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Tokala Black Elk was born in 1984 in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, USA. He is an actor, known for Happy's Place (2024), Yellowstone (2018) and 1883 (2021).

Russell Means was born an Oglala/Lakota Sioux Indian. He was the first national director of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in which role he became prominent during the 1973 standoff with the U.S. government at Wounded Knee. In 1987, he joined the U.S. Libertarian Party and announced his candidacy for the party's presidential nomination. (He lost the nomination to Congressman Ron Paul). Since 1992, Means has appeared in The Last of the Mohicans (1992), Natural Born Killers (1994) and other movies. He has championed the rights of indigenous peoples in other countries as well as the U.S. In a televised speech to the 2000 Libertarian Party National Convention, Means said that he prefers the label "Indian" to the more politically-correct "Native American". "Everyone who is born in America is a native American", he said.

Oglala Lakota, born Edsel Wallace Little Sky on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota. Eddie served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific theatre during World War II. Tall (at 6 ft, 2") and muscular, he was subsequently employed as an oil field wildcatter and then toured the rodeo circuit with Casey Tibbs' American Wild West Show & Rodeo as a bull and bareback bronco rider. He entered films as a stuntman in the early 50s. By the middle of the decade, Eddie was playing Native American chiefs and braves and eventually amassed a portfolio of more than 60 film credits and numerous TV episodes -- often as a featured player rather than a mere extra. Among his better known roles was that of Black Eagle in A Man Called Horse (1970). Eddie and his wife Dawn Little Sky moved to Los Angeles in 1959, but they never regarded this as their true 'home'. "Phasing out the Hollywood era", as Dawn called it, they returned to South Dakota in 1975 whereupon Eddie worked as director of the Oglala Lakota Tribal Parks and Recreation Authority. Both Eddie and Dawn were also well known for their accomplishments as exponents of traditional dance, having toured both Europe and Japan and performed before royalty.

Lucas Brown Eyes is an Oglala Lakota writer. His family moved to California so he could study film and television at Orange County High School of the Arts. He would then get a film degree from USC. In 2014 he was accepted into the ABC Disney Writing Program and soon started writing for shows like Young & Hungry and KC Undercover.

Larry Swalley was born on 28 May 1962 in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, USA. He is an actor, known for West of Thunder (2012), Skins (2002) and The West (1996).

Lyle Baer is a talented artist with a passion for digital art and design. Lyle has honed his skills and developed a unique style that combines traditional techniques with cutting-edge technology.

Throughout his career, Lyle has worked on a variety of projects for clients across different industries, including advertising, publishing, and entertainment. His work has been featured in various publications and exhibitions, and he has won several awards for his exceptional art and design skills.

Lyle's digital creations are awe-inspiring, showcasing his creativity and attention to detail. He is constantly pushing boundaries and experimenting with new techniques to create artwork that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

Chief Weatherstrain was born on 7 January 1862 in Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, USA. He was an actor, known for Daniel Boone (1923). He died in 1947 in Boulder City, Nevada, USA.

Nellie Two Bulls was born on 25 January 1926 in Payabaya Community, Pine Ridge, S.D., USA. She died on 18 February 2007 in Rapid City, S.D., USA.

Deborah White Plume was born on 20 August 1954 in Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, USA. She was a producer and writer, known for Owe Aku: Bring Back the Way (2006), P.O.V. (1988) and Crying Earth Rise Up (2015). She was married to Alex White Plume. She died on 10 November 2020 in Rapid City, South Dakota, USA.

Arlene L. Goings was born in 1952 in Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, USA. She is known for Crazy Horse (1996). She died on 30 April 2012 in Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, USA.

Billy Mills' victory in the 10,000 meter run at the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo shocked the world as one of the greatest upsets in sports history. It was possible only after overcoming numerous personal difficulties in his life.

A 7/16 Oglala Sioux Native American, he grew up on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. As a child, he suffered the misfortune of the death of his mother, and at age 12 became an orphan with his father's passing. Even without the loss of his two parents, life on the reservation was difficult as he was often rejected for not being full blooded Native American.

Haskell Institute, a boarding school for Native Americans in Lawrence, Kansas was the next stop. He developed a talent for distance running that eventually earned him an athletic scholarship to the University of Kansas, also in Lawrence. He distinguished himself as an All-American in cross country at KU and was part of a track team that won national titles.

Life at KU was not all good. Mills was socially rejected for his ethnicity while at KU, and was even asked not to be in the team picture for the track team. At one point he contemplated suicide, but the dream of winning the gold medal in the 10,000 inspired him.

Mills became a lieutenant in the Marine Corps and had not run for some time when he decided to resume training for the 1964 Olympic Trials. As a result of his hard work, he made the U.S. Olympic team in both the 10,000 meters and marathon.

When the competitors lined up for the 10,000 meter finals at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Mills was not considered a contender. In fact he was never interviewed until after the race. One of the race favorites, Australia's Ron Clarke, had a personal best nearly one minute faster than that of Mills. Mohammed Gamoudi of Tunisia was also expected to contend.

Clarke was up in front for much of the race, and Mills stayed close as other runners faded. When the bell signaled the final lap, Mills and Clarke were in the lead with Gammoudi closing in. A few seconds later, Clarke pushed Mills two lanes to the outside as Gammoudi cut in. Mills was able to regain his footing, but had lost some distance to Clarke and Gammoudi.

With less than 100 yards to go, Mills made a final surge and passed both Clarke and Gammoudi to win the gold medal. The track and field world was in shock. To this day, Mills is the only American to win gold in the 10,000 meter run.

Mills is now a spokesperson for Running Strong for American Youth and shares his experiences as a motivational speaker.

Karen L. Testerman, Hunkpapa/Oglala, was raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. She attended boarding schools at Oglala Community School, Pine Ridge; Concho Indian School, El Reno, Oklahoma; Chilocco Indian School, Chilocco, Oklahoma. She has three sons, all of whom are grown, and one daughter who is still in high school and resides with her.

After her work on TNT's Crazy Horse movie, Karen became a journalist, photographer and managing editor for Indian Country Today during 1996-1999 when the publication was still owned and operated by Tim Giago. She continued to work for ICT after the Oneida's of New York purchased the company, after which she resigned her position to work with British Author Serle Chapman on his second book "We The People" Of Earth and Elders II. She than went on to write for Lakota Journal and continues to write for the publication as a correspondent.

Lester Pourier was born on 19 November 1931 in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, USA. Lester is known for Pac-Man (1982), ABC Weekend Specials (1977) and Josie and the Pussy Cats in Outer Space (1972). Lester died on 2 December 2020 in Whiteclay, Nebraska, USA.

Hubert A. Ingraham was born on 4 August 1947 in Pine Ridge, Grand Bahama, Bahamas.