OGLALA - The new president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe will be inaugurated into office on Friday during an afternoon ceremony marked by honoring songs, prayers and presentations of gifts.
The inauguration of OST President Theresa Two Bulls and Vice President William "Shorty" Brewer for the 2008-2010 term begins at 1 p.m. in the Loneman School Gymnasium in Oglala and continues with a 5 p.m. supper and a powwow that begins at 6:30 p.m. The theme for the inauguration is "Unity, Understanding and Peace."
Chris Eagle Hawk will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, which begins with a processional song by the Crazy Horse Singers.
Two Bulls, only the second woman president of OST, will give her presidential address towards the end of the ceremony. Cecelia Fire Thunder was elected tribal president in 2004.
Two Bulls defeated Russell Means in a run-off election Nov. 4 for the right to lead the more than 20,000 residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. She won 2,277 votes to 1,918 votes, after she and Means defeated incumbent president John Yellow Bird Steele in the primary.
Brewer will also speak at the inauguration. Guest speakers include two tribal chairmen: Joseph Brings Plenty of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Robert Cournoyer of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. The Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council will also make a presentation.
The newly elected OST tribal council representatives for 2008-2010 will also be introduced.
Following the ceremonies, everyone is invited to a karaoke/dance at Prairie Wind Casino's Lakota Dome from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
IF YOU GO
What: Two Bulls/Brewer Inaugural
When: 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5
Where: Loneman School Gymnasium, Oglala
Theme: Unity, Understanding & Peace
