Buffalo Drum Gallery II

Tribute to Stephen Yellowhawk

Stephen Yellowhawk
Tunweya Gli (Scout)

DOB: 4/9/82
Age: 26 years old
Tribal Affiliation: Cheyenne River Sioux/Iroquois
Tribal Enrollment: Cheyenne River Sioux
Eagle Butte, SD
Family: Shawna Yellowhawk – Wife
Adizha McCloskey – Daughter
Queana Maher – Daughter
Avant Maher – Son

Biography:
I was born in Eagle Butte, SD on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and raised in Rapid City, SD by my grandparents, Dr. Gerald and Johanna Yellowhawk. I graduated from the Lakota Christian Academy in 2000 and married my best friend, Shawna Maher in 2002. We have 3 beautiful children ages 10, 8, and 7 years old.
Growing up in my grandparent’s home, I learned from their example how to combine both the Christian and Lakota Traditional value systems. I received the inspiration to dance primarily from my Uncle Jim Yellowhawk, a world-renown artist. My grandfather then created my first outfit and I started dancing when I was 14 years old. Traditional dancing and my Christian belief have strengthened my self-confidence, self-esteem, self-respect and love for all my relatives. It has opened many doors and created many paths for my family and I.

I am currently employed with the Rural America Initiative’s Ateyapi Program. The program provides in school support and after school activities for Native American children ages 11-14 years old and utilizes culturally based classes to support the promotion of self esteem building. I teach the children beadwork; Native American Music; Native American dance outfit making and dancing; Native American games, and other Native American arts and crafts.

I am pursuing a degree in Education at Oglala Lakota College. My goal is to teach at a predominantly Native American school. I eventually want to get my Master’s degree and become a leader in Indian Education. Throughout my schooling here inRapid City I never had a Native American male for a teacher. I seen there is a definite need for more Native American teachers. I want to be part of the movement towards getting more Native American teachers, especially at schools where there are many Native students. I can only imagine the impact a Native American teacher could make for our Native American students.
My grandfather told me when I first started to dance, “Grandson if you take care of these feathers, they will in turn take of you.” They have done just that. I have been blessed with traveling the country and the world to share my culture. In 2000, I traveled to Zurich, Switzerland and in 2004, I traveled to Greece. Wakantanka continues to bless my family and I. I am so thankful for the knowledge and values that my Grandparents have instilled in my life.

Volunteer Activities:
Ø Committee Member – Gathering of Native Youth and Elders to Reduce Poverty Coalition
Ø Assistant Basketball Coach – Lakota Christian Academy
Ø Volunteer Mentor – Black Hills Children’s Home
Ø Restorative Justice Advisory Committee Member
Ø Expert Panel- National Abstinence Media Campaign
Ø A.B.O.U.T. Ministries Board Member

Price: $410.00