Speaking Engagements

Taté Walker (they/them) is a Lakota citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. They are an award-winning Two Spirit storyteller. Their first full-length poetry book, The Trickster Riots, was published in 2022, by Abalone Mountain Press.

Taté, a 2022 Pushcart Prize nominee, has written, photographed, and/or edited for various outlets, including The Nation, Yellow Medicine Review, Little Somethings Press, Studies in American Indian Literature, Pipe Wrench, Apartment Therapy, Everyday Feminism, Native Peoples, Indian Country Today, Subaru Drive, and December. They are also featured in several anthologies: FIERCE: Essays by and about Dauntless Women, South Dakota in Poems, W.W. Norton's Everyone's an Author, and Good Eats: 32 Writers on Eating Ethically. Their next book, Indigenous Voices, is forthcoming in 2025 from The Quarto Group.

Taté is a co-founder of the Phoenix Two Spirit Community group, which helps organize the annual Arizona Two Spirit Powwow and Rainbow Gathering. They are also a longtime member of—and also serve on the board of directors for—the Oceti Sakowin Writers Society, which has a mission to mentor, empower, and promote Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota literary traditions. Taté is a 2023 ASU Poetry & the Senses Fellow and the 2023 Storyknife Fireweed Fellow. Taté has 20 years of experience in print/digital journalism and advocacy writing, and is a trusted community builder within/for social justice and tribal education spaces.

ALL TOPICS CAN BE SHAPED TO MEET CLIENT NEEDS. THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF POSSIBLE TOPICS.

#LandBack
Mitakuye Oyasin is a Lakota philosophy that roughly translates to "we are all related" or "all my relations." It recognizes one's relationship and responsibility to all living things and reminds us to always consider how our behaviors and actions impact the life around us. Unsurprisingly, this philosophy is at odds with colonialism and the capitalist notions of "me" over "we." This discussion will review the universal and practical applications of Mitakuye Oyasin and how humans can cultivate kinship with the life, space, and time around them in ways that reject Western bootstrap/individualistic theories and acknowledge and affirm Indigenous people, values, and practices.

Ceremonial Poetics
Poetry has the ability to translate the sacred and ceremonial in accessible ways. In this class, we'll review a selection of poems by contemporary Indigenous artists and discuss how various poetic forms, including language/word use, visuals, and performance, can bridge and build community and kin. Participants will learn to recognize and empower the ceremony inherent within their everyday lives in ways that will strengthen the impact of their own art and relationships.

Poetry is a Spirit Bead: On Writing and Embracing the Magnificent Imperfect
If you've ever been told or thought your writing didn't meet traditional poetry standards, you're not alone. Many of us have felt like an imposter or not good enough to write or submit a poem, but this discussion with Two Spirit Lakota storyteller Taté Walker will help participants recognize the innate poet within. Because poetry format and metaphors are cool but a lot of awesomeness can happen when you relax and get playful, creative, and be yourself. This casual conversation will also include helpful tips and techniques Walker used on their own imperfect journey with writing and publishing.

Two Spirit:

Gender & Sexuality in

Native American Cultures

Pre-invasion, many Turtle Island nations of so-called North and Central America recognized flexible identities with regards to gender and sexuality. This lecture details historical and contemporary stories and language used by several prominent tribes across what is now known as the United States, including Two Spirit, which participants will discover is not synonymous with LGBQ, trans, or a stand-in for any mainstream/Western concepts of gender/sexual identity - and that not every queer Native is Two Spirit! Participants of this training will learn about traditional Indigenous gender roles, the past and present responsibilities of Two Spirits, and how to create and strengthen inclusive service models when working with queer Native youth, their families, and communities.

Violence Against Indigenous Kin: Sexism, Racism & Settler Colonialism

Indigenous women, children, queer folks, and Two Spirits face extreme marginalization at the crossroads of several identities and social structures. The combination of identities and oppressions related to sex, gender, and race, among other identity/social aspects, are deeply tied to and intensified by the history and ongoing impact of settler colonialism. This takes shape in many dire and underreported ways: The U.S. murder rate for Indigenous women in some tribal communities is 10 times the national average; one in three Indigenous women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime; and domestic violence rates are seven times higher for Indigenous women than women from other demographics. This presentation provides critical context to these and other violent realities from cultural, historical, systemic and gender-based viewpoints. Participants will come away with an understanding of the health inequities experienced by Indigenous relatives due to sexism and colonization, as well as strategies to demand and achieve justice for Indigenous kin and their communities.

