SITTING BULL COLLEGE

Added: 2026-05-20

[00:00:06]ARE We are high.

[00:02:06]ST. STAY.

[00:03:14]STAY.

[00:04:08]What that means is you as a singer are telling the people you're telling them as you come to this So now that they felt it in their heart sing.

[00:05:00]That's what it talks about. Everybody's just We are here.

[00:05:40]We are are neighbor.

[00:06:42]Thank you.

[00:06:49]I promise you.

[00:07:15]Eat.

[00:07:25]Hey. Hey.

[00:08:23]Thank you.

[00:08:26]Hallelujah.

[00:08:50]We are We are Hey, I We are we are we felt I love you.

[00:10:32][crying] [crying] are we are we are we We are we are [crying] we I never soul.

[00:12:12]Heyo. Hey singers.

[00:12:36]We are the head.

[00:12:56]We are WE ARE HAPPY.

[00:13:27]My darling. WON'T you me?

[00:14:08]I love you.

[00:14:11]Won't you come with ME TO WE ARE DARLING.

[00:14:54]THE WE ARE HEAD are We are there.

[00:15:50]We are eligible college.

[00:16:17]My name is Chris. the dctor of the teacher education program here at City College. I'm honored to be your master of ceremonies for this afternoon celebration.

[00:16:26]I invite you to please stand for our processional which will be provided by our 1806.

[00:16:32]Our flag bears for this afternoon flag.

[00:17:36]Hallelujah.

[00:17:41]Hallelujah.

[00:17:56]>> [crying] >> Hallelujah.

[00:18:14]are hallelujah.

[00:18:44]>> [crying] >> Hallelujah.

[00:19:18]Hallelujah.

[00:19:43]Hallelujah.

[00:19:46]Hallelujah.

[00:20:53]Please remain standing.

[00:21:50]>> [screaming and crying] >> [ __ ] >> [crying] [screaming] >> HIGH.

[00:22:47]HIGH.

[00:22:55]SHORE.

[00:22:58][crying] HEY, please help me welcome one of our graduates, Arlet Lonus, to the stage to give our opening prayer.

[00:24:01]And machin Maza Komi.

[00:24:40]I will now say the prayer.

[00:24:53]Fore speech.

[00:25:25]Thank you, Arlette. Please be seated.

[00:25:28]Unless you want to stand, you sure can.

[00:25:33]I'm honored to introduce to you uh our first speaker or welcome. I would like to introduce Standing Rock Sue Tribal Tribe Councilwoman Nola Taken Alive to provide our welcome.

[00:25:58]live. Um, good morning, good afternoon.

[00:26:01]Um, I just want to say on behalf of chairman sitting bear, um, a good warm welcome to the graduates, the families, the children, and all of our relatives who are here to celebrate a huge, uh, milestone for a lot of our young people.

[00:26:19]Um, I just wanted to say also that on behalf of the chairman, I know he wasn't able to be here last minute. I got told five minutes before I pulled in here that uh, can you fill in for me? So on the spot, I'm um trying to do our best to welcome you and and uh share how proud we are from the Santa Rox tribe and as well as the health education welfare committee that um we I I was visiting with Dallas back here and he said what was something you know how how important is this? And I remember in 2000, that's how long ago I graduated from college, but it was such a huge um accomplishment for somebody to become a doctor or someone to become um you know, graduate with their bachelor's degree.

[00:27:06]But now we have so many young people, so many brilliant, intelligent relatives who are making our nation bigger, stronger, prouder, and bringing so much strength and healing to our people. So on behalf of the Sanaku tribe, I want to say congratulations to all of you who put in the the hard work, the sweat, the tears, the you know the long nights studying, the stress that you went through to accomplish your goal and also to make our nation stronger as indigenous people. So Leela Watanka Midakia Oasi [applause] Please help me welcome our next speaker, the president of Sittingville College, Dr. Tommy Phillips, who will introduce faculty and staff and pro provide a short congratulatory message for the graduates.

[00:28:00][applause] Wakuya elashiun.

[00:28:22]Good afternoon graduates, esteemed elders paate, faculty, staff, honored guests, and members of our tribal nations. It is with great honor and privilege to welcome you to the 2026 Sitting Bull College graduation ceremony.

[00:28:43]I just want to remind us that Sitting Bull College was once a dream. We are thankful that the strong leaders before us had the fortitude and belief that our people could and would create our own tribal college made for our people and our communities. So City College is a dream come true.

[00:29:09]Today we gather not only to celebrate the academic accomplishments of our students but also to honor the journey, the resilience and spirit of our people.

[00:29:20]We are here to witness many dreams come true today. Our students dreams of making better lives for themselves and their families.

[00:29:31]Today is a celebration of our students.

[00:29:34]Today, your education earned by you, a degree or certificate that you can use to benefit not only yourself but your family and our nation.

[00:29:45]City College is better because you showed up and are here now. I am happy and proud of all of you.

[00:29:54]As a tribal college, we are rooted in the values, languages, traditions, and histories of our Lakota and Dakota nations. You are not only receiving a degree today. You are taking your place as scholars and leaders who will contribute to the sovereignty, wellness, and continued growth of our people.

[00:30:17]Graduates, your presence here today is a powerful testament to perseverance, commitment, and strength. You have walked a path that many have walked before you to help clear. And in doing so, you now carry that torch for future generations.

[00:30:38]Graduation is a celebration of your successes and accomplishments. It's also a time for recognition of our faculty and staff successes. For it is with their guidance and encouragement that help our students walk across this stage. When our students are successful, then we at City College are successful.

[00:31:01]At this time, I want to acknowledge our city college family, staff, faculty, and administration, board of trustees.

[00:31:11]Please stand.

[00:31:19]Our students come with dreams and these are the ones the people that help them achieve their goals. These are the dream builders.

[00:31:37]Thank you from your amazing guidance, dedication and support.

[00:31:42]To the families and communities who have supported these graduates, Opil Latona, your love, guidance, and sacrifices made this day possible. And to our elders, your wisdom is the foundation of all we do. We honor you and thank you for walking with us.

[00:32:01]Graduates, let this day serve as both a celebration and a reminder.

[00:32:07]The knowledge you carry is sacred and powerful. The path you walk now leads into a world that needs your voice, your skills, and your heart. Congratulations, class of 2025.

[00:32:21]We are proud of you. We believe in you, and we look forward to all that you will do.

[00:32:33][applause] I have one more acknowledgement.

[00:32:43]It is difficult to fully express the gratitude that we feel to this person for her years of leadership, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to our city college. Her service as VO vice president of operations has been more than a position. It has been a commitment to our students and the future of indigenous education.

[00:33:10]Through her guidance, countless students found encouragement, faculty and staff found support, and our institution grew stronger in both spirit and purpose. She will not retire until the end of the year, but we wanted to acknowledge her 30 years of service. So with that, [applause] our vice president, Dr. Korean wrestler.

[00:33:54]We weren't supposed to do that until tomorrow. So, she was she's surprised.

[00:33:59]So, thank you, Karine.

[00:34:10]Thank you, Dr. Phillips. Um, before I ask the next speaker to come up, I have been asked to announce that we've had an emergency here. So, if you are parked on the south side of the pavilion, which I believe is this way, um, we're asking you to move your vehicle to a different parking spot. So, um, hate to ask you to do that in the middle of the ceremony, but they are asking you to move your vehicle if you're parked on the south side of, uh, the parking lot, right?

[00:34:39]Or have somebody, we're going to take a we're going to take a short break while we do that so we don't miss anything. So, Hey, [singing] >> I don't want to hear it anymore.

[00:35:16]Our love's been thrown out the door.

[00:35:21]Don't tell me you want me, need me, or love [singing] me.

[00:35:28]Because I'm no longer your baby.

[00:35:33]Heyo. Heyo. Heyo. [singing] Hey. Io.

[00:35:40]Hey.

[00:35:44]Hey, we are we are I [singing] hey Io hey I don't want to hear it anymore.

[00:36:12]Our love's been thrown out the door.

[00:36:17]Don't tell me you want me, need me, or love me because I'm no longer your lady.

[00:36:29]Heyo. Heyo. [singing] Heyo.

[00:36:33]Heyo.

[00:36:36]Hey.

[00:36:38]Hey.

[00:36:40]Hey. We are. Hey.

[00:36:43]Hey.

[00:36:46]I I don't want to hear it anymore.

[00:37:07]Our love's been thrown out the door.

[00:37:13]Don't tell me you want me, need me, or love me.

[00:37:19]Because I'm no longer your baby.

[00:37:25]Hey hey [singing] where I hey hey I Hey, hell. Heyo.

[00:37:58]I don't want to hear it anymore.

[00:38:03]Our love's been thrown out the door.

[00:38:08]Don't tell me you want me, need me, or love me.

[00:38:15]Because I'm no longer your lady.

[00:38:20]Hey. Oh. Hey. Oho. Hey, [singing] [music] [screaming] I see >> [singing] >> way. Hey, way out.

[00:39:19]We're going away.

[00:39:29]away.

[00:39:30]I the MOST OUT.

[00:40:04][music] I'll be going way [music] THE MOST >> [music] >> WE'RE going way [music] out God, we're going way way.

[00:41:15][music] [music] Work them out. Be a soup gag. We're going way [music] Welcome.

[00:42:20]Please make your way back to your seats.

[00:42:21]We'll get back in. We'll get started as soon as we get the majority of people back in here. Thank you for your patience and let's go. [singing] I well I [singing] [singing] [singing] oh We hey I well hey I [singing] well I Oh, we [singing] hey we are we are we are hey I hey hey I [singing] [singing] got I [singing] Oh, well hey where are we? Where are we? Where are we? We are Hey, I Hey.

[00:45:32]>> [music] [music] >> Hey, we all >> [music] >> Hey, [music] we high.

[00:46:15]We are here.

[00:46:18]Hey, [music] hey, hey.

[00:46:31][music] Hey, [music] [music] we are here Hey hey heyo heyo.

[00:47:14]There is something about you that gets [singing] me in the groove.

[00:47:19]I want to sing for you. [music] I want to dance for you.

[00:47:26]There is just something about you that makes me want to move.

[00:47:32]Heyo.

[00:47:36]Hey, where are we?

[00:47:57]Hey Io [music] hey higher here I Hey hey higher [singing] here. We are here.

[00:48:54]We are We are high.

[00:49:11]There is something about you that gets me in the groove.

