It was a great blessing to spend time with my Auntie Hazel Red Bird. Her father, Sammy Red Bird, was my Grandfather Vine Deloria Sr's Tahansi and closest childhood friend! Lala Sammy died when Auntie Hazel was two years old, the same year my Great-grandfather Tipi Sapa baptized her. I heard many stories from my Grandfather Vine Sr. and Father about Sammy's unstoppable laughing and sense of humor.
We met this past Saturday at St. Elizabeth;s, August 19, at the 2017 Wakpala Memorial Run. Since her father Sammy died when she was two she could not remember him. She said she had a picture of two men, but did not know which one was her father. My dad had shown me pictures of her dad, so I told Auntie if I could see the picture of the two men, I could identify her father.
On Monday, August 21, my Tonskas, Manape Hocinci Ga and Kyle Baker went with me to St. Elizabeth's Church to meet with the Minister, Rev. Les Campell to visit regarding the Wakpala Spiritual Unity Society. And then to the Cemetary and to pray with and for our relatives in the Other Side Camp and to ask for their spiritual guidance for what we need to serve the People and Prophecies best
When we arrived, Rev. Baker was in the Church with Auntie Hazel. She was waiting for me to come to look at her picture. When I looked at the picture, I immediately was able to identify Lala Sammy. Auntie Hazel and I cried. Finally, after 92 years, she was able to see how her father looked! Wopila Tanka!
Auntie Hazel is 92 and the last veteran of WW 2 from Wakpala and Standing Rock. She still drives a car everywhere, and Auntie said her Driver's License does not expire for 4 more years and then she is going to renew for another 5! I believe her!
