Lakota icon Nellie Two Bulls dies at 81
By Andrea J. Cook, Journal staff
Rapid City Journal
RAPID CITY - Sharing memories of their friend Nellie Two Bulls seemed to comfort those coming to grips with the loss of an icon of Lakota culture Sunday.
"Grandma Nellie," 81, died at Rapid City Regional Hospital on Sunday.
Two Bulls’ death leaves a void that spans cultures, according to those who knew her.
"She could speak to children at Red Cloud Indian School just as easily as she could speak to European travelers," Jeffrey Viken said. "She had a tremendous enthusiasm about sharing traditional Lakota culture with people from all walks of life and from every culture."
Viken and his wife, Linda Lea, are adopted members of the Two Bulls-Winters families. Two Bulls and her late husband, Matthew, were the center of an extended family of traditional and non-Indian people, he said.
Rapid City Mayor Jim Shaw and Two Bulls met frequently over the years. Shaw recalled watching her spend hours at Crazy Horse Memorial telling stories and encouraging Indian children to strive to do their best.
"She was a remarkable lady and an inspiration for lots of people and for me personally," he said.
Two Bulls had a sense of optimism about life and issues that often divided American Indians and non-Indians. "She always had an optimistic view that things would work out if we could communicate better," Shaw said.
For Ruth Ziolkowski of Crazy Horse Memorial, Two Bulls was a dear friend who
watched the carving of the memorial for many years. Matt and Nellie Two Bulls were the "very first, true friends" Korczak and Ruth Ziolkowski made in South Dakota.
"They were here for the first blast in 1948, and I don’t think they missed a celebration," Ziolkowski said. "They dearly loved Korczak."
Two Bulls was an "amazing lady," Ziolkowski said. The Two Bulls were teachers who valued education, she said.
Like any mother and grandmother, Nellie loved her immediate and extended family.
"She took care of a lot of people," Ziolkowski said.
Nellie and Matt Two Bulls worked hard to keep the Lakota language alive, she said.
Two Bulls was thrilled with her Indian name Zintkala To Win (Blue Bird Woman), Ziolkowski said.
Two Bulls was 12 when she was given the name after a vision in which she was given the gifts of song and stories, according to biographical sketch on the First Peoples Fund Web site. Two Bulls was honored in 2005 with the First Peoples Fund Community Spirit Award for her efforts to keep the stories and songs of the Lakota people alive.
Viken has vivid memories of visits to Two Bulls’ home in No. 4 Community west of Pine Ridge. Guests were always welcomed with a song, usually sung in front of her little house.
"She would close her eyes and the clock would go back 300 years," Viken said. "That wonderful primal voice that she had would erase time."
With Two Bulls’ death another from the generation of "older, traditional Lakota ladies" is gone, Viken said. It’s a loss that can not be replaced.
"They grew up in a culture very different from anything that could be replicated now," he said. "Nellie learned her songs and stories from her grandmother and great-grandmother."
Two Bulls carried those ancient songs and stories in her heart and in her mind.
"They were no place else to be found," Viken said.
Fortunately, Two Bulls and her stories will live on at The Journey Museum in Rapid City. Two Bulls sat for hours in traditional dress telling stories and singing songs that are now reproduced in hologram-like images at the museum. Two Bulls served on an Indian advisory council when the museum was being designed.
"She was so willing to share (Lakota culture) with anyone who wanted to know and learn more. She was a beautiful woman," Paulett Montileaux, director of the Sioux Indian Museum.
Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com
Rapid Reply
K. Griego wrote on February 21, 2007 7:57 AM:"It amazes me how beautiful a spirit she was and that her beautiful spirit and reputation preceded her arrival. I wish many good things for her family. K."
michelle a wrote on February 20, 2007 2:55 PM:"Nelly Two Bulls is still an inspiration to us all but her memory will live on through you and what she has taught you and your children. "
Jamie wrote on February 20, 2007 2:42 PM:"Gramma Nellie was awesome. She will definately be missed. I knew her from the Pine Ridge SDA chruch in #4. She taught our whole church to sing "Jesus loves me" in lakota that was fun I cans still hear her singing it for guests that came to visit. I have always missed seeing her at church when I left home. I can still see her sitting in "her spot" at church Sing her praises to God with all her heart. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. May God be with you and keep you close during this time. "
Ms. Dee wrote on February 20, 2007 2:25 PM:"When you see or hear the words Lakota Woman .......you see Nellie Two Bulls. These kind of women are few and far between as they have impacted many lives in many ways. She will be greatly missed, to honor her I pray that everyone remembers her words and teachings. Toksa Ake Nellie - we will see you again! Pilamiya for being the woman you are!"
Hulleah J.Tsinhnahjinnie wrote on February 20, 2007 1:59 PM:"I had the chance to photograph Grandma Nellie (for the First Peoples Fund)at her family pow wow this past summer, Muriel Antoine and I arrived at the pow wow grounds shook hands and were treated as honored guest. Before I got up to speak Grandma Nellie said,"Make sure you tell the kids about your education and that they need to go to school." ...I'll keep doing that. It was an honor to meet you Grandma Nellie."
Bald Eagle Family from Martin wrote on February 20, 2007 1:20 PM:"Another big part of our history & culture is gone - we are losing who we are by the loss of such elders as Nellie. We will never forget who she was and what she stood for - we must continue her work to survive! The only consolation to her loss is that she is now with Matt and smiling very happily at each other as they begin to sing -------"
Brenda Big Crow-Zimiga wrote on February 20, 2007 1:13 PM:"Grandma Nellie will be missed greatly. She and Matt was our (best) teachers at Red Cloud. I enjoyed going to their classes because we would hear some great stories. Nellie taught me how to bead and make things and she was always so patient about it, she never got upset if a mistake was made she would only laugh and say "we learn from our mistakes". I only wish my children got to know her like I did. She was the best. Our prayers go out to the Two Bulls family. Take care & God bless you all."
F.Waukazoo wrote on February 20, 2007 11:04 AM:" I have good memories of the "Two Bulls." They knew my parents, and they had good stories to tell. They will always, live in my memory, and my heart. They are good people. "
CEE BEE wrote on February 20, 2007 10:35 AM:"Nellie & Matt both were great teachers. I will never forget them. Every time I hear "OUR" Lakota Flag Song I remember them and this first song I leaned in our language at Red Cloud (thanks to thier teaching). I am happy they are together again."
Yellow Bird Family wrote on February 20, 2007 10:06 AM:"Its a long journey... rest in peace Unci. We all will miss you."
Karin Eagle Baca wrote on February 20, 2007 9:43 AM:"Gramma Nellie, I want to thank you for being such an important part of my life, and for including myself, my husband and our children in your great circle of love. I've learned so much from you, and received so much comfort and inspiration from you. I am going to miss seeing your across from the drum, singing louder and more clearly and so much more beautifully than any wicaglata ever heard. To the family, especially Auntie Cheryl, thank you for sharing your mom and gramma with all of us throughout the years. The love and respect that you were instilled with shines through all of you, and will continue to grow from the seeds planted by Gramma Nellie and Grampa Matt. They are singing together again."
K. Tapio wrote on February 20, 2007 9:43 AM:"She was a great teacher and a wonderful woman. She was at Red Cloud when i was in Kindergarten, her and Matthew. They were outstanding people with Big Hearts... We will miss her. "
korczak ,shelli and ashley two bulls wrote on February 20, 2007 7:46 AM:"Unci Nellie "rest in peace' we are happy you are with Dad and grandpa matt,we love you lots and we will keep dancing because that is what you wanted,toksa ake"
Nicole Twiss wrote on February 20, 2007 7:25 AM:"Unci Nellie will be truely missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. She was a great and inspirational person. Her stories, songs, and teachings will always be remembered. "
beane wrote on February 20, 2007 6:25 AM:"so was agood teacher at red cloud. she will be in a happer place with granpa Matt in the spirit world with lots of love the beane family"
CTwoBullz wrote on February 20, 2007 1:08 AM:"*REST IN PEACE* Grandma Nellie You'll Be Missed By The Whole Family!....Love You"
To Grandma Nellie wrote on February 19, 2007 10:39 PM:"Nellie, Thank you for holding and taking part in the naming ceremonies for my sisters. You have done a lot for many people and hopefully those people pass it on to the younger generations. We will miss you!"
