FEATURED SPEAKERS
For a full list of presenters see the tentative agenda on the homepage
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
GENERAL SESSION-THURSDAY
DECEMBER 18TH, 2025
MO BRINGS PLENTY
BRENT GISH
DR. BERRY DUNN
Mo Brings Plenty is an enrolled Lakota who hails from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. His traditional name -- given to him as a young boy -- is Ta Sunke Wospapi ("catches his horse"); it befits a man who spends more time on his horses than anywhere else. As a Makes Room on his mother's side and a Brings Plenty on his father's, he is the stock of his grandfathers who fought at the Battle at Little Big Horn. Those familiar with the battle will know the strengths of those names and understand why Mo sees the world through the lens of the forces and sacrifices his family and ancestors made so that he could be here today. His relatives long passed are an intrinsic part of everything he does: every decision he makes and everywhere he goes.
As an actor, Mo is best known in his self-titled role as "Mo Brings Plenty," Chief Thomas Rainwater's enforcer on the Taylor Sheridan/ViacomCBS record-breaking juggernaut series Yellowstone. Moviegoers can now catch him playing "Shep Wauneka" in the newly released Jurassic World Dominion (2022) and as "Ottawa Jones" in Showtime's Peabody award-winning limited series The Good Lord Bird (2021). He has played "Crazy Horse," "Sitting Bull," and many other historical Indian notables who have solidified their place in this Country's history. And he has spent a fair amount of time in the biopic world twice portraying Charlie Soap -- the husband of the first woman elected Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the late Wilma Mankiller-- in The Cherokee Word for Water and Gloria Steinem's The Glorias, respectively.
Mo Brings Plenty is an actor, horse stunt rider, rancher, and American Indian storyline consultant. But above all, he is a man who wholeheartedly believes in human kindness, and he trusts the good in humanity still exists and feels it just needs to be dusted off a bit. Out of respect and honor for those who have come before us, Mo knows we have a profound obligation to leave a livable planet for those who will follow after we are gone, and he starts and ends every day, with thoughts of how he and we can make the world a better place while we are here.
When Mo isn't working as an actor, he can be found ranching or seeking ways to give back to his Lakota communities and Indian Country -- ways that include preserving culture, tradition and seeking cultural truth in diversity.
We are honored to have Mo Brings Plenty join us at the 2024 Lakota Nations Education Conference.
As an actor, Mo is best known in his self-titled role as "Mo Brings Plenty," Chief Thomas Rainwater's enforcer on the Taylor Sheridan/ViacomCBS record-breaking juggernaut series Yellowstone. Moviegoers can now catch him playing "Shep Wauneka" in the newly released Jurassic World Dominion (2022) and as "Ottawa Jones" in Showtime's Peabody award-winning limited series The Good Lord Bird (2021). He has played "Crazy Horse," "Sitting Bull," and many other historical Indian notables who have solidified their place in this Country's history. And he has spent a fair amount of time in the biopic world twice portraying Charlie Soap -- the husband of the first woman elected Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the late Wilma Mankiller-- in The Cherokee Word for Water and Gloria Steinem's The Glorias, respectively.
Mo Brings Plenty is an actor, horse stunt rider, rancher, and American Indian storyline consultant. But above all, he is a man who wholeheartedly believes in human kindness, and he trusts the good in humanity still exists and feels it just needs to be dusted off a bit. Out of respect and honor for those who have come before us, Mo knows we have a profound obligation to leave a livable planet for those who will follow after we are gone, and he starts and ends every day, with thoughts of how he and we can make the world a better place while we are here.
When Mo isn't working as an actor, he can be found ranching or seeking ways to give back to his Lakota communities and Indian Country -- ways that include preserving culture, tradition and seeking cultural truth in diversity.
We are honored to have Mo Brings Plenty join us at the 2024 Lakota Nations Education Conference.
