​Waniyetu – Winter 
 
Anpetu Waste (Good Day):
 
Since our last email we have observed the winter solstice.  In the Lakota culture, the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21st signifying the beginning of Winter.  This also shows the star constellations in relevance to many ceremonies being conducted by the constellations. This is the time when different tribes have different rites. During the Winter of the night sky, the constellations include the Nape constellation (talks about generosity and power of balance told in stories), constellation of Mato Tipila (Bears Lodge also known as Devil’s Tower in which stories of the Sundance are told), and the constellation of HeSapa (Black Hills) which is called Ki Inyanka Ocanku (The Sacred Hoop which talks about the Buffalo Constellation and how life works).  Please visit the following link to read a legend titled How Bear Lost His Tail.
http://www.sintegleska.edu/lakotastories.html
 
January is the month of Wiotehika Wi (Hard Moon).  It is considered to be a time of hardship due to the cold (osni) weather.  Lakota people kept busy during the winter months in preparation for the coming year.  The tiospaye’s village historian recorded memorable events for the people (Oyate) to utilize and reflect for survival throughout the coming year.
 
In more exciting news, Sinte Gleska University (SGU) begins its 50th year of existence providing post-secondary education on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.  SGU was established 50 years ago in December of 1970 to provide students the support through a unique cultural, academic experience to envision a career, a positive future and a productive life for themselves, their families and community.
 
SGU received its tribal charter in January of 1971.  The tribal charter grants SGU the right and authority to grant degrees to those students who complete the required courses of study.  The authority of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe to grant such a charter is set out in the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Constitution, which was adopted pursuant to the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.
 
You are invited to be a part of our Sinte Gleska University family by supporting our students through scholarships.  Any contribution will help continue our important educational work for student development and help us to preserve and interpret our evolving Lakota history, language and culture.  Your charitable contribution is greatly appreciated and is tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.
 
Wopila Tanka 
Wilma Bearshield-Robertson
 

​November is known on the Lakota calendar as Wa-ni-ye-tu Wi – Winter Moon.  We experienced our first winter snow storm the last few days of October on the Rosebud Reservation, home of Sinte Gleska University, our students, faculty and staff.  The Fall 2020 semester is still going strong.  We’re especially proud of our 900 plus students, our faculty, staff and administration for sharing their knowledge and learning with on-line interaction.
We continue to develop as critical-minded, lifelong learners sustaining our cultural identity and promoting dialogue as we value our diversity through our unique education here at SGU.  We are leaders in education for ourselves, families and communities.
Protection, Prevention and Recovery, are terms we hear daily since the onset of Covid-19 virus that we’ve come to know as a global pandemic.
Lakota oyate (people) have survived many generations by preparing for changes to our everyday life.  Our people Protected daily survival as we followed and hunted wild game, prepared game, root vegetables and berries for sustenance and storage.  Our people Prevented sickness by practicing a holistic approach to individual and family spirituality and use of traditional medicines.  Oyate maintained Recovery through a positive outlook keeping busy individually and as a team to sustain a good quality of life.
We give thanks to our Sinte Gleska University Administration, Faculty, Support Staff and students for inspiration to continue our teamwork that will benefit many.
You are invited to be a team member and support our endeavor here with SGU on the Rosebud Reservation.  Please visit our website http://www.sgufoundation.org/  your charitable donation is tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.
Thank you, Wopila
Wilma Bearshield-Robertson
 
 

​Can-wa-pe-ka-sna Wi – Lakota for “the moon when the leaves fall”
Students at Sinte Gleska University are eagerly involved with their on-line distance learning classroom method.  Through zoom class meetings/google meet, students can participate individually as they learn from their instructor and classmates.  Students are working and achieving success during this time of virtual learning due to the world pandemic.
Our Lakota oyate (nation) ancestors lived daily with the uncertainty not knowing where their next meal would come from and their basic needs of survival.  Readiness and preparation for uncertain times was an important learning experience for our children, adults and elders. We can look back at the bravery and survival of our ancestors, that through their experience, we are here today. 
Our students make use of the opportunities offered at our unique post-secondary institution available on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.  The university’s staff, faculty and administration surround all students with a support system rooted in our Lakota culture in preparation for the future to be ready, prepared and to be part of a positive workforce with the Oyate to maintain good choices for a productive, healthy lifestyle.
Your generous support to Sinte Gleska University plays a large role in helping us continue our important educational work for student development and our work to preserve and interpret our evolving Lakota history, language and culture.
Wopila (thank you)
Wilma Bearshield-Robertson

