Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

GREG ZEPHIER (IHANKTOWAN HOKSHINA) 1930-1999

Father, husband, grandfather, and leader in the fight for indigenous rights, Greg Zephier passed on to the spirit world the morning of April 29, 1999. Greg Zephier was a talented artist whose painting of a peace pipe across the Western Hemisphere became the internationally-recognized logo for the International Indian Treaty Council and the united struggle of all indigenous peoples of the world. He was also a noted American Indian diplomat and human rights advocate, working from 1974 until the mid-1980's representing indigenous people on land, human rights and self-determination issues in the United Nations and throughout the international community. In the 1960s Greg was the founder and lead guitar player for the band, the Vanishing Americans, one of the first native bands to travel nationally. They were known for their great music and the fact that they built all of their own instruments.

Greg, who was a member of the Ihanktowan Nakota (also known as the Yankton Sioux) Nation, set down his guitar in the early 1970s and joined the American Indian Movement, where he rose to become one of its leaders. He was a founder of the International Indian Treaty Council, which was in the forefront of the international aspect of the indigenous struggle, and he traveled throughout the world meeting with international leaders, nations and organizations while advancing the cause of the rights of native peoples. Greg and his family participated in The Longest Walk in 1977, and in 1981 helped found Yellow Thunder Camp in the Black Hills of South Dakota, which helped reestablish the right of American Indians to practice their religion in the sacred Black Hills pursuant to rights established under various treaties with the Sioux Nation.

Recently, Greg focused his energy on creating and guiding the band Indigenous, made up of four of his children Mato, Wanbdi, Pte, and American Horse. He taught and guided them to their current status as world class performers, and the band has become his personal and professional legacy. Greg's unwavering commitment to Indian people, his artistry, and his encouraging and loving embrace of family and traditional Dakota values will be surely be missed by all who had the honor to know him. He is survived by his wife Beverly, 17 children and 48 grandchildren.

Wake services were held for one night at the Wagner National Guard Armory (Highway 46), in Wagner, South Dakota, on Friday, April 30. Mr. Zephier will be moved from the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner at 10:00 a.m. Family and friends will hold a walk from the funeral home to the National Guard Armory when they move Mr. Zephier. Burial will be held at the Zephier Sundance Grounds and Residence in rural Marty, South Dakota on Saturday, May 1 at 5:00 p.m. Flowers, cards or other memorials may be sent to the Wagner National Guard Armory.