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Lakota Rose Madison (her Indian name is Tatanka Wijnyan meaning Buffalo Woman) was a Hunkpapa Lakota youth who grew up in the land of the Sioux leader Sitting Bull. Lakota was friendly to everyone and showed her leadership abilities at an early age by helping others. She was also a youth who had problems with alcohol, drugs and gang activities. In 2001, she visited Ohio and Pennsylvania for a conference and other speaking engagements. While there, Lakota spoke with pride about her heritage and culture. She also spoke honestly about the problems facing youth on her reservation. Many people were drawn to her as she invited them to share their stories and change their lives for the better. Before she returned to her reservation, she spoke to many people about her vision of having "safe houses" and cultural exchanges among different youth communities. Sadly, on June 12, 2001 at the age of 17, she was murdered before her vision could be realized. Lakota's story is a story about a person who struggled with her own challenges but kept getting up and trying to change her life for the better. It is a story about a young Lakota woman who knew we are all related. But, it is also the story of many young warriors who have been taken before their work was done.
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Lakota Rose Madison (her Indian name is Tatanka Wijnyan meaning Buffalo Woman) was a Hunkpapa Lakota youth who grew up in the land of the Sioux leader Sitting Bull. Lakota was friendly to everyone and showed her leadership abilities at an early age by helping others. She was also a youth who had problems with alcohol, drugs and gang activities. In 2001, she visited Ohio and Pennsylvania for a conference and other speaking engagements. While there, Lakota spoke with pride about her heritage and culture. She also spoke honestly about the problems facing youth on her reservation. Many people were drawn to her as she invited them to share their stories and change their lives for the better. Before she returned to her reservation, she spoke to many people about her vision of having "safe houses" and cultural exchanges among different youth communities. Sadly, on June 12, 2001 at the age of 17, she was murdered before her vision could be realized. Lakota's story is a story about a person who struggled with her own challenges but kept getting up and trying to change her life for the better. It is a story about a young Lakota woman who knew we are all related. But, it is also the story of many young warriors who have been taken before their work was done.