“It’s a Lakota term for ‘all my relatives,’ ” said Tim Nichols, dean of the Honors College at SDSU. “It’s a philosophy that emphasizes relationship and connectedness among all that is.”

Ron His Horse is Thunder

Honor students and faculty from 12 universities representing Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin will be on campus for a three-day event with His Horse is Thunder’s keynote address open to the public.

SDSU’s Honors College Student Organization and Honors College faculty will facilitate the conference, which will include student and faculty presentations, research posters and a variety show.

His Horse is Thunder was president of Standing Rock Community College from 1991 to 1993 and again from 1996 to 2005 when it became Sitting Bull College. He served as chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe from 2005 to 2009.

“I am quite pleased to attend the conference, which is broadening the experiences of students and faculty so they see themselves in a global community as opposed to rural areas, where exposure to other cultures and nationalities has been limited,” said His Horse is Thunder.

“As a community that is globally connected it is important to know that we export more than just agricultural-related products, but our values and good will as well,” he added.

As organizer of the Upper Midwest conference, Nichols said, “His Horse is Thunder is a passionate and articulate voice on contemporary American Indian issues.”

“The concept of relationship and connectedness is more important than ever and mainstream society can learn much from the wisdom of tribal peoples,” Nichols added. “Students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to attend.”

For more information, call (605) 688-5268.