Roselyn Jumping Bull
Roselyn Jumping Bull
Roselyn Jumping Bull (1932-2015) was born in Oglala, South Dakota, the great-granddaughter of the renowned Lakota holy man Sitting Bull, and was also descended from Nicholas Black Elk. Her Lakota name was Tawapaha Wakanwin (Her Staff is Holy). A fluent Lakota speaker, she was known for her distinctive, high-pitched singing voice together with her knowledge of countless powwow and ceremonial songs. After the occupation of Wounded Knee, Jumping Bull went to work as a Community Health Representative and organized protests against police brutality in Gordon, Nebraska and Calico, South Dakota. Jumping Bull was a life-long supporter of the movement for Native sovereignty, participating in nationwide speaking tours, and advocating for the release of Leonard Peltier from prison.
WK Story:
Jumping Bull experienced the occupation of Wounded Knee as a resident of that area. She supported the occupation, in part, by delivering food and supplies to those inside Wounded Knee. This was a dangerous undertaking as the FBI and U.S. marshals had the area surrounded. At night, Jumping Bull and others traveled into Wounded Knee by foot in order to avoid gunfire.
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