james dean wrote on February 19, 2007 10:11 PM:"rest in peace unci nellie"
R Moyer wrote on February 19, 2007 9:44 PM:"Aunt Nellie , an inspiration and role model for many as well as a spiritual advisor and singer to the Katalas, we will miss you, and your voice."
C wrote on February 19, 2007 9:02 PM:"My Condolences to the Two Bull Family, Nellie was a great woman who represented the Lakota Sioux People in a Humble way...."
Alan wrote on February 19, 2007 5:49 PM:"Sad day for the rest of us. I am sure Two Bulls is happier now. Reat in Peace Grandma Nellie."
M Hart wrote on February 19, 2007 5:02 PM:"My Condolences go to the Two Bulls Family. Her losses will only hurt the future Generations. I wanted to thank Unci Nellie, if it wasn't for her and the message i got from one of her speeches I would not be where I am today. Thank you So much, You Will Be Missed be all. REST IN PEACE !"
Eagle Bull wrote on February 19, 2007 4:21 PM:"My heart goes out to the Two Bulls Family. Unci Nellie was a GREAT woman and will be missed by many people. Pilamiya Unci Nellie for all that you have done for your people. Woplia Tanka Unci....."
K Two Bulls wrote on February 19, 2007 3:28 PM:"My great-grandma nellie will never be forgotten. I love you, Rest in peace Unci Nellie"
Tokala Clifford wrote on February 19, 2007 3:25 PM:"Nellie was a real Lakota. It is up to all of us to remember the way she believed and to make sure that she is not simply remembered but that the teachings, that she worked so hard to pass along, continue. The best way to honor Nellie is to make sure that Lakota things always exist. Ho Heca. Toksa Unci... "
kevin j wrote on February 19, 2007 2:49 PM:"I met this fine lady twice.She was a classy lady with the light in her eyes. The world will be a sadder place without her. rest in peace."
sue wrote on February 19, 2007 2:32 PM:"another one of our well respected elders gone home. Wopila Unci Nellie. you were a great inspiration to me. I will always remember your beautiful voice and songs."
Lakesbear wrote on February 19, 2007 2:00 PM:"ALWAYS ENJOYED THE SONGS YOU SANG!..."
Isnala wrote on February 19, 2007 12:44 PM:"Thank you grandma for teaching us to respect others, the many hours you had patience with us in a room full of kids, teaching us to make dolls, and grandpa teaching us to read and write etc.. Your memory and golden voice will always be cherished, luv u grandma"
Lakota Winyan wrote on February 19, 2007 12:24 PM:"Another Elder has taken her knowledge, language, history with her, did we learn enough from her? I hope so. Have a safe journey home, Unci."
T. White wrote on February 19, 2007 11:46 AM:"Pilamiya Unci for being you...may you and grandpa matt rest together in peace...I love and miss you unci"
C Brave Heart wrote on February 19, 2007 10:26 AM:"Wopila Tanka Unci!!! You will be missed by many...."
The Long Wolf Family wrote on February 19, 2007 9:50 AM:"Rest in peace dear respected one, you have touched many with your knowledge and heart. Your memory will live on thru the education of our children about your life and what you have brought to seed for others to grow....Toksa Ake..."
Tatanka Ihanbla wrote on February 19, 2007 12:07 AM:"Toksa ake wacinyan kinkte"
P Two Bulls wrote on February 18, 2007 11:56 PM:"Rest In Peace grandma Nellie
link below-
www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2007/02/19/news/top/news001j%20two%20bulls.txt