Gender Roles in

Indigenous Societies

From 1492 to Today

The European arrival to Turtle Island brought with it the slave trade, disease, and colonial misogyny. This lecture will discuss how, pre-contact, Indigenous women and queer people in many tribes across the continent enjoyed a life free of male-centered dominance; they held property, could enter marriage and divorce by choice, chose their roles in society, and more. As settler shadows spread across the land, Indigenous people were forced to revisit and adapt colonial gender roles and some even lost important ceremonies and practices. Still, the strength and resilience of women and Two Spirits in tribal communities remains solid and is often the foundation upon which modern movements stand upon, whether we’re talking the environment, mascots, education, or culture revitalization.

Not Your Tonto: Native American Representations in Pop Culture

This presentation discusses the appropriation of Indigenous identity and culture, from sports mascots to Sephora sage kits to DNA tests. Participants will look specifically at how colonial government dehumanization campaigns shaped stereotypical newspaper, book, and Hollywood portrayals that eventually led to today’s romanticized erasures saturating mainstream America. Breaking down these stereotypes, from the savagely male warrior to the hyper-sexualized Indian maiden, is tantamount to moving forward, which must be done with care and respect to the 570+ living and breathing Indigenous nations struggling to keep their communities and culture intact in the face of hipster headdresses, Tonto, Tiger Lily, and R**skins.

574: An Introduction to Native American Cultural Competency
Today there are 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States. What does that mean? How should public and private service providers interact with this very specific, yet extremely varied demographic to ensure stereotypes and other harmful messaging are addressed appropriately and respectfully? This program provides participants with useful tools to interact with Native American clients from across the country. We’ll discuss the differences among Natives living on reservations vs. urban areas, the negative statistics plaguing the mainstream concept of what it is to be Native (poor, alcoholic, under-educated, over-imprisoned, etc.), and the modern movements putting Natives in the mainstream spotlight. We’ll also look at several local/regional service providers participants can access to learn more about Natives in their community.

The Harm of Indian Mascots on Native American Youth

Debated since the early-1900s, the subject of Indian mascots across all levels of academics and athletics is a truly divisive issue. Many schools, teams, and states have retired, replaced, and banned Indian mascots, while others hold strongly to their "tradition." Participants of this training will learn why Indian mascots are racist and harmful, recent litigation concerning mascots, and how to accurately discuss the issue with youth and adults. Participants will leave the training armed with resources to encourage the Native youth and families they work with and live alongside to become more engaged in the effort to retire Indian mascots.

Not Your Cliché:

A Look at the Stereotypes Plaguing Tribal Communities

When we think about Native Americans, several words or images float to the surface: Poverty, alcoholism, suicide, incarceration, uneducated, freeloader, tax-evader, Indian giver and more. How do we know this? Predictive search algorithms on engines like Google can tell us what people are searching for when it comes to Native Americans and implicit bias research continues to explore how these stereotypes impact all aspects of Indigenous existence. Why are those stereotypes so prevalent? This presentation takes several of the most common stereotypes plaguing tribal communities, looks at myths and truths therein, and offers resources to service providers and allies alike to make changes in tribal communities to move beyond banality.

Columbus, the Discovery Myth, and the Importance of Teaching Indigenous Histories

For Native Americans and other Indigenous cultures of North America, Christopher Columbus represents something of a joke (at his best) and something of a nightmare (at his worst). The impact of his accidental landing and subsequent exploration and exploitation of this land and its resources is linked to the eventual deaths of millions of indigenous people. He is not an admired part of Native American history. While the rest of America celebrates Columbus on the second Monday in October, South Dakota has the unique distinction of being the only state to celebrate Native American Day instead; other major cities, including Minneapolis and Seattle, have followed suit. In-depth analysis of pre- and post-Columbus Indigenous life, and the controversies surrounding Columbus Day/Native American Day celebrations nationwide will be presented to participants of this training. Attendees will be given easy-to-use guides to use with youth and families to discuss how to honor both this country’s founding, and its first inhabitants.