[00:49:17]I want to sing for you.

[00:49:21]I want to dance for you.

[00:49:24]There is just something about you that makes me wonder.

[00:49:30]Heyo. Heyo. Heyo. [music] Hey.

[00:49:45][singing] High. [singing] [singing] [singing] It's been a long road, a lonely road.

[00:50:16]I WALKED ON.

[00:50:20]I walked alone. [singing] Please tell me [singing] I'll be okay.

[00:50:32]On my own.

[00:50:37]All I [singing] [singing] Hey.

[00:50:52][singing] Hey.

[00:51:01]Hey.

[00:51:04][singing] It's been a long road, a lonely ride.

[00:51:15]I walk.

[00:51:19]I walk alone.

[00:51:23]Please tell me [singing] I'll be okay on my own.

[00:51:34]Hey, hey, [singing] hey.

[00:51:53][music] Where are we? I know.

[00:52:32]Where are you?

[00:52:36][singing] Where are you?

[00:52:46]Where [singing] are you?

[00:52:57]way and I [singing] though you left this as I [music] know time keeps moving forward since you made your journey home. [music] I feel lost and lonely.

[00:53:28]You're not here to hold me. No.

[00:53:37]Where are now?

[00:53:49]Where are you?

[00:54:03]Way home. [singing] Where are way?

[00:54:16]Oh, though you left this earth. I know.

[00:54:27][music] Time keeps moving forward since you made your journey home.

[00:54:41]I feel lost and lonely.

[00:54:45]You're not here to hold me. No more.

[00:55:07]Y we are I highly [singing] Heyo. [singing] Heyo.

[00:55:50]Yeah. Hey.

[00:55:58][singing] Yeah. We are we are [music and singing] Hey way.

[00:56:10]Heyo [singing] away.

[00:56:14]Hey Hey [music] [singing] yo heyo hey.

[00:56:58]Heyo.

[00:57:01]Hey [singing] yo hey way hey [singing] I I way [singing] [singing] weo.

[00:58:00][singing] Hey, I Way [singing] our way.

[00:58:46]Hey, I [singing] highway.

[00:59:08][singing] [singing] Hey way we >> [singing] >> Y we are we [singing] are we heyo [singing] your You are Yeah.

[01:00:05]YEAH.

[01:00:16]Egg is way >> [singing] >> way.

[01:00:56]Yeah.

[01:01:05][singing] Yeah.

[01:01:16]Hey Now watch my take on my Yeah. Yeah. We are we are we are Hey monkey, I just [music] give monkey.

[01:02:51]Yeah. Yeah. We are we are we are [music] [music] [singing] now watch again.

[01:03:41]Hey monkey.

[01:04:03]I just [music] watch [music] help.

[01:04:29]>> [music] [music] [music] >> know who [singing] I give it TO THE NORTHERN QUEEN SER.

[01:05:09][screaming] [crying] [screaming] HIGH [screaming] [screaming] SHIELD. Are you here?

[01:05:57]>> [screaming] >> the [screaming] whole time.

[01:06:09]So, we're still waiting. As soon as we get the all clear, then we can START [screaming] [screaming] [screaming] AWAY.

[01:06:39]WHERE ARE YOU? [screaming] [screaming] HEY, [screaming] HEY, HEY.

[01:07:05][screaming] [crying] HEY, [screaming] WHERE ARE [screaming] THE THEY WERE SMILING.

[01:07:51]THE [screaming] SINGING MY MIND THE [screaming] WHOLE TIME.

[01:08:03][screaming] >> [screaming] >> Where are we?

[01:08:16][screaming] OH HEY [screaming] [screaming] [screaming] [screaming] WHERE ARE WE?

[01:08:51]WHERE ARE THE HIGHWAY?

[01:08:58]>> [screaming] [screaming] >> Sounds like we're just about ready to start the game. SO, >> [screaming] >> WHERE YOUR HAND [screaming] FOUND MY SWEET [screaming] [screaming] >> [screaming] >> GET [screaming] YOUR [screaming] [screaming] There were SMILING JUST LIKE [screaming] IN MY MIND THE WHOLE TIME [screaming] WE HAD ALL BEAUTIFUL. [screaming] Wonderful science.

[01:11:12]>> Before we get started with our next [crying] speaker, we have asked the six singers.

[01:11:19][music] >> [screaming] >> FIRE [screaming] [music] UP. HEY, thank you.

[01:12:09][screaming] >> [screaming] [screaming] >> GOD [music] Lay your hand.

[01:13:00][music] [screaming] HALLELUJAH.

[01:13:28][screaming] >> [screaming] [music] >> HALLELUJAH.

[01:13:58][screaming] HALLELUJAH.

[01:14:07]GLORY.

[01:14:27][screaming] HALLELUJAH.

[01:14:38]>> [screaming] >> NEXT SPEAKER, I AM PLEASED TO announce one of our graduates.

[01:14:57]So, WELCOME TO >> [music] >> I BABY.

[01:15:28][screaming] [music] of my journey. There are a lot of great memories that I've made.

[01:15:59]On top of the learning experiences, I've met wonderful individuals and made new friendships throughout the semester.

[01:16:06]However, one of the biggest things I overcame was the fear of starting.

