As an enrolled member of the
Santee Sioux (Dakota) Tribe of Nebraska, Rod Steiner was awarded
Diversity's "Bridging the Gap" Award for 2002 for his
"Lifetime" of Service and Committment to the principles
of "Diversity"and "Cultural Understanding"
between the Native and Non-Native populations. Mr. Steiner is
also a direct descendent of the Chiefs' Wapasha who once called
Winona their homeland (Wapasha Prairie).
Being raised on the Santee
Reservation, Rod had to witness (and overcome) the personal obstacles
of poverty and racism common among Indian Reservations especially
during the 1930 & 40's.
For most of his life, Rod
has been active in various Church and Community volunteer activities
often working with "At Risk" and inner city youth.
For many years, he has served on the Mankato Reconciliation Pow
Wow Committee coordinating the 50-100 yearly food and craft vendors.
This Mankato "healing"
project was originally begin in 1972 to address the "Contempt
and Hatred" felt between many whites and Indians since the
Dakota Conflict and Hanging of the "38" Dakota Warriors
there in 1862. Today, this event has grown to become one of the
largest "Off-Reservation" PowWows in the Midwest.
Mr. Steiner has also been
serving (for several years) as one of Diversity Foundations Dakota/Native
American consulting historians and advisors for the ongoing Wapasha
Prairie Documentary.
He has also agreed to be one
of DF's advisors and coordinators for the upcoming "Wapasha
Prairie/Dakota Homecoming and Gathering as part of Winona's GE04.
Recently, Rod also was Co-Chairman of the 2002 Crow Creek Memorial
& Reconciliation project at Ft. Thompson, South Dakota.
