Spirit of Dakota
South Dakota's Premier Woman's Award

Click Here For Nomination Form

Established October 1987

Statement of Purpose & Criteria
The Spirit of Dakota Award is an annual honor bestowed each fall by the Spirit of Dakota Award Society at a state-wide event at the Crossroads Hotel & Huron Event Center. The Spirit of Dakota award is given to:

  • An outstanding South Dakota woman who has demonstrated leadership qualities and has been successful and admired in her community and state.
  • A woman with roots deep in Dakota whose courage and strength of character have helped develop her family and community.
  • A woman who has represented social, cultural, and education advancement for others.
  • This award is not Mother of the Year, nor Teacher of the Year, nor categorized but rather a recognition of those outstanding women who have been the symbols of all that we are proud of in our Prairie Women.
  • The nominee does not need to be a native of South Dakota, but must be a current, living resident of the state.

History of Spirit of Dakota Award

History of Spirit of Dakota Award
The nine foot bronze sculpture "Spirit of Dakota" which stands at the entrance of the Crossroads Hotel & Huron Event Center, is the source for the state-wide Spirit of Dakota Award. Dale Claude Lamphere, nationally recogonized sculptor and artist, is the creator. This sculpture of a pioneer woman balanced against the wind was unveiled and dedicated in October 1987 by the citizens of Huron and is the unique possession of this community.

 

Spirit of Dakota Award

South Dakota's Premier Woman's Award
This prestigious Spirit of South Dakota award plaque is an outstanding piece of art; each indivually created by renowned sculptor, Dale Claude Lamphere, and treasured by each honoree. A one-foot bronze oval is graced with the pioneer woman sculpted upon its facade. To further illuminate the award, the bronze oval is mounted on smokey black lucite which is etched with the award inscription. The final element of the honor is an 18x20 burnished gold wooden frame which securely hold the cherished woman.

Nominations

Saturday, October 2, 2010

3:00 PM - Nominee Tea

3:00 PM - Art Show Opens

6:00 PM - Social

          7:00 PM - Award Banquet

Nomination forms and informational brochures may be obtained from:

www.spiritofdakota.org


or

Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau
1725 Dakota Avenue S
Huron, SD 57350

Nominations Close August 1

Please mail nominations to:

Spirit of Dakota Award Society
PO Box 280
Huron, SD 57350

Spirit of Dakota Event

2009 Spirit of Dakota Award Winner        
Julie Garreau - Eagle Butte

Visionary - Leader - Role Model - Advocate                         

   This Year's Spirit of Dakota Award winner, Julie Garreau of Eagle Butte, SD is a shining star with a bright future.  Throughout her life, Julie has demonstrated her strength of character and courage to speak out for the needs of others, especially for the needs of children.

    Julie's roots go deep into the Dakota prairie.  As a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Julie was honored by her community in 1992 when she received her Indian name Wicahpi Eyutan Win (meaning "Touches the Stars Woman").  Julie's name reflects her people's recognition of her dedication, vision, and commitment.

    Since its beginning in 1988, The Huron University graduate has been the Executive Director of the Cheyenne River Youth Project.  The project was in response to the community's need for more services that support struggling children and their families.  Originally housed in a converted bar on the town's Main Street, the organization created a safe place for children to come after school, offering activities such as arts and crafts, intramural sports and volunteer mentorship, in addition to serving a healthy meal and a snack each day.

   The youth center, known locally as "The Main", was operated completely by a volunteer staff and quickly became a vital element of the Cheyenne River community.  Despite its small size and very little money for programming, the center was filled to capacity each day.  From these humble beginnings, the Cheyenne River Youth Project has come a long way.

   Under Julie's leadership, the center partnered with the national non- profit, Running Strong for American Indian Youth, to build a new youth center that could support the organization's growth.  The new "Main Youth Center" opened in May 1999, and provides a recreation room, library, family room, commercial grade kitchen, office space, and residential quarters for long-term volunteers.

   Of course, the Cheyenne River Youth Project has continued to expand and partnered once again with Running Strong in 2004 to build the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center with over 25,000 square feet for youth ages 13-18.  Cokata Wiconi is a tremendous achievement with many new and exciting opportunities for teens.  The center has a full-sized basketball court, an internet cafe, a computer lab, dance and art studios, as well as private volunteer quarters.

   Julie has faced years of adversity and challenge in her work.  Cheyenne River Reservation is located in two of the five poorest counties in the United States.  She has shown courage and strength of character through her constant drive to never give up on a project that has struggled for resources since its inception.  Because of her tireless efforts in the field of youth development, Julie has opened countless doors of opportunity for young people, providing a lasting legacy of hope and encouragement.

   From the streets of Eagle Butte to the halls of Congress, Julie Garreau speaks out for today's youth and issues that impact their lives the most - poverty, abuse, homelessness, and broken families.  Her efforts have been recognized by the State of South Dakota, the South Dakota Coalition for Children, President George H.W. Bush, St. Jospeh's Indian School, the Lakota Nation and the American Indian Women's Association.  Her name appears on the Honor Wall at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

  To keep a grassroots youth project running - and growing - for two decades requires resourcefulness, persistence, tenacity and absolutely courage and strength of character.

 
2009 Nominees

Judy Brengle, Belle Fourche; Carol E Foster, Hot Springs; Julia Garreaue, Eagle Butte; Hazel Heil, Newell; Margaret Hunhoff, Yankton; Jeanne Pattison, Sioux Falls; Dr. Carol J. Peterson, Brookings; Katy Swift, Dell Rapids; Leta F. Trusty, Howard; Darlene F. Young, Spearfish.

Distinguished Honorees

Spirit of Dakota Distinguished Honorees

  • 1987 - *Mrs. Winifred Lorentson, Miller
  • 1988 - *Dr. Jeanie K. Sherman, Madison
  • 1989 - *Florence Bruhn, Watertown
  • 1990 - *Jeanette Lusk, Huron
  • 1991 - *Dorothy (D.J.) Cline, Brookings
  • 1992 - No Award Presentaion
  • 1993 - Ruth Ziolkowski, Custer
  • 1994 - Sylvia Henkin., Sioux Falls
  • 1995 - Irene Fisher Coon, Sioux Falls
  • 1996 - Hildreth Twostars Venegas, Sisseton
  • 1997 - Lorraine Huntimer, Oldham
  • 1998 - Mary Lou Tripp, Belle Fourche
  • 1999 - Marsha Sumpter, Philip
  • 2000 - Donna Schipke, Newell
  • 2001 - Phyllis White Eyes DeCory, Rapid City
  • 2002 - Virginia Keil Lardinois, Huron
  • 2003 - Patricia Fawcett, Ree Heights
  • 2004 - Alice Kundert, Mound City
  • 2005 - No Award Presentation
  • 2006 - Janice Manolis, Huron
  • 2007 - June James - Hazel
  • 2008 - Elaine Doll-Dunn - Spearfish
  • 2009 - Julie Garreau - Eagle Butte

Selection Commission

Spirit of Dakota Selection Commission

  • Judy Barbour - Rapid City
  • Coral Bonnemann - Brookings
  • Glenna Fouberg - Aberdeen
  • Jean Hunhoff - Yankton
  • Suzette Kirby - Sioux Falls
  • Bette Poppen - DeSmet
  • First Lady Jean Rounds - Pierre
  • Tona Rozum - Mitchell
  • Marsha Sumpter - Kadoka
  • Judy Trzynka - Watertown
  • Bev Wright - Turton

Spirit of Dakota Award Society

Stephanie Hertel
Adele Jacobson
Deannie LeRoux
Sandy Mencke
Jeannette Peterson
Bette Poppen
Terri Anderson-Schlader
Linda Schwartz

Rebecca Steele
JoAnne Thurnbeck
Mary Walz
Susan Welch

Cindy Wilk
Darcy Haber
Jane Meekins
Sarah Rubish
Erica McNeil





Huron Chamber and
Visitors Bureau
1725 Dakota Ave South
Huron, SD 57350
605-352-0000
800-487-6673
cvb@huronsd.com

 
Copyright Huron 2008