[01:16:11]I had the thoughts of maybe it's too late. Maybe I'm not ready. And I always questioned myself whether or not I had the discipline to work and to go to college to to achieve a degree in business administration.

[01:16:25]Taking my first step into college wasn't easy. I had to confront my fear of leaving my comfort zone. But once I did, I realized it's never too late to begin something that can positively change your life. And from that moment on, everything started to shift. It wasn't always easy. There were days I felt motivated and everything seemed possible. I felt unstoppable with my work and studies. But there were days when I was tired, overwhelmed, and again, I questioned myself if I should continue schooling.

[01:16:57]At times, balancing responsibilities felt too much. Times when life didn't slow down just because I had deadlines to meet. There were times I had to push myself even when I didn't feel ready.

[01:17:08]However, I know I'm not alone. Many of us here today didn't just go to school.

[01:17:14]We balanced jobs, family responsibilities, and personal challenges. We showed up for others while still trying to show up for ourselves. And that alone always isn't easy. Personally, when someone asked me for help, I always went above and beyond to help them with their work, even though I only had an hour or so to turn in a paper. But I wouldn't change it for the world because at the end of the day, even though when times got hard and when we doubted ourselves and even when we thought quitting might have been easier, we kept going. We pushed ourselves and proved to ourselves that we are capable.

[01:17:48]I'm sure many of us here today carry stories of perseverance, stories of pushing through fear, doubt, and challenges, and continued to show up even when it felt easier to give up.

[01:18:00]That's what makes today so powerful and meaningful. Beyond the education we gained here at Sitting Bull College, we built confident and strength. We learned that growth begins the moment that we take the first step, even when we're uncertain about where it might lead.

[01:18:16][clears throat] The support we all receive from our family, friends, and mentors. Those who believed in us, encouraged us, and reminded us why we began. Your support carried us to this moment, and for that, we are truly grateful. As we move forward with our lives and step into the next chapter, remember that it's never too late to start something. Fear doesn't mean stop.

[01:18:37]It means grow. We are all stronger than we think. We don't have to have all the answers. We just have to keep pushing and moving forward. As we leave here today, whether we're traveling near or far, I wish each of you a safe journey home. And may your achievements, your strengths, and your dreams, May you carry your achievements, your strengths, and your dreams with you wherever life takes you next. Class of 2026, this is our moment, not only to celebrate everything we've overcome and achieve, but to step forward with confidence into everything that lies ahead. Congratulations to everyone today. And thank you, [music] >> [applause] >> That wasn't so bad, Julius. You did very well.

[01:19:28]>> All right. Next, I would like to introduce our chair of the board of trustees, Avis Redbear, who will make an honorary degree presentation.

[01:19:43]>> Little bit short there. Chante of the Avis redberry machi.

[01:19:50]I am so thankful um today that I get to bestow this great honor on one of our respected elders.

[01:19:58]Um the honorary degree recipient this year is Berna Redhorse Bailey. And um I'm going to read this I'm going to read this for you. Um, Verna was born on January 4th, 1940. Her parents are Leo Redhorse Senior and Agnes Nohart Red Horse. She is married to Sydney Bailey Senior for the last 64 years. Together, they are blessed with daughters Kathy, Marsha, who is now deceased, Bernardet, Mary Lee, and Margaret, and sons Sid Jr., Chuck, Wall-E, Brian W. and Larry, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

[01:20:46]Verna attended school at Fort Yates before graduating from Flandro Indian School in 1958.

[01:20:53]She graduated from the state school of science in 1960.

[01:20:58]She attended University of Colorado in the summer of 1959.

[01:21:02]She also took classes at the University of North Dakota, Bismar Junior College, and Standing Rock Community College, which is now CityO College. Verna's first job with the tribe was with the family plan program in June of 1960.

[01:21:20]She then worked in clerical areas, adult education, project analyst for social services, research assistants in a rights protection program, management specialist, administrative officer, court administrator, and tribal council.

[01:21:38]After retiring in 2005, he went back to work for short periods of time in election constitution programs, surge coordinator for Dakota peacekeepers and training. Overall, Verna worked for the tribe for over 40 years, giving her a wealth of work experience. Also, she was an intern in a teacher training program with Standing Rock Community College in 1978. In 1979, she accepted a short-term appointment to the court services administration committee at the North Dakota Supreme Court. Versa Verna also served as a member of the Department of the Interior and Department of Health and Human Services Indian South Determination Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. She was one of our four tribal members selected to represent the Aberdine area to recommend changes to 638 regulations in 1994.

[01:22:38]At retirement, Verna believes that those who know her appreciate the difficulty that was hers in leaving the workplace and will not forget how much the tribe means to her. She knows that the younger generations will develop the capability to always move forward in a good way and to provide good leadership to the people of Standing Rock.

[01:23:01]So with great honor, I present this honorary degree to Verna.

[01:23:11][music] >> [applause] >> This is truly a wonderful experience for me and a great honor. Opila, thank you.

[01:23:40]I have had a long journey for over 86 years.

[01:23:47]These years were not without challenges, problems, mistakes, both personal and in the workplace.

[01:23:59]But here I am.

[01:24:03]The men that I knew in the early 1960s would tell me that I come from the people who hung around the fort. Here it is, 2026, and I'm still hanging around the fort.

[01:24:22]for the graduates.

