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 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.