Moving Past the

Thanksgiving Fairytale

Despite decades of scientific and historical evidence to the contrary, Thanksgiving continues to be celebrated at schools as a fantastical feast of peace and friendship among the Pilgrims and local tribes. While it’s true a feast was had, its foundation is much less shiny and appealing, and its history and celebration often serve as a hurtful reminder to many Natives that our lives are interesting only in the context of colonial fabrication and classroom construction paper. Professionals working with Native youth and families often encounter anger and disenchantment during this and other holidays. However, using traditional Lakota practices, Thanksgiving can still be celebrated in a historically accurate, and positive and uplifting way. Participants of this training will learn the history of Thanksgiving, why the imagery used by companies and primary educators today in marketing the holiday is offensive to many Native Americans, and how to incorporate indigenous perspective, traditions, and spirituality into holiday celebrations.

Remembering Sand Creek, Wounded Knee & The Dakota 38

The winter holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year’s is often a time of relived trauma for Native Americans in the Midwest regions. Particularly for the tribal people of South Dakota, December is a month of loss and sadness, culminating around Christmas time when two major harrowing events occurred. On Dec. 26, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed off on the largest one-day mass execution in American history when 38 Dakota men were hanged for their part in the US-Dakota War. Then, on Dec. 29, 1890, the US Cavalry opened fire on Big Foot’s group of starving, freezing people, killing at least 150 women, children, and elders. These events – alongside others – continue to haunt and affect Natives today in what many call historical PTSD. Still, there are many ways modern Natives honor those killed and the memory of what was fought for. Participants of this training will receive historical overviews of these events, as well as learn ways to ally themselves with Native clients as they heal and move forward with their treatment plans.

Kill the Indian, Save the Man: Impacts of Indian Boarding Schools

For nearly 100 years, from 1879 to 1972, generations of Native youth were forcibly removed from their families and assimilated at federally or religiously run boarding schools where the reigning motto was to “Kill the Indian. Save the man.” Participants of this training will learn how boarding schools operated and for what purpose, how boarding schools severely altered the cultural and spiritual psyche of Native people and communities, how progress is being made at modern Native boarding schools, and what professionals working with Native youth and families can learn from past and present boarding school practices.

Delivering Culturally Competent Health Care

Western medicine is based on Western ideals of wellness with little room for indigenous or traditional healing remedies. Many tribal people, for instance, perceive health as a holistic entity – not just how you feel physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Participants of this program will (1) consider how cultural competence is necessary to deliver appropriate patient care; (2) become aware of how effective health care considers the cultural traditions, beliefs, and behaviors of the patient; and (3) develop an awareness of the barriers to access of care for minority populations. With this knowledge, participants can create cultural competency plans to take back to their employers or health care centers to encourage inclusive wellness practices that will increase not only job satisfaction, but overall health of patients/clients.

Presentations Specific to the Oceti Sakowin

Oceti Sakowin is the Seven Council Fires of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people, often mistakenly referred to as “Sioux.”

The Life & Times of the Oceti Sakowin – The Seven Council Fires of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people are often referred to as the “Sioux” or “The Great Sioux Nation.” This presentation discuss not only why the term “Sioux” is wrong (and offensive), but participants will come away with a deeper understanding of the complexities of this nation that is often harmfully stereotyped by Hollywood, mass media, fashion, and New Agers.

Oceti Sakowin Family Structure – Western societies are dominated by nuclear family constructs, wherein independence and self-promotion are valued over collective group benefits. For traditional Lakota people, the tiospaye (loosely defined as ‘extended family’) was of the utmost importance; when actions are taken with the group in mind, survival (of group, group culture, group values, etc.) is guaranteed. While many modern Lakota people continue to live within a tiospaye dynamic, many experts agree the breakdown of Lakota tiospaye has resulted in higher instances of risky behaviors from Lakota youth. Participants of this training will receive an overview of Lakota tiospaye, including family interaction, lineage, the benefits/drawbacks of living in a collectivist society, and how/when the tiospaye breakdown occurred. This training focuses on how the tiospaye (or lack thereof) influences family and youth behavior today, as well as practical ways professionals can interact with youth and adults who live in and/or value the traditional Lakota family structure.

Oceti Sakowin Spirituality - To be Lakota is to inhabit a multi-layered identity. It describes one’s ethnicity, culture, political status, and spirituality. These aspects are inherent when one characterizes themselves as “Lakota.” This training focuses on the spiritual foundation upon which traditional and many modern Lakota people live. Participants will be walked through the basic tenants of the Medicine Wheel, as well as given the opportunity to tangibly experience the four primary spiritual herbal elements: Sage, Sweetgrass, Cedar, and Tobacco. This training is particularly relevant in the age of hipster/New Age religious experimentation, which often lumps in specific Lakota spiritual practices with an often made-up "global" religion practiced by many but understood by few.