​ 
Canwapegi Wi (month when the leaves turn brown)
Sinte Gleska University’s Fall 2020 student enrollment has exceeded a thousand students.  On the SGU campus located in Mission, over nine hundred students enrolled in classes.  There was a total of one hundred and fifty students enrolled at our additional locations located on the Lower Brule and Ihanktowan (Yankton) reservation campuses.
Welcome students on your new pathway to be a part of SGU.  Also, wopila tanka (big thank you) to our students for your patience, stamina and determination during the university’s record registration and enrollment process. You are on your way to a unique educational experience that will greatly enhance your life. 
Also, wopila tanka to the university’s administration, staff and faculty for their creative planning for students for the Fall 2020 semester.  All students were given incentives such as a scholarship which offered free tuition and fees, a free laptop, and stipends to assist with their monthly internet bill, and groceries.
Our on-line virtual learning method allows our students to attend classes through the use of their computers/technology from their homes.  When asked why students enrolled this semester, some of the reasons cited were:  the free tuition, free computer, or the ability to complete classes virtually.  Some of our students travel distances up to two hours from our campus, so virtual learning was a big plus for them.
Sinte Gleska University continues our endeavor in assisting students with book purchases and child care.  Many do not have the resources available to purchase books, and they are not eligible for PELL.  Your continued and generous support allows Sinte Gleska University’s mission to sustain our cultural identity, promote dialogue, value diversity and build a healthy nation.
Visit our website:  http://www.sgufoundation.org to donate to Sinte Gleska University.
 
 
 
 
 
 

​Anpetu waste yuha pi (have a good day).  Sinte Gleska University students, welcomes back to school. 
 
August (Wasuton Wi) is the month when the plums are red.  The days are becoming colder as we prepare for fall and winter.  During this time, we enjoy our plum harvest since preparation is an important part of our Lakota Lifeway.
 
August is also the start of the fall semester.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SGU will be doing virtual classes for the 2020 fall semester.  Students will be given a laptop to assist with virtual learning while they are taking classes.  In addition, all students who enroll at Sinte Gleska University for the fall semester will receive a full scholarship which will pay for their tuition and fees.  However, students will be responsible for their cost of books. 
Typically, our commencement exercise is in August, but due to the pandemic, graduation has been postponed to another date.  Some students are left with an unpaid bill for tuition and book fees.  The goal of this campaign is to raise money for those students with outstanding book bills so they are able to receive an official transcript.  Students need their official transcript for prospective employment. 
Sinte Gleska University’s unique educational mission extends support to our students with opportunities to reach their educational goals to a better life for themselves, their families and communities. Through our Lakota culture we are taught individual and family life skills through a family-based approach for survival and success.
 
Sinte Gleska University’s team work and unity is essential to assist our students through their journey as they return back to school and we all adapt to the changes during this unforeseen time of challenges due to the global pandemic.  We need your help in our fund-raising endeavor to assist our students purchase their books for the Fall semester.
 
Welcome to our website http://www.sgufoundation.org to donate your charitable contribution to our students.  Your help is greatly appreciated and is tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.
 
Wopila Tanka (Thank you),
 
Wilma Bearshield-Robertson
 
 
 

April 2020
 
Greetings, Relatives (Mi-ta-ku-ya-pi)
 
The Lakota culture describes months according to the Wi (moon).  The months also correlate with seasons and events that occur in each specific month.  In our Lakota language, the month of April is called Wi-ha-kak-ta-ce-papi Wi.  The translation means crack bones on marrow to get fat.  The marrow (fat) was necessary to hold the cherries/berries to the dried meat to make wasna which was a food staple. Fat held everything together.     
 
The harvesting of buffalo (tatanka) was so important for survival.  A group of Lakota, both male and female, were selected to work as a team to conduct the harvest.  The group selected were taught a specific duty, doing their best to prevent spooking the herd, and causing a stampede.  Every part of the buffalo was used for food, clothing and shelter. 
 
Pre-colonial Lakota people didn't have sugar.  Later, during the period when forts were established, molasses were given as rations.  Our staple food was buffalo, elk, deer and antelope meat cooked into soup with root vegetables, like wild turnips and onions.  Since Lakota didn't eat three meals a day, wasna was used as a meal.  In today’s modern society, wasna has been modified using corn meal, brown sugar, cherries, and doesn’t contain any meat.  Our food is prayed over as sustenance and medicine.
 
Sinte Gleska University’s unique educational mission surrounds our students with opportunities to achieve their educational goals to a better life for themselves, their families and communities.  Our Lakota way of life, living and values emphasizes encouragement to an individual’s pathway to success.  We are taught individual and family life skills through a family-based approach for survival and success.  Much like our ancestors, team work and unity is essential to achieve an individual’s journey to success.  
 
During this time of unforeseen circumstances due to the coronavirus crisis, our classes are not being held face to face.  Instead our students are being guided under instruction from teachers, and other student interaction through the use of technology to continue their spring 2020 semester studies. 
 
Please help us through our email fund raising initiative to support our students, faculty and staff to retain a healthy condition by using our cultural values of working in unity as a team to overcome challenges through encouragement, strength and confidence.  We encourage your assistance to help our students on their journey to success.
 