Brent Gish currently serves as executive director of the National Indian Impacted Schools Association (NIISA). In this role, Brent advocates for over 600 school districts and over 115,000 students residing on tax exempt lands held in federal trust, tribally owned or Alaska Land Recovery Act property. As a result of these federal actions, Congress appropriates Impact Aid to compensate local public school districts for lost taxing authority. In his role as NIISA executive Director, Mr. Gish is advocates for full funding of the Impact Aid Program, monitors the reauthorization of the Program (Title VII of ESSA) and works for timely payments to federally impacted districts. Prior to his present position, Mr. Gish served on the executive boards of NIISA and NAFIS—the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools as well as many other tribal, local/regional, state, national and tribal college boards. During his service on these boards, he has been an outspoken advocate for the children residing on Indian lands and the school districts impacted by federal presence.
Brent’s experience in public education spans over 40 years and includes serving as an elementary classroom teacher, a K-6 principal and an innovative district superintendent. Mr. Gish has a proven ability to build and lead teams with clearly defined goals, focused on student learning and the diverse and evolving needs of students. His entire career in public education has been spent serving the students and families of the White Earth Ojibwe and Red Lake Ojibwe Nations in northern Minnesota.
Mr. Gish earned his Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree and Administrative Specialist licensure from Minnesota State Universities. In addition, he was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education. Brent and his wife Gayle reside in northern Minnesota’s lakes and woodlands.
Brent Gish will be presenting as a Keynote speaker and will also be a presenter at the preconference "A".
Brent’s experience in public education spans over 40 years and includes serving as an elementary classroom teacher, a K-6 principal and an innovative district superintendent. Mr. Gish has a proven ability to build and lead teams with clearly defined goals, focused on student learning and the diverse and evolving needs of students. His entire career in public education has been spent serving the students and families of the White Earth Ojibwe and Red Lake Ojibwe Nations in northern Minnesota.
Mr. Gish earned his Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree and Administrative Specialist licensure from Minnesota State Universities. In addition, he was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education. Brent and his wife Gayle reside in northern Minnesota’s lakes and woodlands.
Brent Gish will be presenting as a Keynote speaker and will also be a presenter at the preconference "A".
Barry H. Dunn was named the 20th president of South Dakota State University in April 2016, the fourth alumnus chosen to lead the institution. He assumed office May 23, 2016.
Dunn is an enrolled tribal member of the Sicangu Lakota and lived on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota for many years. He is believed to be the first enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe to serve as a president or chancellor of an 1862 land-grant university.
Throughout his time as president, Dunn has been instrumental in several key initiatives.
- Pathway to Premier, the university’s current seven-year strategic plan, that maintains the strategic direction for the institution initially established through Imagine 2023. Promoting the plan and living its core values are critical to fulfilling the SDSU’s vision of being a premier land-grant university. Pathway to Premier will also serve as the catalyst for the university to explore a move to R1 status, placing it among the most notable research universities in the nation.
- The Wokini Initiative is a program aimed to create greater access to higher education for Native Americans in South Dakota. Dunn launched the Wokini Initiative early in his presidency to increase programming and support to enrolled members of the state’s nine tribal nations while simultaneously enhancing collaborations and programs with tribes, tribal colleges and tribal organizations.
- SDSU Connect is an initiative to connect SDSU with the Sioux Falls metropolitan area to promote higher education at SDSU, strengthen relationships with industry leaders and serve workforce needs.
Breakout sessions and trainings
From South Dakota Public Broadcasting - Marcy Drew
Lakota Nations Education Conference is pleased to announce that Marcy Drew, Director of Education at SDPB, will be joining us once again at the conference as a presenter. Marcy presents many wonderful presentations such as: Difficult Times & Tough Talks with Sesame Street in Communities-SDPB Marcy Drew
Marcy Drew grew up on a farm near Fort Thompson and graduated from Chamberlain High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from South Dakota State University and a master’s in Early Childhood Special Education and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Dakota. Most recently, Drew was a lecturer at USD, where she taught courses in early childhood, elementary, and special education and also supervised student teachers in classrooms for several types of field experiences.