South Dakota Reservations - Raise your hand if you can identify the proper names of the Indian reservations in South Dakota. Raise your hand if you can identify the proper names of the federally recognized tribes in South Dakota. What about their capitols? If that introduction lost you a bit, don’t worry. It loses everyone – even Natives! While many Americans (Native and non-Native alike) can list a majority, if not all of the U.S. states and capitols, those same people generally stare blankly when asked to identity tribes and reservations. This training details the history of reservations, their impact in South Dakota, and how to properly identify these sovereign land bases.

Oceti Sakowin Origins & Histories – The origin of Lakota people is tied directly to South Dakota. Participants of this training will learn the Lakota creation story, how the Lakota ascended to Earth, and how ongoing and recent land litigation is tied directly back to Lakota existence.

Conference Keynotes, Workshops & Radio Interviews Include

Topic (Organization), Location, Date

Poetry & the Senses Fellow (Arizona State University & UC Berkeley), Fall Semester 2023
Fireweed Fellow (Storyknife Writers Retreat), Homer, AK, July 2023
IndigeQueer Poetry Salon (Emerging Beyond Genocidal Colonization), Mesa, AZ, June 2023
Writing Social Justice Narratives Across Genre (Changemaker Authors Conference), Virtual, April 29, 2023
Poetry workshop and open mic (2023 Nizhoni Week, University of New Mexico), April 26, 2023
Poetry Reading (NDN Girls Book Club Launch Party), Phoenix, AZ, April 22, 2023
Poetry workshops with queer youth (one•n•ten), Mesa, AZ, April 2023
Event Photographer (AZ Two Spirit Powwow), Phoenix, AZ, April 15, 2023
Poetry workshop (ASU Wellness Club), Phoenix, AZ, April 13, 2023
Poetry reading (Northern Arizona Book Festival), Flagstaff, AZ, April 1, 2023
Keynote speaker (Passion for Fashion, Cheyenne River Youth Project), Eagle Butte, SD, March 18, 2023
Native Voice Exhibit (Museum of Indigenous People), Prescott, AZ, January-May 2023
Taté Walker Talks ‘The Trickster Riots’ and Collaborating With Family (O'odham Action News), August 202
Yoo’tó Beaded Water Poetry Reading (IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts), Santa Fe, NM, August 2022
"my pronouns are super/nova" (Pipe Wrench Magazine), August 2022
Disrupting the Poetry World (Abalone Mountain Press Podcast), August 2022
Six Directions Poetry Talks with Indigequeer Poets (Lighthouse Writers Workshop), virtual, July 2022
Joys of Queerness and the Word: Indigequeer Poetry Reading (PEN America Arizona), Phoenix, AZ, June 2022
The Trickster Riots by Taté Walker & Ohíya Walker (Lakota Times), June 2022
LGTBQ2S+ Reporting (Native American Journalism Fellowship), virtual, June 2022
The Trickster Riots Book Launch (Palabras Bilingual Bookstore), Phoenix, AZ, June 2022
First Friday Pride Night Poetry Reading & Drag Show (Heard Museum), Phoenix, AZ, June 2022
National Poetry Month: Ceremonial Poetics (ASU's Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing), virtual, April 2022
Cultural Appropriation & Sage (Pre-Health Integrative & Holistic Quantum Club at Arizona State University), Phoenix, AZ, April 2022
Tipi Confessions (Toronto Queer Film Festival), February 2022
Indigenous Photograph 2021 Year in Pictures (Indigenous Photograph), December 2021
Violence Against Indigenous Relatives: Settler Colonialism’s Impacts Then & Now (Brookings [SD] Public Library), virtual, November 2021
Indigenous Rights Radio: Pride Month - An Interview With Taté Walker (Cultural Survival), June 2021
"Recognizing Spiritual Commodification In Wellness And The Digital Age" (Regenerative Travel), May 2021
"Indigenous Photograph: a resource for visual storytelling – in pictures" (The Guardian), February 2021
The Gift (Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies), January 2021
Indigenous Matriarchs Poetry Event (Arizona State University Labriola Center), January 2021
Queer Native Poetry (Native America Calling), January 2021
Queer Poetry Salon (Equality Arizona), December 2020
Emerging Beyond Genocidal Colonization, feat. Simon Ortiz (Voices of Modern Poetry & Literature), November 2020
Here's What Native Americans Say You Should Know Before Burning Sage Again (The Zoe Report), November 2020
Trickster Medicine: Reimagining Indigenous Relations & Futures (Southern Utah University), Cedar City, UT, November 2020
"South Dakota in Poems" Book Premiere (South Dakota Festival of Books), October 2020
Indigenous Peoples Day Poetry Reading (Indigenous Peoples Day Arizona), Phoenix, AZ, October 2020
Mentoring in Indian Country (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona), virtual, August 2020
Indigenous Storytelling (Upward Bound), virtual, August 2020
Queer Indigenous Poetics publication (Anomaly), July 2020
Momentous Healing for Indigenous Futures (Breakthrough TV), July 2020
"If the Coronavirus Is a Wildfire, Colonialism Has Fueled the Blaze" (The Nation), May 2020