[01:24:24]No matter where life takes you, our prayers for your safety and well-being go with you.

[01:24:35]Also the prayers will continue that you be granted the courage, the wisdom and the strength to always do what is right for yourselves, your family and the community in which you choose to live.

[01:24:56]Congratulations and many thanks to the staff and the people who helped you come to this day.

[01:25:04]Congratulations and thank you for the staff for bringing them here today. Thank you.

[01:25:49]All right, ladies and gentlemen, our distinguished speaker for our celebration today is Dallas Goldtooth.

[01:26:01]Dallas Goldtoothoth is a father, writer, actor, playwright, film producer, comedian, and an organizer.

[01:26:09]He is Made Waton Dakota and Da from the Lower Sue Indian Community. He was a writer on the hit series FX's Reservation Dogs and has performed on Amazon's Fallout, Apple TV, Fox, Disney, NBC's Peacock, Comedy Central, and the BBC. He is a co-create co-creator of indigenous comedy group the 1491s and worked as an international climate justice organizer against fossil fuels.

[01:26:36]Please help me welcome Mr. Dallas Goldtooth [applause] >> young warriors. Good to see you. How you doing today?

[01:26:56]If you're Lakota, make some noise.

[01:26:59][cheering] All right, for our graduates, raise your hand if you're not Lakota.

[01:27:07]All right, what tri what tribe are you?

[01:27:10]Oh, you're white. Okay. All right. Wash you.

[01:27:13]Good for Well, see, look at DEI works.

[01:27:16]It's good here. Good job. Yeah. Who else? What? Who else raised their hand?

[01:27:21]What What tribe are you?

[01:27:23]>> Northern Rample. You got to get out of here.

[01:27:27]Your graduation's down the hall.

[01:27:36]Uh, my name is Dallas Goldtooth.

[01:27:40]Now, I'm not egotistical enough to assume that all of you know who I am.

[01:27:48]In fact, I operate off the assumption there's at least maybe 15 of you who don't know who I am. And that's okay.

[01:27:57]That's fine. To the 15 people out there, just so you know, the other hundreds of people in here know for an undeniable fact the color and shape of my nipples.

[01:28:16]Your your neighbor next to you knows what I look like beneath these clothes.

[01:28:24]That's right. Your cushi. They've seen me topless and that's a blessing for them. I I I blessed them.

[01:28:34]That's medicine.

[01:28:38]Yes. For ladies and gentlemen and all those in between. My name is Dallas Goldtooth.

[01:28:45]Renowned actor, accomplished writer, loving father, attentive husband, threetime national pole dance champion.

[01:28:54][laughter] I was crowned best future elder by a poll I saw on Facebook.

[01:29:00]And I'm one of the most humble native men you will ever meet. It's true. You can ask the elders back home. They'll tell you how humble I am. I'm the most humble one in this room right now.

[01:29:13]>> [laughter] >> And as the most humble man here, I want to say on behalf of Sitting Bull College, on behalf of the Standing Rock Sue Nation, on behalf of the Oette Shakoy, and on behalf of me, congratulations to the graduating class of 2026.

[01:29:34][applause] And I am happy to be back in Standing Rock right now. Oh man, feel good.

[01:29:47]Last time I spent some time here, it was for a little culture camp up on the Cannonball River. I don't know if you guys remember that about 10 years ago.

[01:29:54]Little culture camp, little thing, you know. Been so long now.

[01:29:59]I'm not uh I'm not afraid anymore.

[01:30:03]A lot of people did some crazy stuff up there.

[01:30:08]I'm telling you, I'm not afraid. I'm going to start naming names.

[01:30:12]Call me snitch. I don't care.

[01:30:15]I'mma name it. Nola taken alive. I saw her punch a cop.

[01:30:20]It's true.

[01:30:23]You're the the tribal president Tommy Phillips. She brought a bunch of youth up there and she taught them how to throw a Molotov cocktail at a cop car.

[01:30:31]She threw it at this truck. It was a dappel truck she called it.

[01:30:36]Chess had it turned out to be just some guy from kennel in his truck, but his ex liked it. So she's like, "Oh, that's right. Burn it all his stuff.

[01:30:46]Burn it all." [laughter] >> She even uh Cushi Verna Bailey, she got involved in it. You guys may not know this. This is information I know. This is all true.

[01:30:59]This is all true.

[01:31:01]Kushi.

[01:31:02]She went behind enemy lines under the barb wire and she would slash National Guard member tires.

[01:31:12]They called her the grey wolf. That's her name.

[01:31:16]She earned her feathers that day. She's a warrior. You honor her that way right now. Honor song. [laughter] But I mention it because one, it's been 10 years since the fight, but I bring it up because it demonstrated something that makes us different. That fight, it also demonstrates what makes Citybell College different.

[01:31:49]You see, when we stand up to fight in defense of our families, our relatives, of the land, the outside world often sees us standing up to fight against something. But what we are taught is that we're standing up to fight for something.

[01:32:07]We are taught that our duty is not only to look in the past and remember who we are, but we have a duty to look out for the next seven generations to come.

[01:32:20]that defines who we are as native people and the institution that is the city college is no different and I want to honor the college at this time.

[01:32:32]Tribal colleges are not just schools, especially the Sydney Bow College.

[01:32:38]It is an act of sovereignty.

