Pine Ridge, SD — Native Nations Rebuilders Program (cohort 6) - Blue Dawn was raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the Payabya Community. She is a graduate of Red Cloud High School and Oglala Lakota College, earning a bachelor’s degree in social science with a minor is Lakota studies. She is also a Gates Millennium Scholar. Blue Dawn is the current administrative assistant for Lakota Immersion Child Care, the first “language nest” on the Pine Ridge Reservation. She assists children from 18 months to five years in learning the Lakota language. Blue Dawn enjoys advocating for the Lakota traditions and culture and believes it is the only source that will assist in the strengthening and flourishing of her people. Blue Dawn has been with her partner for 10 years, and they have two sons.
