Ceremonies help keep social and individual balance

It was a great honor to be able to attend the family honoring for Amanda Takes War Bonnett several weeks ago which was held at the Legion Hall in Martin. Myself, Francis Whitebird and number two son, Beaux were honored to be present.

Many Lakota people are instructed to avoid any kind of reference to themselves as their accomplishments are talked about and that cultural lesson is something that Amanda has taken to heart with her humility.

Usually the practice is that someone else will highlight our accomplishments and share those with the public.

She learned a great many lessons from her mother, Rebecca who was quite fluent in Lakota and who would often explain those values in life that would carry her children into the future.

Her daughter Jennifer and son-in-law, Jason Drapeaux essentially organized the event and made sure that the hall was appropriately decked out in purple table cloths and bundles of cedar and lavendar was available at each table to take home. Nearly 100 people attended the event that ended with a roast beef dinner.

Amanda has the best work ethic I have ever witnessed and her work is superb over the years she has been a newspaper woman. I have often told her that she is like an artist in that she literally assembles what amounts to a mini-thesis each week.

Jennifer said, "My mother has come a long way, she has so many accomplishments in her life, but she had many losses this past year. My aunt, Charlene passed away; I know my mom took it hard…So I wanted to do this honoring for my mother and my family. To honor my mother's life and all that she has done for our family and others as well."

"My mom loved what she did, she took pride in her career. When I was little in the 1980s in Martin. I remember going with her to work at the newspaper office. I remember the long nights and her deadlines. I saw how strong my mom was, the strength she had drove her career in a good way.

"I was always amazed at how fast my mom was on the computer. She pushed us to be technology oriented. The paper business moved to Rapid city, that meant we all moved to Rapid City.

"I remember helping by pasting and cuting. I also helped by cleaning the offices. I grew up around the newspaper. I saw how my mom met so many people, she knew how to do her job, she knew how to talk to people, she loved what she did.

"Not only did this career help my mom strive for a better life and to be a better person, but it helped me as her daughter to strive for that pride as well," Jennifer said of her mom.

Larry Swalley begin the honoring with a Lakota ceremony istamniyanpi bakintapi in remembrance of Charlene, while explaining to those in the circle that as one of the sacred rites of the Lakota it was an appropriate thing to do to help the family to heal. He gave an explanation of how cultural ceremonies were used to keep social and individual balance and still are used that way.

She has a good understanding of school and community relations and the No Child Left Behind Act.

Her journalism and graphic artists experiences have spanned from the early 1980 to now.

Francis Whitebird of St. Francis conducted a name giving ceremony in which the Lakota name Woonspe wicak'u win which translates to woman who gives knowledge to the people was formally bestowed on Amanda. It was originally given to her informally years ago by her brother in law Bat DuBray who is now deceased.

She has earned several degrees from Oglala Lakota College and has a great interest in family counseling.

Her children are Jennifer, Vanessa and Jeremy Takes War Bonnett all of Martin and Leon Takes War Bonnett, Jr., of Ft. Yates, N.D. She also has ten grandchildren of her own and more than 100 from her siblings.

I am very proud of Amanda as she has been a great inspiration in my life with her intelligence and gentle ways.