[01:32:42]Sydney B college was not supposed to exist, but it exists because this tribal nation decided to invest in itself.

[01:32:54]The tribe, the Standing Rocku Nation chartered this institution.

[01:32:59]The tribe believe that your community, this community deserve higher education rooted in its values and its vision and not go by the rules of those outside and that is powerful. So I want to acknowledge I ask us to give some a hose and clap our hands for the city college as an institution for the tribal nation who has invested all these years into it. So I want to GIVE US SOME AOS HERE.

[01:33:31]>> [applause] >> What city college did is it did not abandon who it was as an institution in order to become respected in the eyes of all the other institutions out there. It proved that you can meet high standards while remaining grounded in indigenous values.

[01:33:53]And you students are a consequence of that investment.

[01:34:01]So, my lesson for you today, what is my lesson? I got kind of nervous thinking about what am I going to what am I going to say? What do you guys Why did you guys ask me? Huh?

[01:34:12]They all saw my nipples. It's uh how do I follow up with that?

[01:34:18]Well, I think about the great words of Chief Sittingbull.

[01:34:24]Chief Sinbell once said, "Never look at two dogs get stuck together because you're going to get pink eye."

[01:34:34]He said that. [laughter] Don't look at those dogs and they're stuck together, you get pink eye. That's indigenous knowledge right there.

[01:34:43]I'm ser If you think I'm lying, it's cuz you're colonized.

[01:34:47]That was thinking took over your brain.

[01:34:52]No, I don't I don't I don't know if he really said that. I kind of just made that up.

[01:34:58]But the lesson I have is simple.

[01:35:04]Be useful.

[01:35:06]Be of use with your knowledge and the wisdom that you've learned here in this college. You have succeeded. You have succeeded on terms that outsiders may not fully understand.

[01:35:21]Because what you achieved here was never only an individ individual effort. Your success is also an acknowledgement of the parents, the aunties and uncles, the relatives who helped you, to the grandparents who prayed over you, to the children who waited for you to finish your homework, to the communities that made sacrifices so that this institution can be here in the first place.

[01:35:50]None of us arrive anywhere alone.

[01:35:54]And I think that's why this moment matters.

[01:35:58]Because when I look at each and every one of you, I don't just see graduates in in blue. I see future teachers. I see language protectors. I see nurses. I see organizers. I see business owners. I see leaders.

[01:36:16]I see trades people. I see future elders. Oh, future elder. Good to see you.

[01:36:23]A side note, it kind of trips me out that one day we're all going to be elders going to be like and your your little Tosha be like, "Hey, what do you used to listen to?" And they're like, "Oh, Takosa, I remember Kendrick Lamar sacred songs.

[01:36:37]Dr. Dre, we used to get down to that."

[01:36:42]It's going to be a weird conversation to have down the road, but I see people who help determine what kind of future our nations will have because I think it's important for us to remember that we are against we are working against systems that prioritize people over our power over people while we the warriors, the poets, the academics the teachers. We're cultivating a different sort of power. That's what you've been doing these past few years.

[01:37:19]You've been cultivating a power with people, not over.

[01:37:25]Power over people isolates.

[01:37:28]Power with people builds.

[01:37:31]And I think that matters in your where you're at right now and the next steps that you're about to take because power with people recognizes the difference between authority and wisdom.

[01:37:43]And they're not always the same thing.

[01:37:46]History is full of a pe is full of people who've used their authority, their wisdom, their degrees to assert authority.

[01:38:00]But I believe in your capability to be people who will use their wisdom and knowledge to disrupt those systems that harm our people and our earth.

[01:38:11]So when I say be useful to people, I mean this your task, our task is to cultivate action that grows community, which in turn grows sovereign nations.

[01:38:25]Share what you know, the knowledge that you've learned here. help people move through the world with a little less fear and a little bit more dignity.

[01:38:35]And whatever success or knowledge or influence that comes into your life going forward, do not use it to rise above people, the people.

[01:38:48]Use it to strengthen the collective power of the people.

[01:38:53]Because again, power over people isolates, but power with people builds.

[01:38:59]And that brings me to my last question I want to a question I want to leave with you tonight to all the graduates here.

[01:39:06]Simple question might be kind of hard, but are the best years of our people behind us?

[01:39:13]For the Lakota in the room, is the best years of the Lakota people behind us or are they ahead of us?

[01:39:23]Because if you believe they are ahead of us, then you are the people who will make that happen.

[01:39:32]Not someday, but now.

[01:39:35]The world has spent a long time telling our people what we cannot build, what we cannot become, what kind of future we are allowed to have.

[01:39:44]But it's because of institutions like the City Bull College. It's because of your investment in yourself and those that have invested in your education that you get to say otherwise.

[01:39:57]So the question now is not whether our nations have a future. The question is what kind of future will you build for the next seven generations?

[01:40:08]Because maybe the best years of our people are not behind us. Maybe they're waiting for you to step up.

[01:40:14]So from the bottom of my heart as Dallas Gold today ak William Knifeman in a good way, I want to say I love you. I am proud of you. Your people are proud of you and I look forward to seeing what comes next. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2026.

[01:40:35][applause and cheering] [music] He did it.

[01:41:09]All right. For the purpose of now for conferring degrees, I call upon Miss Redbear, chair of the City Bowl College Board of Trustees.