We are thrilled to include Marcy Drew to our team at LNEC. Her background and passion for education will help LNEC strengthen programming and services that provide a lifetime of learning. Marcy will be presenting throughout the conference at various times.
I Love You Guys Foundation
(Safety and Security Training)
The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s programs for crisis response and post-crisis reunification are used in more than 30,000 schools, districts, departments, agencies, organizations and communities around the world. They are created through the research-based best practices of school administrators, psychologists, public space safety experts, families, and first responders. We’re a powerful conduit uniting this work.
The “I Love U Guys” Foundation team of trainers all have personal and professional experience with school and public safety. Through their experiences, our trainings come to life in a way that can only be felt through people who’ve been there.
It was a tragedy that launched The Foundation. And we thrive because we know that with love, we can work together to protect and restore the joy of youth. We’re doing it. Join us. With you, we got this.
Below is the speaker who you will be hearing at this Half Day Training - starting at 1:00 pm - 3:45 PM on Wednesday December 17, 2025 in the Washington Room.
The I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol and Standard Reunification Method:
Officer Stacy Avila (Retired)
Introduced in 2009, the Standard Response Protocol is a proven enhancement to school safety planning. Thousands of schools in the US and Canada have adopted the program. Introduced in 2012, the Standard Reunification Method fills a critical void in school safety planning: How to reunite students with their parents after a crisis. Also included in the training is a segment on Incident Command and how it relates to crisis management for educators.
Stacy was raised on a cattle ranch in southwestern Montana, approximately 30 miles from the middle of nowhere.
In 1995, she graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice and an emphasis in Psychology and Sociology. Stacy was a police officer for the City of Arvada, Colorado for twenty-one years and during her tenure served as a Field Training Officer, Patrol Sergeant, and Hostage Negotiator. Stacy served as a negotiator on the Jefferson County Regional SWAT team for fifteen years and was the primary negotiator at Platte Canyon High School on September 27, 2006.
Officer Stacy Avila (Retired)
Introduced in 2009, the Standard Response Protocol is a proven enhancement to school safety planning. Thousands of schools in the US and Canada have adopted the program. Introduced in 2012, the Standard Reunification Method fills a critical void in school safety planning: How to reunite students with their parents after a crisis. Also included in the training is a segment on Incident Command and how it relates to crisis management for educators.
Stacy was raised on a cattle ranch in southwestern Montana, approximately 30 miles from the middle of nowhere.
In 1995, she graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice and an emphasis in Psychology and Sociology. Stacy was a police officer for the City of Arvada, Colorado for twenty-one years and during her tenure served as a Field Training Officer, Patrol Sergeant, and Hostage Negotiator. Stacy served as a negotiator on the Jefferson County Regional SWAT team for fifteen years and was the primary negotiator at Platte Canyon High School on September 27, 2006.
HOLLY STRAND
Hollie Strand" works as a Forensic Examiner for the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Working in the field for the last 26 years, she has held the positions of police officer, forensic interviewer, and counselor with an extensive history providing therapy for individuals in the correctional system. “Hollie’s dedication, persistence and attention to detail helps build cases that lead to the successful prosecutions that help make our communities safer,” said South Dakota Attorney General Mark Vargo.
Strand has worked in law enforcement for more than 24 years and her career includes a stint as Chief of Police in Martin, S.D. A Rapid City native, she serves today as part of the Division of Criminal Investigations Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. She is based in the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and handles cases for the Rapid City Police Department, the sheriff’s office as well as the DCI.
“Hollie Strand has been a tireless fighter against human trafficking and advocate for survivors and is well deserving of our 2022 Freedom Fighter Award,” said Franzen. “She is a hero and we are blessed to have her on our side. She truly goes, as our award states, above and beyond in combatting human trafficking.”
Hollie will be presenting in the Washington room on December 19th in the Washington room at 9:00 AM.
