FEBRUARY 9, 1940

LAKOTA EDUCATOR LIONEL BORDEAUX BORN

Bordeaux, born on the Rosebud Reserve in South Dakota (SD), earned a bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University (1964). From 1964-72, he worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In 1973, after earning a master’s degree from University (U) of SD & while working on his doctoral dissertation at U of Minnesota, he was named the 1^st president of Sinte Gleska College (SGC), a position he held until 2021. SGC received accreditation & university status in 1977. Bordeaux also served as: Rosebud Tribal Council member; Chair, Tribal Education Committee & Education Board; Member, SD State Education & Planning Commission; Regent, Haskell Indian Junior College; President, American Indian Higher Education Consortium and National Indian Education Association; and co-chair, White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities. Honors: Outstanding Educator of the Year, SD Indian Education Association & National Congress of American Indians; and SD Hall of Fame. He died November 16, 2022.

Sources:

“Lionel Bordeaux,” Notable Native Americans, American Indian Education Foundation.  Retrieved 9/21/2022, Notable Native Americans: Lionel Bordeaux - American Indian Education Foundation (nativepartnership.org)

“The Honor of a Name,” Black Hills State University Alumni Magazine, Spring 2018 - Black Hills State University, Pages 3-4.  Retrieved 9/21/2022, Black Hills State University Alumni Magazine | Spring 2018 - Black Hills State University - Page 1 - 24 | Flip PDF Online | PubHTML5

“Lionel Bordeaux Obituary - Valentine, NE,” Holmes Funeral Home.  Retrieved 10/16/2023, Lionel Bordeaux Obituary - Valentine, NE | Holmes Funeral Home (holmesfh.com)

Photo:  U.S. Department of Education, undated. Public domain. Photograph taken by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.  Source: 

Lionel-Bordeaux-President-of-Sinte-Gleska-University | White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities