In 1960, Reifel left the BIA to run for Congress. Army, and again from 1949-1952 to attend Harvard University where he obtained his M.S. Following his graduation, he began a tenure at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), which was interrupted from 1942-1945 to serve in the U.S. He graduated from South Dakota State College (now University) in 1932. 1831 – 1890), a Hunkpapa Lakota, was a famous leader of the Strong Heart Warrior Society.īen Reifel (1906-1990) was born on the Rosebud Reservation to William Reifel, a German-American and Lucy Lilly Burning Breast, Brule Sioux. Their purpose was to be physically, emotionally and spiritually able to defend the tribe whenever needed. Sitting Bull (c. Members of the Strong Heart society were sworn to codes of moral character including self-control, fearlessness and a duty to care for the poor. This rattle was given to Ben Reifel on July 4, 1935, on the occasion of his initiation into the Cante Tinza (Strong Heart or Brave Heart) Warrior Society. The Society celebrated their 25th anniversary with a visit from long-time sponsor and friend, Billy Mills, and decorated their Lodge with a brilliant outdoors mural depicting an enormous thunderbird, a herd of buffalo led by their matriarch, and a running river.Untitled (Strong Heart Society rattle), early 20 th century
Today the Brave Heart Society hosts Dakota language nests, the Waterlily Storytelling Institute, a 3-acre community garden, and an intertribal lacrosse team in addition to coming-of-age ceremonies and retreats available to both young women and young men. Initially the Society formed in 1994 to revive the near-extinct historic rites of passage for young Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota women called Isnati Awica Dowanpi. Spotted Eagle is one of the original founders of the Society alongside a larger group of grandmothers referred to as the Unci Circle.īilly Mills and Spotted Eagle have worked together for several decades in the advancement and defense of indigenous rights and ways of life. “In a way, we are doing the same thing today with the modern day Brave Hearts – bringing our people back from emotional death,” says Faith Spotted Eagle. The Brave Hearts historically were the women to retrieve the dead and wounded from the battlefield and help the families. Located in Lake Andes, SD, the Brave Heart Society has been one of Running Strong’s longest partnerships – dating back to 1994 when the Society was still the Yankton Sioux Women’s Society. December 16th, 2019 marked the Brave Heart Society’s 25th anniversary.
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