Visit our website at  http://www.sgufoundation.org  to donate to Sinte Gleska University’s unique mission.  Your charitable contribution is greatly appreciated and is tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.
 
Wo-pi-la, Thank you.
 
 
 
 
 

An-pe-tu Was-te (Good Day in Lakota),
We-tu is the season of springtime in our Lakota way of life.  Our months and seasons are described by the Wi (Moon) and correlate with seasons and events that go on in that specific month and time period.
Spring is an exciting time for our students and staff here at Sinte Gleska University as we plan for our 50th year’s celebration.  We can imagine our lives beyond the cold weather, snow and icy roads. We-tu, (spring) in our way of life is a time to renew and restore our pathway to achieve our academic goals.  
Your kind support and donation to Sinte Gleska University plays a large role in providing student scholarships and helping us continue our important educational work for student development and to preserve and interpret our evolving Lakota history, language and culture.
Your generous support is greatly appreciated and is tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.
Wo-pi-la tan-ka, (A big thank you)

February 2020
 
Wilma Bearshield-Robertson’s Blog
 
Greetings Relatives (Mi-ta-ku-ya-pi)
According to the Lakota calendar, the month of February is called Cannapopa Wi, which means Moon of the Popping Trees. This is the period when the weather is so cold it causes the trees to crack.  With the advent of cold weather, it’s a challenge for students to attend class when they have young children. Sinte Gleska University has a child care facility available for use, but at a cost, so some students are unable to afford to send their children due to financial hardship.
 
Sinte Gleska University students are strongly influenced by Lakota tradition.  Their individual educational experience at SGU helps their individual development and career choice.  During the time of a student’s pathway to success unforeseen challenges occur that may impede their focus and career development.  
 
Fortitude (Wo-wa-cin-tanka) is one of the four Lakota virtues.  It means facing challenges with courage, strength and confidence.  Believing in oneself allows a person to face challenges.  Fortitude includes the ability to come to terms with problems, to accept them and to find a solution that is good for everyone.  Fortitude may require patience perseverance and strength of mind in the face of challenges. It involves having confidence in oneself and the courage to continue even when all odds are against you.  
 
Please give to help pay child care costs for Sinte Gleska University students who are parents of young children.  To donate easily and securely, simply scroll to the bottom of this page and hit that DONATE button!

Your generous support is greatly appreciated and is tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.
 
Wopila – Thank you
 
 

Greetings Relatives, (Mi-ta-ku-ya-pi)
 
Happy New Year (O-ma-ka Te-ca  O-i-yo-ki-pi)

Our new year, 2020, begins a significant milestone as Sinte Gleska University celebrates 50 years at the center of Higher Education on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.  Sinte Gleska University serves the people of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate by providing students with the opportunity to vision and plan a positive future through higher education. 

Wa-can-tog-naka is a Lakota value meaning “generosity”.  On the Rosebud Reservation our holiday season began with Sinte Gleska University’s Tribal Elder Christmas Day.  Student volunteers and staff helped with BINGO, entertainment, dinner and gift giving to make the event fun and meaningful for our tribal treasures.

A new year is an exciting time to restart our lives in a myriad of ways.  New and returning students are registering for spring semester classes.  January also brings planning for the annual Founders’ Week, which is held the last week of January. Founder's celebrates the origins of Sinte Gleska University’s graduation ceremony, when it was held the first weekend in February, and was known as Wambli Day.  The Wambli Day activities included:  Miss SGU coronation, concert featuring American Indian musicians, meal, and wacipi.  Later, Wambli Day evolved into our current week-long event of forums, youth night, Ms. SGU coronation and culminates with our annual wacipi.  The SGU Wacipi kicks off the pow wow season in Indian Country.
 
 

 
Wilma Bear Shield-Robertson’s Blog
Greetings Relatives, Mi-ta-ku-ya-pi– In our Lakota Language
Sinte Gleska University will celebrate 50 years at the center of Higher Education on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in 2020.  Our students receive the opportunity to envision a career, a positive future and a productive life.
Wa-ni-ye-tu Wi is our Lakota word for Winter.  Preparation for winter begins in the summer the annual winter campsites and hunting areas were known by our Sicangu Lakota O’ ya’ te’ people.  The winter season provided the Oyate people time to reflect on the past year. 
Our tribal historians kept our annual accomplishments, incidents and overall yearly events painted on animal hides a visual display we call a Winter Count, Wa-ni-yet-tu-Wi Iya-wa-pi.  Our tribal leaders, elders and oyate were able to plan, design and make preparation to implement the upcoming year’s goals.
Continuous planning and implementation was made for the survival of the people through the winter season and throughout the year.
Sinte Gleska University serves the people of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate by providing the students with the opportunity to vision and plan a positive future through higher education. 
Your kindness and generous support will help Sinte Gleska University continue our important mission to provide a quality education to help our students succeed.
Please continue to visit our website for current information and activities. www.sintegleska.edu