Starr Chief Eagle
Lakota Artist & Hoop Dancer Extraordinaire

Starr Chief Eagle

Wichahpi Ohitika Winyan

Brave Star Woman

 

          Starr Chief Eagle is an enrolled member of the Sicangu (Rosebud) Lakota Sioux Tribe.    She was born with the Lakota name Wichahpi Tokahe (First Star) and was later given the Lakota name Wichahpi Ohitika Winyan (Brave Star Woman) as she entered into adulthood. She grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota including Rapid City and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and started hoop dancing before she could walk.  Since then she has been practicing every year to perfect her techniques and skills.  Starr was raised up in hoop dancing by her father Dallas Chief Eagle and continues to carry on his teachings with a combination of her own.

 

          Starr enjoys sharing her culture through art, language, dance, and song for future generations in hopes of restoring and maintaining the Lakota culture.  She has performed the art of Hoop Dancing throughout the world and continues to further reach out at home and in the heart of the Paha Sapa (Black Hills of South Dakota) at places such as Crazy Horse Memorial as well as schools, libraries, camps, and other gatherings.  In her free time, she continues to learn more about the art, history, and language of the Lakota people.  She currently has maintained an A.A. in Lakota Studies from Oglala Lakota College as well as a B.S. in American Indian Studies minor in Philosophy from Black Hills State University. This knowledge is expressed through crafts such as beading, sewing, and other artworks as well as influences her performances and teachings, enriching her everyday life.