[01:41:19]Chair Redbear, I have the honor to present to you the following candidates for graduation, beginning with our master's degree students.

[01:41:27]First row of students, you may stand.

[01:41:50]We'll begin with our master's students in business administr business administration and then continue on to environmental science. The purpose of the hooding ceremony is to show a special recognition for master's degree students. During this ceremony, Masters of Business Administration students will be hooded by Dr. Rachel Coun and the Masters of Environmental Science students will be hooded by Dr. Mafani [ __ ] and they will be assisted by Dr. Karine Wrestler.

[01:42:15]They will place the hood over the head of the Masters graduates signifying their success in completing their graduate program.

[01:42:29]All right. Masters of business administration, Jamie Little Bear, Suma Kumlady.

[01:42:41][applause] You want to hold it?

[01:43:39]>> Masters of Science in Environmental Science. Daryl Fog in the morning.

[01:44:23]>> [applause] >> Masters of Science in Environmental Science. Erica Rookie.

[01:45:12]>> [applause] >> Masters of Science and Environmental Science. Our AEX Student Congress President Tanner Vio [cheering] [applause] Bachelor's of Arts in Native American Studies. Arlette Lonus, [applause] Bachelor's of Arts in Native American Studies. Alexandria Schwab, Magna Kumlad, Bachelors of Science and Business Administration. Cheyenne Dau, [applause] Bachelor of Science and Business Administration. Samantha Iron Shield in abstentia.

[01:47:05]Bachelor of Science Business Administration. Michael Shots in abstentia.

[01:47:10]Bachelor's of Science Business Administration. Marie Sho string in abstentia.

[01:47:17]Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice.

[01:47:19]Ethan Blackfox in abstentia.

[01:47:25]Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice.

[01:47:27]Darnell Seahair, [cheering] Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice.

[01:47:42]Lache Eagle [cheering] Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice.

[01:47:59]Mindy looking back. Kumlad, [applause] Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Jill Risenower, Sumu Kumlad.

[01:48:36]Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Juanetu, White Temple. Oh, Bachelor's of Science, Elementary Education, Jazz Star.

[01:49:15]Bachelors of Science in Envi in Environmental Science. Zachary Ridley, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. Precious yellow fat Magna Kumlad Bachelor of Science Information Technology Shang Agard Suma Kumlad and Associate of Applied Science in cyber security and data privacy.

[01:50:19]Bachelor's of Science in Information Technology, Justin Longfather, Suma Kumlady.

[01:50:36]Bachelor's of Social Work Deanna Milda Kumlad. Hey, Associate of Arts, Business Administration. Nathaniel Burr in Abstentia.

[01:51:33]Associate of Arts Business Administration. and Coral Gillette.

[01:51:38][cheering] Associate of Arts, Business Administration. Kiana Ironshield in abstentia.

[01:51:55]Associate of Arts. Tia Luger in abstentia.

[01:52:00]Associate of Arts Business Administration. Jalissa Mclofflin. Suma Kumlad, Associate of Arts, General Studies, Michael Brat Plenny, Kumlad, and Associate of Arts Native American Studies.

[01:52:28]Associate of Arts, General Studies, Neta Demery, Associate of Arts, General Studies.

[01:52:51]Adele Fast, Associate of Arts, General Studies, Rosalyn Fast Horse.

[01:53:27]Associate of Arts, General Studies.

[01:53:29]Alyssa Mclofflin, Magna Kumlad, >> Associate of Arts, General Studies.

[01:53:45]Jessa Mclofflin, Magna Kumlan, [applause] Associate of Arts, General Studies.

[01:54:03]Morgan Molash [applause] Associate of Arts, Native American Studies. The Janet Princess White Bull.

[01:54:24]Jessica, Associate of Science, Criminal Justice.

[01:54:33]Jessica Hernandez, Associate of Science, Criminal Justice, Rainey Red Tomahawk Suma Kumlady, [applause] Associate of Science, Criminal Justice, Samantha Ridley, Magna Kumlad, >> associate of science, environmental science. Celeste Corsair, Associate of Science, Environmental Science. Tamara Garter Kuma L.

[01:55:42]Associate of Science, Environmental Science, Cheyenne Labau, Associate of Science, Environmental Science. Kenton Walks.

[01:56:20]Associate of Science Information Technology. Michael Eagle, Associate of Science, Information Technology, Melody Gabe Kumlady.

[01:56:47]Associate of Science Information Technology, Malachi Gayton in Abstentia.

[01:57:00][screaming] Next we have associate of science practical nursing. The nursing department is marks is going to do a pinning event marking the important transition from student to nurse. This year the SBC practical nursing stu nursing student will receive her nursing pin during our ceremony. The graduate will be pinned following their acceptance of their diploma by director of division of nursing Candida Garing.

[01:57:31]The pinning event is a distinct is distinctive for the nursing community.

[01:57:35]It recognizes the importance of a first-time nursing graduate entering the nursing community with its rich and proud history. Not only does it mark the completion of student coursework, but the ceremony honors nursing graduates who will work in a career where they will have to be selfless for the good of many others. So, our associate of science and practical nurse nursing Autumn Redbear Kumlad.

[01:57:58][cheering] >> Hello.

[01:57:59]>> Hello. Am I?