“Everyone’s an Author With Readings, 3rd Edition” (W.W. Norton Anthology), April 2020
Spoken Medicine (K'é Main Street Learning Lab), January 2020
Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate Reading (ASU's Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing), January 2020
First Friday Poetry Slam (Heard Museum), January 2020
Indigenous Peoples' Day Poetry Reading (Phoenix Art Museum), October 2019
Asdzáá resistDANCE (Palabras Bilingual Bookstore), August 2019
MediaINDIGENA Roundtable (Episodes 39, 40, 41 & 43, 63, 70, 75, 76, 79, 80, 82, 84, 86, 122, and 123), 2016-2018
Root My Heart at Wounded Knee (Takuwe exhibit, CAIRNS), South Dakota, May 2018
Racism in Sports & Media (Committee of 500 Years of Dignity & Resistance) Cleveland, OH, April 2018
Unceded Hearts/Unceded Minds (Arizona State University Northlight Gallery), Phoenix, AZ, March 2018
Honoring Indigenous Women (V-Week at the Phoenix Center for the Arts), Phoenix, AZ, February 2018
Non-religious Inclusion in Interfaith Activism (Creating Change), Washington, DC, January 2018
Phoenix-Area Indigenous Activist Weighs In On Confederate Monuments (KJZZ Radio), Phoenix, AZ, August 2017
For Tapun Sa Win (Tapun Sa Win exhibit, Journey Museum), South Dakota, May 2017
Moving Past the Thanksgiving Fairytale and the Discovery Myth: The Importance of Teaching Indigenous Histories AND Not Your Cliché: A Look at the Stereotypes Plaguing Tribal Communities (St. Joseph's Indian School teachers and staff training), South Dakota, March 2017
Native Misrepresentation in Media (Unapologetic Feminist Conference, University of Akron), Ohio, March 2017
Standing Up for the Standing Rock Sioux (Media Indigena), November 2016
Moving Past the Thanksgiving Fairytale (College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University), Minnesota, November 2016
Two Spirits and Indigenous Feminisms + #NoDAPL (two presentations given at California State University, Fresno), California, November 2016
The Importance of Incorporating Lakota Culture into Juvenile Justice Programming (Disproportionate Minority Contact Conference), Sioux Falls, SD, October 2016
Writing for the Media: A Hands-On Workshop (AIANTA: American Indian/Alaska Native Tourism Association), Tulalip, Wash., September 2016
Two Spirits and Surviving Love (two presentations given at Colgate University), New York, September 2016
The Lakota Ouroboros, or Embracing My Inner Snake (Great Race exhibit, Journey Museum), South Dakota, May 2016
Reclaim the Narrative: The Native ME in Media (Racing Magpie), South Dakota, May 2016
On Pop Culture & Native Americans (SDPB Dakota Midday guest), May 2016
Lakota Origins (Longview Elementary School), Arizona, April 2016
Surviving Love (Hamline University), Minnesota, April 2016
It's Like Muggles Writing About Wizards (Native America Calling guest), March 2016
Surviving Love (Cornell College), Iowa, March, 2016
Native Women from 1492 to Today (Colby College), Maine, March 2016
Top 5 Things You Don't Know About Indian Country (National Security Agency), Colorado, Nov. 2015
Native Activism & Allyship (Kopkind Retreat), Vermont, July 2015
What Makes Us Native (Native America Calling guest), June 2015
Digital Smoke Signals: Using Social Media to Empower Lakota Storytelling (UNITY: Journalists for Diversity), South Dakota, May 2015
HIV/AIDS Awareness (CPCD Head Start), Colorado, March 2015
Indigenous 101: The Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Native Americans (CPCD Head Start), Colorado, Feb. 2015
LGBTQI2A+ Awareness (CPCD Head Start), Colorado, Nov. 2014
Crazy Horse Project (Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs), Oct., 2014
Social Media Activism in Indian Country (Native American Journalists Association), California, June 2014
Native American Gender & Sexuality (PFLAG), South Dakota, Nov. 2013
Lakota Cultural Competency (Wells Fargo Employee Training), South Dakota, Nov. 2013
Two Spirits (PFLAG Conference), South Dakota, Sept. 2013
Lakota Culture (Dakota State University), South Dakota, Aug. 2013
Two Spirits, Diversity Symposium (University of South Dakota), April 2013
Great Plains Emerging Tribal Writer (South Dakota State University Great Plains Writers’ Conference), South Dakota, March 2013
Native American Monthly Competency Series, Various Topics (Volunteers of America Dakotas), South Dakota, March 2012-Dec. 2013
Exploring Forces that Support Systemic Oppression (Sioux Falls Annual Diversity Conference), South Dakota, Nov. 2012
Diversity in Religion (Sioux Falls Annual Diversity Conference), South Dakota, Nov. 2012
Service Learning: Math Curriculum That Incorporates Native American Culture (Augustana College), South Dakota, March 2012
Diversity Series: Race, Class, and Gender (Dakota State University), South Dakota, Fall 2011-Spring 2012
Cultural Diversity For Medical Students (University of South Dakota), Spring Semester 2010, 2011, and 2012

