy from the University of Dubuque (Iowa) and a Master of Theological Studies form Seabury-Western Theological Seminary (at Northwestern University). Francis has continued to attend school working towards his South Dakota Teacher’s certification and advanced studies in Educational Administration.

Francis is currently a Cultural Coordinator/Social Worker at the American Horse School in Allen, South Dakota. He is an associate professor (part time) for the Oglala Lakota College where he teaches courses in Lakota Thought and Philosophy, Lakota Social Systems, Lakota Language, and Lakota History and Culture. He is an adjunct professor at Catholic Theological Union (Chicago). He continues to lecture at schools and universities across the country. Francis is an ordained priest in the Anglican Catholic Church in America. Francis is a Lakota spiritual leader, Sundance leader and Yuwipi man. Francis is invited to travel all across the country to perform “ceremony” for those in need. His reputation is expanding beyond the United States border with an invitation to perform “ceremony” with a community in Switzerland in April, 2008.

Francis’ two grandfathers, Daniel White Lance and Dewey Beard, are recognized as warriors that fought at Wounded Knee in December, 1890. Dewey Beard is the last living survivor and became a well known speaker of the event. Francis is a decedent of “Tasunke Witko” (Crazy Horse) and is the current leader Crazy Horses’ “Hoksi Hakata” (last child) Warrior Society.

Francis is an author of two published books that provides guidance and council of the Lakota Way of Life so his people will have access to their heritage.  He plans on writing five more books for his people.

Francis is married to Suzanne Fire Thunder and they have two children, Stephen Jesse and Whitney Jasmine. There are two additional members of the family, Mariah Suzanne a niece and Kato an adopted son.