THE UPPER KEYA PAHA TRADING CO.
1310 East Old US 18 - P. O. Box 785
Antelope Community - Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation
Mission, South Dakota, U.S.A.  57555-0785
THE UPPER KEYA PAHA
VIRTUAL TRADING POST

- Beaded Jewelry -
- Beaded Caps -
- Quillwork -
- Scrimshaw -
- Earrings -
- Necklaces -
- Other Stuff -
 

   Tyone came into my life at the age of three in the year 1984.  It was a typical reality faced by many Native American youth.  His father was in prison, his mother was unable to take proper care of him along with his other siblings, and a state welfare system that was posturing to put them up for adoption as the state’s solution to their problems.
   Tyone is survived by a twin brother and an older full sister as well as several older half brothers and sisters.  Our desires were to keep the three of them together until their father could get out of prison and hopefully raise his children.  During this time their mother passed away.  The cost of raising three more children along with our three and one nephew and their father not showing any interest in their future, lead us to inquire how the state warfare system could assist.  The same result that got us involved was adoption.    We had to petition for termination of their father’s rights! 

Although small in stature, Tyone had a heart as big as a truck.  Always with a smile and a twinkle in his eye, you couldn’t help but feel good when he was around.  As with anyone there were some rough times but were far out numbered by the good times.

What we were trying to prevent was the smoking gun placed on our shoulder.  Tyone spent 16 years with us.  After his death his brothers and sisters decided to have his organs donated so that others may live.  A final unselfish gesture to help others so that they may live.  This was Tyone’s way.
   The driver of the vehicle that rolled on a lonely stretch of Interstate 90 pled guilty to vehicular homicide.  He was sentenced to 15 years in the state penitentiary and ordered to pay about $20,000 in costs, but he is still alive.
   It seems that survival is the prominent goal of life on the Rosebud Reservation as with any low income place in America.  Just survival is a true enemy of our people.
   Tragedy has been the catalyst for personal involvement in what can or should be done to help make our Reservation a better place for our future, our children, to live and help themselves to a better way of life!