Strand has worked in law enforcement for more than 24 years and her career includes a stint as Chief of Police in Martin, S.D. A Rapid City native, she serves today as part of the Division of Criminal Investigations Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. She is based in the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and handles cases for the Rapid City Police Department, the sheriff’s office as well as the DCI.
“Hollie Strand has been a tireless fighter against human trafficking and advocate for survivors and is well deserving of our 2022 Freedom Fighter Award,” said Franzen. “She is a hero and we are blessed to have her on our side. She truly goes, as our award states, above and beyond in combatting human trafficking.”
Hollie will be presenting in the Washington room on December 19th in the Washington room at 9:00 AM.
"Active Shooter"
Training with Brett Garland
December 19th, 2024 @ 1:00 PM
Washington Room
Brett Garland is the Director of South Dakota Safety Center, under the direction of the Department of Public Safety, Office of Homeland Security. The School Safety Center serves as the core for information, training, technical support, and resources on school safety for school facility and staff, students, parents/guardians, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. Since its inception in 2020, the School Safety Center has applied a holistic approach to school safety, utilizing partnerships, with educators, administrators, counselors, mental health professionals, and law enforcement. Prior to his duties as Program Director for the South Dakota School Safety Center, Brett was the Supervisory Special Agent with the West Region Major Crimes Unit of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, retiring in 2020. Brett spent 19 years with the DCI, and 5 years with the Aberdeen Police Department before that. Brett holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and a Masters Degree in Administrative Studies/Criminal Justice from the University of SD.
Brett Garland will be presenting in the Washington room December 18th at 1:00-3:45 PM.
Brett Garland will be presenting in the Washington room December 18th at 1:00-3:45 PM.
Delphine Red Shirt
Delphine Red Shirt is Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Indian reservation. She attended Holy Rosary High School (now Red Cloud Indian School), and Regis College (now Regis University), with a major in Accounting and a minor in History. She received her Master of Arts in Liberal Studies in Creative Writing from Wesleyan University, and her doctorate in American Indian Studies from the University of Arizona.
Red Shirt has been a member of the United States Marine Corps, served as the Chairperson of the United Nations NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, and as the United Nations Representative for the Four Directions Council: International Indigenous Organization. As a visiting lecturer at Yale University, Connecticut College, and Wayne State University, she is currently a lecturer in Decolonized History and the Lakota language at Stanford University. She has continued to serve as a mentor and advisor to Native students.
Red Shirt has also authored three books: Bead On An Anthill: A Lakota Childhood, Turtle Lung Woman’s Granddaughter, and most recently, George Sword’s Warrior Narratives, which has been awarded the Labriola Center American Indian National Book Award from Arizona State University and the 2017 Electa Quinney Award for Published Stories from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her work has been anthologized in various publications, including Tongue-Tied: The Lives of Multilingual Children in Public Education by Otto Santa Ana, and the Western Women's Reader: The Remarkable Writings of Women Who Shaped The American West, Spanning 300 Years. She continues to be a regular contributor to Lakota Country Times and has written for Native Sun News and Indian Country Today.
Dr. Delphine Red Shirt will be speaking in the Washington Room December 19th at 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM.
Red Shirt has been a member of the United States Marine Corps, served as the Chairperson of the United Nations NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, and as the United Nations Representative for the Four Directions Council: International Indigenous Organization. As a visiting lecturer at Yale University, Connecticut College, and Wayne State University, she is currently a lecturer in Decolonized History and the Lakota language at Stanford University. She has continued to serve as a mentor and advisor to Native students.
Red Shirt has also authored three books: Bead On An Anthill: A Lakota Childhood, Turtle Lung Woman’s Granddaughter, and most recently, George Sword’s Warrior Narratives, which has been awarded the Labriola Center American Indian National Book Award from Arizona State University and the 2017 Electa Quinney Award for Published Stories from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her work has been anthologized in various publications, including Tongue-Tied: The Lives of Multilingual Children in Public Education by Otto Santa Ana, and the Western Women's Reader: The Remarkable Writings of Women Who Shaped The American West, Spanning 300 Years. She continues to be a regular contributor to Lakota Country Times and has written for Native Sun News and Indian Country Today.
