The Daughters of the American Revolution are recognizing a Lakota woman from the Cheyenne River Reservation for her contributions to American history. As SDPB’s Jim Kent reports, Marcella LeBeau is known throughout the region for her presentations on her own history as a U.S. Army nurse. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this elder’s efforts to preserve our past.
For many people a mention of “The Daughters of the American Revolution” stirs up images of Lexington Green, Valley Forge or Washington’s Crossing. But contrary to popular belief the descendants of those patriots who fought in this country’s war for independence don’t just live along the eastern seaboard.
Kathy Aplan is spokesperson for the Spirit of the Prairie Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Aplan explains that the 900,000 member group has representatives all over the nation.
“As people moved westward,” explains Aplan, “so did their descendants…so that’s how we have people in other areas. For instance…my patriot was Nicholas Janis, of French descent who lived in Kaskaskia, and was a Captain under George Rodgers Clark.”
Clark led Virginia militia parties into the then-Western frontier of Indiana and Illinois to defeat British forces there.
The name “Janis” is popular in parts of South Dakota – and if it sounds familiar to you… Aplan says…there’s a reason for that.
“There are plenty of Janises,” Aplan observes. “You know, his sons, grandsons and so forth were involved in the fur trade and had come West and many of them married into the Native tribes. And there are plenty of Janises down at Pine Ridge.”
Kathy Aplan says the Daughters of the American Revolution continue their original mission of honoring their patriot ancestors…but in the 21st century their role in society has shifted to include the preservation of history in the various communities where their chapters exist.
“If you look around there are many markers that were provided…historical markers, even in South Dakota, that were provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution,” Aplan explains. “If you go down to Fort Robinson…at the old area where Red Cloud was…there’s a marker and that… that marker was provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution. In other places you can find such markers as well.”
The 125-year old organization also acknowledges others who work to preserve history in their communities. For example, says Kathy Aplan, The Daughters of the American Revolution’ s Spirit of the Prairie Chapter recognized Lakota elder Marcella LeBeau with the group’s “Women in American History” award.
“Marcella is a wonderful role model,” notes Aplan. “The Daughters of the American Revolution try to reach across the past and connect with our ancestors. She has reached across the past so many different ways. I mean whether…whether it be 60 years after D-Day or 160 years after the Dakota Uprising to connect with the descendants of the captives.”
Marcella LeBeau is also a member of the Wounded Knee Survivors Association and was instrumental in facilitating the return of a Ghost Dance Shirt taken from a victim of the Wounded Knee Massacre from the Kelvingrove Museum in Scotland to the Lakota people in August 1999.
As Marcella finishes giving a presentation on “Diversity in Nursing” to South Dakota State University nursing students…we find a quiet corner to talk about her views on the importance of preserving history.
“It’s very important because when I went to school we never learned about our own history,” Marcella recalls. “And I’m not sure if they’re teaching it in the school today back on our reservation.”
But Marcella’s concern isn’t just about Lakota history. She says everyone’s history is important.
“We need to know our history,” comments Marcella. “We need to know where. We need…we need to know where we came from so we’ll know where we can go or what our future holds.”
It’s that ability to cross color barriers in her preservation of history that makes Marcella LeBeau a role model for young women regardless of their race. Carrissa Young is a registered nurse at Rapid City Regional Hospital. She’s also African-American. Young says considering the variety of cultures and races among staff and patients where she works…hearing Marcella talk about her nursing and life experiences has been a huge benefit.
“To see her persevere as a person,” observes Young, “it’s awesome to see that. It is so inspirational and it…it really touches home to me and inspires me to keep going.”
Kara Roland is a first-semester nursing student. She’s also white.
“Who is Marcella LeBeau…to you?” I ask.
“Well, she’s extremely inspirational to me,” replies Roland. “Just the passion with which she…she spoke today and shared about her career and what’s she’s done. Yeah (excitedly) she’s…I guess she’s a role model for me. And the way that she…she heard an idea and she chased it. Like she heard about the need in the Army and so she just…she chased whatever it was that…popped up and she was passionate about. So...the fact that she wasn’t afraid to chase dreams even when people were going to tell her that she wasn’t able to do it. Or when not all the circumstances seemed to fit…she was gonna fight for what…for what she wanted.”
Kara Roland adds that she wants to have that same sense of purpose and determination in her life. She’s also like to care for people like Marcella LeBeau has.
As for the 96-year old Lakota elder, Marcella has no plans to slow down anytime soon. She continues to share her story…the story of her people and the Ghost Dance Shirt…and the need for diversity in nursing and in every career field with all those who come to hear her. And in doing this Marcella LeBeau carries on the mission of “The Daughters of the American Revolution”...to honor all of our ancestors by sharing their stories.
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