What Others Have To Say About Taté

Taté had an extraordinary presence while visiting our institution. Her passion and advocacy for inclusivity on the subject of "Moving Past the Thanksgiving Fairytale" was well said and confidently presented. She had a great deal of energy to share this knowledge and provide growth for all leveled-learners. It is incredible to know that her voice is paving the way for Native American injustices everywhere. I wish she could have stayed longer so that we could continue to learn more about other various issues in Native American communities and for underrepresented individuals.

– Brenda M., College of Saint Benedict

The event went swimmingly, in my opinion. Several professors came to the presentation, all complimenting her (to me) afterwards. Everyone who I heard from [found] the presentation to be moving and educational. We [received] more positive feedback at our meeting the next week and on social media. She was able to cover so much information in an hour and a half without compromising our ability to understand her points. She was also really nice and easy to work with, especially considering that she had to spend a full day watching students presentations.

- Bailey R., Cornell College

I’ve had the honor of seeing Taté speak and give workshops a number of times and was consistently very impressed. She conveys warmth and friendliness while talking about very difficult issues of social justice. Her optimism and good nature shine through, which seems to keep people grounded during her presentations. Taté is very knowledgeable about social justice issues and quick on her feet, so she can diffuse any tense situations that can come up and turn them into positive, teachable moments in a comfortable, natural manner. One of the things I most admire about Taté is her ability to teach people only as much as they can handle – which builds on her ability to read the audience so she knows how much they can handle. I would recommend her to anyone as an absolutely excellent speaker!

– Clara Jacob, Paulsen

Taté spoke a large group of high school students for our Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in March of 2013. This was held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and the youth were from the community and the eastern part of the state. She was well received by the youth and their advisors. She received high remarks and positive feedback from them. I thought her presentation was fantastic and we would love to have her back again. I would highly recommended her speaking for you.

– Nicole Burger, Volunteers of America, Dakota

I attended the 11:00 AM session of the Lakota Competency 101, and I definitely had my eyes opened. Thank you so much for coming in and educating us with more knowledge of the natives to this country. The only education I really every had on Native Americans is that in which I learn in school, and yes the story is very different than the side I heard today. There are so many discriminating stereotypes out there for the Native Americans, which I feel have skewed my view on Natives growing up. Thank you for opening my eyes and seeing history from a different angle today, I definitely want to learn more and look forward to the video tomorrow.

– Karrisa R., Wells Fargo

“Saw you speak today and WOW! You were funny and touching. I was so inspired by you.”

– Pam G., PFLAG

Taté spoke at a PFLAG conference I organized on religion and how it related to and/or affected members of the LGBT community. She was on a panel of four experts from our community — each representing a different religious background. The panel members took questions at random from conference attendees, with no preparation or idea of what the questions might be. Tate’s answers were thoughtful, thorough and delivered impeccably. Her responses were often given with a degree of wit that kept everyone engaged and smiling!

– Terri Carlson, PFLAG Director, Northern Plains PFLAG