Sicangu Heritage Center
Frank LaPointe Collection (1986.001)
Frank LaPointe (1936-1992 ) was the publisher of a tribal newspaper The Rosebud Sioux Herald,
a Rosebud Sioux Tribal Councilman, and a recognized authority on Rosebud Sioux Tribal
Government. In 1986 and 1987, as head of the Governmental Affairs Committee, he oversaw the
passage of many ordinances now in place. He was on the Education Committee when it developed
the RST Education Code. Frank served as Executive Director (1971-1977) for Sicangu Oyate Ho,
Inc., the parent board for St. Francis Indian School after it transitioned from a parochial
school to a tribally-controlled contract school. He then worked at St. Francis Indian School
as Fiscal Officer/ Business Manager until his death. In 1972 he became a part time instructor
at Sinte Gleska College (1972-1989) and in 1979 was elected to the Sinte Gleska College Board
of Directors. Frank authored The Sioux Today, was Treasurer of Rosebud Community (1985-1989),
and served on numerous boards including the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, American Indian
Press Association, Sicangu Striders Jr. Olympics Club, and the South Dakota Committee on the
Humanities. His papers reflect his various interests. Of note are copies of The Rosebud Sioux
Herald (1963 -1971) and records of his tribal council career including minutes, associated
correspondence and meeting materials (1978-1991).
Rosebud Sioux Tribe Collections.
By Resolution of the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council, the Lakota Archives & Historical Research
Center is the official archival repository for the records of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.
Records transferred are limited in scope, dating 1952-1980 with the bulk dating from the 1970s.
Also in this collection are artifacts collected by the tribe when it operated a museum. These
items were transferred to Sinte Gleska College shortly after it was established in 1971. The
collections contain many fine older pieces, for example a pair of red quilled tipi bags
purchased in the 1930s for the Rosebud Tribal Museum by Nellie Menard, a policeman's hat from
the late 1800s and a fully beaded Doctor's bag. Other items are of more recent origin perhaps
as late as the 1960s.
Sinte Gleska University Collections.
By resolution of the Sinte Gleska Board of Directors, the Lakota Archives is the official
archival repository for the records of Sinte Gleska University. Sinte Gleska University was
founded in 1971 and these records are relatively recent. Researchers will need permission for
access to these records from the SGU President or his representative. Contact the Archives
Staff for information on restrictions. In addition to the paper record are artifacts purchased
by or donated to the University over the years. Items range from early to contemporary. For
example, an antler hide scraper was used by our ancestors. A rawhide parfleche, created by
tribal member Todd Bordeaux, won a red ribbon at the 2003 Northern Plains Tribal Arts Show.
Records of Sicangu Oyate Ho, Inc.
Sicangu Oyate Ho, Inc. was chartered by the State of South Dakota in 1970 and by the Rosebud
Sioux Tribe in 1982. The corporation established one of the first tribal schools in the
nation. In 1971 it took over management of the St. Francis Indian School from the St. Francis
Catholic Mission. By Resolution of the Board of Directors, the Lakota Archives is the
official archival repository. There are no student records. Holdings include minutes,
correspondence and financial records. Since these records are recent, permission to use
these records must be obtained from the Sicangu Oyate Ho, Inc.
Records of the Rosebud Mission of the Episcopal Church (1989.019).
The Rosebud Mission of the Episcopal Church has deposited its oldest records for safekeeping
and use by researchers. This collection consists of 6 volumes (ledgers) registering Baptisms,
Confirmations, Marriages, and Burials performed at the various chapels across the Rosebud
Reservation 1875-1923. Volume A contains a brief history of the Episcopal Mission on the
Rosebud Reservation.
SGU Elderly Interview Project (1994- Ongoing).
This collection consists of videotaped interviews with tribal elders conducted for the most
part in the Lakota language. Topics include genealogy, family history, cultural information
and historical events. This collection also includes videotape of various meetings held in
our area, for example, the testimony for revision of the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Constitution,
sessions of the Black Hills Treaty Council, and the SGU Lakota Studies Department faculty
discussing the development of our modern Lakota language. Transcription into English is an
ongoing process.
Small Manuscripts Collections.
This collection consists of small amounts of material donated
by tribal members and other individuals who have shared our history. Included are materials
ranging from papers, scrapbooks, videotapes, audiotapes, maps, and photographs. For example,
the Addie White Lark Collection (1930s-1940s) has ration books, fuel coupons,
letters and postcard written in Lakota, and an application for a patent in fee.
The Rufus Eagle Bear Collection
Consists of a yearbook and diploma from the Rosebud Community High School Class of 1937 and
newsclippings from WWII.
The Francis Bordeaux Sr. Papers consists of a ledger kept by Swift Bear Community
from 1937 through 1964.
The Harriet Colburn Collection is a scrapbook of newsclippings on Wounded Knee,
1973.
Photograph Collections.
The Lakota Archives gathers images of tribal members and tribal events depicting our history
and culture through the years. The collection contains original photographs donated to SGU
and copies of photographs obtained from other archives. Also in the collection are digital
images copied from photographs owned by tribal members and from other archives. For example,
the BIA Range Office Collection contains reservation images beginning in the
1930s. The Addie White Lark Collection contains 29 photographs, many
identified, of family members and of early White River Frontier Days. The Elizabeth R.
Newberry Collection contains 77 photographs of Rosebud Boarding School 1926-1928. The Stanley
Red Bird Collection contains 38 family photographs, many identified, ranging from the 1880s
to World War II and Vietnam.
Lakota Star Knowledge Project Collection (1986.003).
These records were generated by an ethnoastronomy project conducted by SGU Instructor Ronald
Goodman (@1932 -2001.) The project was designed to document star knowledge existing in the
memory of Lakota elders. Included are audiotaped interviews with tribal elders, handwritten
notes about other interviews, correspondence, newsclippings, and drafts for articles. Goodman
published the results of his study in Lakota Star Knowledge: Studies in Lakota Stellar
Theology. Access to the Star Knowledge Project materials (except secondary articles
collected by Goodman while doing his research) is subject to approval by the Chairperson of
the Sinte Gleska University Lakota Studies Department. Contact Archives Staff for information
on restrictions.
Margaret and Denton Bedford Collection (2000.001).
This collection consists of papers, books, periodicals and artifacts willed to Sinte Gleska
University by Margaret Bedford in memory of her brother Denton. Margaret and Denton, who
claimed descent from the Leni Lenapi, beaded and crafted most of the costumes, shields,
spears, and other items in the collection. Margaret painted portraits of prominent tribal
leaders. Denton researched and wrote historical novels. The papers are largely notes and
drafts for these novels. The Native American book and periodical library contains many
older books and rare editions. In addition, the Bedfords acquired items during their
visits to tribal groups across the United States. Of particular interest are items collected
at Pine Ridge in the 1920s and 1930s.
Map Collection.
The Lakota Archives collects and preserves maps depicting our homeland through the years.
This collection consists of maps donated by tribal members, tribal programs, and other
patrons or copied from other archives.
