​ 
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
 
 

 
Greetings Relatives, Mitakuyapi (Lakota)
Sinte Gleska University is the center of Higher Education on the Rosebud Indian Reservation located in south central South Dakota.  Established 49 years ago the university provides students the support and academic programs to envision a career, a positive future and a productive life for themselves, their families and community.
 
In our Lakota traditional ways of life/living we learn Wounspe (Lakota) we are taught individual and family life skills through a family-based approach.  Our first teachers are our parents and family members.  We gather as a family team to learn, set goals and accomplish tasks and celebrate our individual and group/team success. 
 
Yu’wita (you-wheat-ta) – means Gathering in our Lakota Language. In gathering, coming together with others, we share ideas, experiences and learn from the experiences of others.  This is an important approach that begins the process to acquire knowledge and understanding that helps individuals envision a career, a positive future and a productive life for themselves, their families and community.  As stated in my previous blog Knowledge is everywhere, we can acquire as individuals, within families, or in gathering with others in a classroom setting.  The Sinte Gleska University classroom setting is culturally unique in that individuals are guided under instruction from teachers, other student’s interaction, tribal elders and tribal community goals.
 
To receive email campaign updates please submit your email address to get added to the list.  You can do that right on the bottom of this page. Your generous support to Sinte Gleska University plays a large role in helping us continue our important educational work for student development and 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 – Thank you.

Wilma Bear Shield-Robertson’s Blog
 
Mitakuyapi (Relatives in Lakota)!
Journey to Success
Sinte Gleska University has been a guiding force for student success for forty-nine years on the Rosebud Reservation.
The University’s Adult Basic Education GED Department recently sponsored the College Readiness Seminar and Resource Fair.  Ki’ li, means wow in our Lakota language.  I heard good, exciting responses from participants who attended the day-long seminar on October 17, 2019. 
I want to send a shout-out to program organizers and participants for an action filled event engaging attendees in their Journey to Success.
Our Lakota values emphasize encouragement to an individual’s pathway to success.  Sinte Gleska University’s unique educational mission surrounds students with a myriad of opportunities to achieve their educational goals for a better life.
Please take time to view the pictures/video from the College Readiness Seminar and Resource Fair on our Sinte Gleska University Facebook page.
Wopila
 
 
 

 
Wilma Bear Shield-Robertson’s Blog
 
Mitakuyapi – Means relatives in Lakota
Sinte Gleska University sponsored a fund raising event on Sunday, October 20th in Gregory, SD. The university hosts unique cultural and learning events for our students, families and elders throughout the year.
This Gregory Fund Raising event was the first in our effort to develop local and global partnerships to collectively raise the funds necessary to further our Sinte Gleska University Mission.
Sunday was the second day of opening season for Pheasant Hunting in the state of South Dakota.  In the 2018 pheasant hunting season Gregory County was eighth in the number of pheasants harvested and for visiting out of state hunters.
I will keep you informed of upcoming events for our Future Fund Raising Campaigns that you can participate in to help our students succeed.
To view Gregory Fund Raising Event photos, Please visit our Facebook page and our SGU Foundation Giving Page http://www.sgufoundation.org/
Help us continue to make a better life for our students and our Sicangu Lakota Oyate.
Your assistance and charitable contribution is greatly appreciated
Wopila Tanka – A big thank you! In Lakota