Dr. Delphine Red Shirt will be speaking in the Washington Room December 19th at 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM.
Dragonfly Law Group, P.C.
Rebecca Kidder
Thomas J Nitschke
Tatewin Means
Jessie Big Knife
Judith Shapiro
Brittney Bausch
Samantha Holland
At Dragonfly Law Group, P.C., we offer a comprehensive range of legal services designed to meet the unique needs of Tribal communities, businesses, and organizations. Our team specializes in tribal law, focusing on sovereignty, jurisdiction, and taxation issues, and providing strategic guidance in areas like civil litigation, environmental protection, and economic development.
We also offer expertise in Tribal gaming, housing, business, and real estate, helping clients navigate complex regulatory environments and maximize opportunities. Additionally, we provide legal support for Tribal educational institutions and intellectual property matters, ensuring your ventures are protected and able to thrive. With a commitment to holistic, client-focused solutions, we are dedicated to helping our clients build a prosperous, sustainable future.
Dragonfly Law Group will be presenting a part of the School Board Training in the Pactola Room, Thursday and Friday, December 18th and 19th,
We also offer expertise in Tribal gaming, housing, business, and real estate, helping clients navigate complex regulatory environments and maximize opportunities. Additionally, we provide legal support for Tribal educational institutions and intellectual property matters, ensuring your ventures are protected and able to thrive. With a commitment to holistic, client-focused solutions, we are dedicated to helping our clients build a prosperous, sustainable future.
Dragonfly Law Group will be presenting a part of the School Board Training in the Pactola Room, Thursday and Friday, December 18th and 19th,
Bill Elger is the current Program Coordinator of the Western Prevention Resource Center in Rapid City, SD. He holds a BS degree in Criminology and a MBA-Public Administration. He is a retired police officer who served as a crisis negotiator, school resource officer, specialized child abuse/neglect investigator, trainer and supervisory commander. His police training included instruction from the FBI, the Department Homeland Security, and New Scotland Yard. Presently, Bill’s primarily assigned area of focus relates to supporting prevention efforts through training, education, consultation and other support to the westernmost South Dakota counties as well as other state and local service providers. Bill grew up in Wyoming and enjoys fishing, and spending time with his family and dogs. Bill will present various sessions throughout the conference dealing with drugs, alcohol and violence.
Other Programs and Organizations involved with the Lakota Nations Education Conference in 2025
This year we are fortunate to have several wonderful organizations who offer their services to this conference. These are organizations that offer their services to students, teachers, and educational facilities throughout the year. Bringing them to this conference offers exposure for their programs and allows for the participants to experience what is available to them. Some of those wonderful programs and organizations are:
Western Resource Prevention Center
Compass (formerly the T.I.E. organization)
WAVI-Woman's Against Violence Inc.
The Rousseau Project
SDPB-South Dakota Public Broadcasting
SDDOE-SD Department of Education
Rapid City Schools
Bureau of Indian Education
Impact Aid Association
Youth and Family Services
Great Plains Indian Health Board
This year we are fortunate to have several wonderful organizations who offer their services to this conference. These are organizations that offer their services to students, teachers, and educational facilities throughout the year. Bringing them to this conference offers exposure for their programs and allows for the participants to experience what is available to them. Some of those wonderful programs and organizations are:
Western Resource Prevention Center
Compass (formerly the T.I.E. organization)
WAVI-Woman's Against Violence Inc.
The Rousseau Project
SDPB-South Dakota Public Broadcasting
SDDOE-SD Department of Education
Rapid City Schools
Bureau of Indian Education
Impact Aid Association
Youth and Family Services
Great Plains Indian Health Board