In this final episode of Stories of Lakota Elders, Cecelia Fire Thunder reflects on healing, reconnection, and the hopes she carries for future generations. Joined by Ruthie Cedar Face, a respected counselor and community advisor, Cecelia enters a powerful conversation about what it means to return to our ways of life—through accountability, spirituality, and being good relatives to one another. Together, they share stories rooted in lived experience, offering insight into the ongoing work of healing—personal, cultural, and collective. Cecelia speaks to the importance of reconnecting with tradition, caring for ourselves and our communities, and carrying forward the teachings that guide us. As this series comes to a close, her words remind us that healing is lifelong, that connection is essential, and that hope lives in the generations rising forward. Wópila tȟáŋka for walking with us.

In this episode of Stories of Lakota Elders, Cecelia Fire Thunder shares how art became a pathway for healing, reflection, and connection to her ancestors. Through her work as an artist, Cecelia speaks about creating dolls as a way to honor the women who shaped her life—their strength, beauty, and spirit carried into each piece. Her creative process becomes a form of storytelling, memory, and care. She also reflects on the history of textiles and adornment in Lakota life, and shares a powerful moment from her work at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian—calling on her ancestors to guide her in that space. Cecelia’s story reminds us that art is more than creation—it is a way to heal, to remember, and to stay connected to those who came before us.

In this episode of Stories of Lakota Elders, Cecelia Fire Thunder continues reflecting on her presidency as the first woman elected President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Cecelia shares the defining moments that shaped her leadership—from her campaign and vision for her people to the resistance she faced as a Lakota woman in power. She speaks candidly about one of the most difficult chapters of her life—her impeachment—and the convictions that guided her through it. Cecelia also reflects on personal turning points, including the loss and restoration of her hearing, and how those moments brought clarity and purpose to her path. Through it all, her leadership remains grounded in prayer, her Lakota way of life, and the guidance of her ancestors. Her story is a powerful reminder that leadership is rooted in purpose, sustained by spirit, and not defined by title alone. Wópila tȟáŋka for listening.

In this episode of Stories of Lakota Elders, Cecelia Fire Thunder reflects on her historic journey to becoming the first woman elected President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. With clarity and courage, Cecelia shares what it meant to step into leadership in a space where Lakota women had not held that role before. She speaks to the responsibility, challenges, and purpose that guided her campaign and her time in office. Joined by South Dakota Representative Peri Pourier, this episode also explores the evolving landscape of Native leadership and political identity across tribal and state systems—offering a multi-generational perspective on service and representation. Cecelia’s story reminds us that leadership is not just about holding a position—it’s about creating pathways for others to rise. Wópila tȟáŋka for listening.

In this episode of Stories of Lakota Elders, Cecelia Fire Thunder reflects on the women, leaders, and mentors who helped shape her life and leadership. Through stories of friendship, mentorship, and shared purpose, Cecelia brings listeners into the circles she calls her SisterFriends—women who stood beside her, challenged her, and helped guide her path. From influential Native leaders to powerful voices across social justice movements, these relationships shaped her courage, vision, and commitment to her people. Cecelia shows that leadership is never built alone—it is nurtured through connection, trust, and community. Her story is a reminder that the people we walk with matter, and that sisterhood, mentorship, and shared strength are powerful forms of medicine. Wópila tȟáŋka for listening.

In this episode of Stories of Lakota Elders, Cecelia Fire Thunder shares her journey into urban Indian life through the federal Relocation Program, which brought her from her homelands to Los Angeles. Cecelia reflects on what it meant to be a young Lakota woman navigating a new and unfamiliar world—finding her way in the city, building community, and holding onto her identity in a place that wasn’t always welcoming. She speaks about the mentors, relatives, and Native leaders who shaped her path, and how those relationships helped lay the foundation for one of the first Native-run clinics in Los Angeles—creating a space for care, connection, and belonging. Through her story, Cecelia reminds us that wherever our people go, we carry our spirit, our values, and our responsibility to care for one another.

In this episode of Stories of Lakota Elders, Cecelia Fire Thunder continues sharing her experiences at Holy Rosary Mission boarding school—this time through an intergenerational conversation. Joined by young Lakota women Esperanza Rama and Tierra Baird, Cecelia reflects on daily life as a student—the routines, relationships, and moments that shaped her childhood. Through their questions, her story opens in new ways, creating space for deeper understanding across generations. Cecelia also shares a powerful reflection on healing—returning years later to reclaim a part of herself left behind. Her story reminds us that healing is ongoing, and that reconnecting with our spirit is part of that journey. This episode invites listeners into a space of listening, learning, and intergenerational connection—grounded in truth, resilience, and love. Wópila tȟáŋka for listening.

In this episode of Stories of Lakota Elders, Cecelia Fire Thunder shares her firsthand experiences as a student at Holy Rosary Mission boarding school. With honesty and reflection, Cecelia speaks to the complexity of boarding school life—the good, the bad, and the painful. She offers a deeply personal account of what it meant to grow up within this system, while reminding us that each boarding school story is different and carries its own truth. Cecelia also reflects on her journey of healing, sharing how understanding childhood trauma and its lasting impacts helped her make meaning of her experiences. Her willingness to speak openly is an act of courage—one that invites listeners into deeper reflection, compassion, and truth. This episode contains discussion of Indian boarding schools and may be difficult for some listeners. Please take care while listening.

In the first episode of Stories of Lakota Elders, Cecelia Fire Thunder—respected elder, former president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and a beloved leader across Lakota homelands—invites listeners into the beginning of her story. With warmth, humor, and honesty, Cecelia shares her birth story and teachings of emergence, identity, and Lakota motherhood. Grounded in culture and lived experience, her voice carries the strength, memory, and wisdom of generations. This opening episode sets the foundation for a powerful journey through her life. Cecelia’s story continues in the next episode as she reflects on her time in boarding school and the experiences that shaped her path. Wópila tȟáŋka for listening.

In Stories of Lakota Elders, a podcast presented by Maȟpíya Lúta, Cecelia Fire Thunder—Oglala Lakota nurse, educator, and the first woman to serve as president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe—shares powerful reflections on her life, leadership, and the values that shaped her path. With wisdom and humor, she speaks about her dedication to Native health, education, and self-determination, offering listeners a moving glimpse into the strength and spirit of Lakota women.