Board and Staff

Elder Guidance

Leadership

Teaching

Elder Guidance

Joseph Marshall III,
Board President
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Joseph Marshall III was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation and is an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota (Rosebud Sioux) tribe. Because he was raised in a traditional Lakota household by his maternal grandparents, his first language is Lakota. In that environment he also learned the ancient tradition of oral storytelling. He is also a practitioner of primitive Lakota archery, having learned from his maternal grandfather the art of hand crafting bows and arrows. Joseph is also a specialist in wilderness survival.Joseph taught at the high school and college levels, and developed native studies curriculum as well. For several years he worked for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Now he writes full time, having published nine nonfiction works, three novels, a collection of short stories and essays, and has written several screenplays. Many of his books are published in foreign countries and he has won several awards for his books, both for the text and audio versions.Joseph has appeared in several television documentaries, served as technical advisor for movies, and had a role in a major television network mini-series. He was a technical advisor and narrator for the Turner Network Television (TNT) and Dreamworks Television six-part mini-series Into the West, as well as playing the on-screen role of “Loved by the Buffalo,” a Lakota medicine man.One of his most treasured and meaningful experiences was to be one of the founders of Sinte Gleska University (1971) on the Rosebud Reservation. He is one of the Charter Board Members.As a speaker and lecturer he has appeared in many venues throughout the United States and in countries such as France, Sweden, and Siberia.

Earl Bullhead, Secretary
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Earlwin Bullhead is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. He is a performer and educator with over 20 years’ experience teaching Lakota Language, Song and Dance, History and Culture at both elementary and secondary levels. Earl has produced numerous Lakota song albums of both social, ceremonial, hand drum and powwow CD’s with his drum group Ikce Wicasa. Earl is currently working within the Spirit Lake school system in North Dakota. He is an experienced presenter, having been key note speaker as the Lakota Language Summit held annually In Rapid City, SD. Earl has been an avid advocate in the sobriety movement throughout Indian country and has lent his expertise to commercial tobacco prevention messages and promoting sacred use of tobacco through tribal nations in North and South Dakota.

Jerome Kills Small, Treasurer
Oglala Sioux Tribe
Jerome Kills Small is an Oglala Lakota from Porcupine, S.D., on the Pine Ridge Reservation. He graduated from and taught at the University of South Dakota, instructing Lakota language, American Indian thought, Siouan tribal culture, Lakota history, and a seminar on Black Elk. He also taugh tthe Dakota language and American Indian cultures at Nebraska Indian Community College in Santee, Neb., and South Sioux City, Neb.

Karen Little Thunder,
Board Member
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Karen is a part-time resident of the Upper Cut Meat Community. Her parents are Bill Little Thunder (Sicangu Lakota) and Phoebe Little Thunder (Oglala Lakota), but she personally identifies as MaLakota. She is a proud mother of two girls. Karen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management at Sinte Gleska University. She is currently attending graduate school at Oglala Lakota College. She has been an advocate for the Lakota people and her ancestral homelands over the course of her life. She worked to change the name of Black Elk Peak from Harney Peak and has been teaching the true history of the 1855 Blue Water Creek Massacre. Karen is proudly sober for the last 23 years as it continues to connect her with traditional spirituality and life ways. She dances old-style shawl within our local wacipi circles.

Marla C. Bull Bear
Executive Director
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Marla is a member of the Milks Camp Community of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and is the founder and Executive Director of Lakota Youth Development. Marla received her Masters in Counseling from Sinte Gleska University (SGU), a tribal university located on the Rosebud Reservation. She is a former chairwoman of the Board of Regents for Sinte Gleska University. In addition, Marla has served the state in various capacities including serving 12 years on the State Alcohol and Drug Advisory Council and Chairwoman of that council for 5 years ending her service in 2005 having last been appointed by Governor Janklow.
Certifications/Memberships: AIANTA member

Lo Coffman
Grants Manager & Language Coordinator
Lo hails from Panama City, Florida, but has bounced across the world and the U.S. for the last decade. They have served for 5 years with Americorps and Peace Corps (two of those years with LYD as our grant writer & marketing specialist) and they joined the staff after the completion of their Americorps service. They are currently a Master’s student of Linguistics with a research focus on language revitalization through land-based programs and education policy.
Certifications/Memberships: AIANTA member

Charles Bull Bear
Facilities Manager
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Charles is a member of Milk Camp community serving as community chair and also vice-chairman. Charles has received a two year degree in physical health education and environmental science. He graduated from federal law enforcement and served as a ranger and police officer for Rosebud Sioux Tribe for 20 years. He has been volunteering for Lakota Youth Development since retirement.
Fred has been involved for 8 years in various roles and activities. He has expanded his horizons working with children such as Youth Specialist at Boys and girls club in Mission, SD and as a Project coordinator for the teen side of BGC Mission.
His equine knowledge comes from spending a year as an Equine Specialist at Tiwahe Glu Kini Pi where he learned various skills on how to take care of horses such as trimming hooves and grooming.
Fred enjoys are hunting, fishing and just being out in the wilderness with his wife. He also loves to teach and learn about his indigenous way of life. Fredrick is eager to continue his way of life with LYD and learn all that he can from the elders before him.

Fred Fast Horse
Prevention Specialist
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Certifications/Memberships: NOLS Wilderness First Responder

Tyler Makes Room for Them
Youth Development Specialist
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Tyler Rose Makes Room For Them is an enrolled Sicangu Lakota of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and current member of Milks Camp Community located in Gregory County. She is the daughter of Ophelia Blue Thunder and the late Marty Makes Room For Them. Her dad Marty was a well known Lakota singer and was the lead singer of Memorial Drum. Her parents gave her Lakota teachings of ceremonies, traditonal
arts, song and dance. She has been working with Lakota Youth Development for 7 years, first as
Chaperone, then Independent Living Specialist (IL Services) and now a Youth Development Specialist. Tyler is active in her Lakota culture and expert Beadwork Creator and Women’s Stationary Traditional dancer. She enjoys working the youth, teaching and sharing knowledge or Lakota culture and offers lectures and classes on beadwork, parfleche, and Lakota designs.
Certifications/Memberships: AIANTA member

Nate Bull Bear
Honey Lodge Manager
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Certifications/Memberships: NOLS Wilderness First Responder

Felisha Fast Horse
Chef & Housekeeper
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Certifications/Memberships: NOLS Wilderness First Responder

Carrie Odegard
Administrative Assistant
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Certifications/Memberships: NOLS Wilderness First Responder