[01:58:41]Associate of Science, Teacher Education.

[01:58:43]Amaya Pena.

[01:58:55]Associate of Science Teacher Education Judy Whip in Abstentia, Associate of Science, Human Services Technician Caitlyn Selenus. Yes.

[01:59:23][applause] Certificate. Veterinary assistant.

[01:59:47]Santana Grey Bear certificate veterinary assistant. Tommy Smith, KUMLAD CERTIFICATE, Building Trades. Dre Antelope.

[02:00:30]Certificate building trades. Jarus buyer magna kumlad certificate building trades. Adam Eagle Shield.

[02:00:55]Certificate building trades. Trace Harrison certificate building trades. Race Hoisington.

[02:01:21]>> Certificate building trades. Thomas Johnson certificate building trades. Trenton Long [applause] certificate building trades. Jacob Moran Kumlady certificate building trades. Miss Sue Peterson certificate building trades. Von Whiteball. Suma Kumlad.

[02:02:23]Certificate electrical Chad Agard in Abstentia.

[02:02:28]Certificate electrical Anthony Hopkins Magna Kumlad Certificate Electrical Dimmitri Scares the Hawk. Kumlad certificate electrical David Steel Magna Kumlady certificate electrical Troy Mer Kumlad Hey, [cheering] certificate electrical. Errol Velov Kumlad certificate welding. Killian Arshamble in abstentia.

[02:03:36]Certificate welding. Aciana Baker Ramsey in abstentia certificate welding Bobby Seahair Magna Kumlady certificate welding Braxton Dearis >> certificate welding Hayden Hanks in abstentia certificate welding. Samuel Thompson Magna Kumlady certificate welding. Antha Thundershield.

[02:04:29][applause] GED certificate Thomas Diesson, Michelle Halsna, Phoenix Hanks, and Christopher Meter in abstentia.

[02:05:34]Graduates, will you please stand?

[02:05:39]Upon the recommendation of the faculty and by the authority of the board of trustees, I confer upon you the degrees of master of science, bachelor of science, bachelor of arts, associate of arts, associate of science, certificate with all the rights and privileges and responsibilities pertaining thereto on this 14th day of May 2026.

[02:06:05]Students, change your tassels from right to left.

[02:06:10][cheering] [applause] >> All right. If you give us about 20 more minutes, then we'll finish up. Okay. If I could have the flag bears please come up and collect the flags, and then once they get them, we'll begin our recessional.

[02:07:20]In conclusion of these proceedings, we will have our newly degreed graduates of City Bowl College lead the recessional.

[02:07:26]So we ask our singers to please leave us or lead us in a processional song. Thank you.

[02:07:48]I high way higher.

[02:08:06]HIGH [singing] for [crying] I WAY I I [singing] am Ich.

[02:09:36][singing] I [crying] [screaming] HIGH [music] [singing] [music] way I take >> [singing] >> Go YOUR Hey God, [screaming] [crying] [screaming] hey.

[02:11:13][singing and music] High way high [music] [singing] way Hey oh HEY [music] [music] [music] your Oh, well [crying] [crying and screaming] [music] I TAKE [music] your Great.

[02:12:52]Your God [crying] [singing] way higher.

[02:13:21]high.

[02:13:24]I take away [music] [music] your I know.

[02:13:55]I am All right.

[02:14:36]Sing.

[02:14:48]Yeah.

[02:14:59]>> [music] >> Hallelujah.

[02:15:09][music] [singing] Hey, hey, hey. [music] HALLELUJAH.

[02:15:28]HEY, [music] [crying] I Hey, hey, hey. [music] Hey, we are higher. [music] Hey, hey, hey. [music] [groaning] I got [music] [music] higher.

[02:17:06]>> [music] >> Hey, Hey [music] y [music] it all.

[02:17:48]>> [music] >> HEY [music] YALLEL.

[02:18:14]We all [music] are high. [singing] Hey, we are higher.

[02:18:33][crying] I had a Oh, WELL [music] I am Hallelujah.

[02:19:10]HALLELUJAH.

[02:19:15][music] I am God.

[02:19:43]YEAH.

[02:19:56]LA.

[02:20:23]HALLELUJAH.

[02:20:27]>> [screaming] >> I DON'T WANT TO [screaming] GO AWAY.

[02:20:50]HIGH.

[02:21:26]ILLE [screaming] [music] HALLELUJAH.

[02:21:53][screaming] WAY.

[02:22:12]I love YOUR [laughter] [music] WAY.

[02:22:39][screaming] >> [groaning] >> Y [music] [music] are they are higher. Oh, hey.

[02:23:32][singing] Hey. I I [music and singing] give [singing] away.

[02:24:03][singing] >> [crying] >> Hey, now [music and singing] heaven.

[02:24:33]>> [music] >> Okay.

[02:24:38][music] Way.

[02:25:01]HEY all Hey, [music] [singing] [music and singing] give Hey, [singing] [music] [singing] hey, hey.

[02:25:51][music and singing] I high [music] [music] Oh, again [singing] [singing] I am all I am.

[02:26:48]MY HEART g I [singing] Way [singing] to Hallelujah.

[02:27:45]>> [singing] >> Oh Jing.

[02:28:01][singing and music] [singing] Hon [singing] asking you question.

[02:28:56]This