25.910.10 100th Legislative Session SC809
2025 South Dakota Legislature
Senate Commemoration 809
Introduced by: Senator Foster
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A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Honoring Bryan Brewer, Sr., for his visionary 1
leadership, transformative impact, and unwavering dedication to advancing 2
athletics, academics, and community empowerment. 3
WHEREAS, Bryan Brewer, Sr., was born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, on February 4, 1947, 4
the son of Vincent and Alvina Brewer, and an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe; and 5
WHEREAS, Bryan’s Lakota name, Ohiyaku, means, "returns victoriously", which has come 6
to symbolize his life of service, triumph, and leadership; and 7
WHEREAS, Bryan served his country honorably as a United States Navy Seabee during 8
the Vietnam War, completing two tours and earning recognition as a combat veteran; and 9
WHEREAS, Bryan is the proud father of four children and grandfather to four grandchildren 10
and two great-grandchildren, who have all been influenced by his vision and guidance; and 11
WHEREAS, Bryan graduated from Black Hills State University in 1976 with a bachelor’s 12
degree in secondary education and dedicated thirty-three years to the education field as a 13
teacher, coach, principal, athletic director, and dean of students, serving at Pine Ridge and 14
Red Cloud High School, and at the Rocky Boy Tribal High School in Rocky Boy, Montana; and 15
WHEREAS, Bryan’s most significant contribution to the state of South Dakota was his 16
founding of the Lakota Nation Invitational, an event that has grown from a small basketball 17
tournament to a celebration of athletics, academics, fine arts, and culture for the last forty-18
seven years; and 19
WHEREAS, the Lakota Nation Invitational has become one of the most prestigious events 20
in South Dakota, fostering racial reconciliation, uniting the Oceti Sakowin tribes, and honoring 21
military service men and women, while highlighting the talents of the state’s youth; and 22 25.910.10 2 SC809
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WHEREAS, Bryan’s leadership in the Lakota Nation Invitational has led to recognition as 1
South Dakota’s premier event by Sports Illustrated magazine, and contributed to the 2
empowerment of youth for over four decades, creating a history of champions; and 3
WHEREAS, Bryan served as a member of the South Dakota High School Activities 4
Association Board of Directors from 2004 to 2009, becoming the first Native American to hold 5
the position, and advocating for Native American students and increasing awareness of their 6
unique challenges; and 7
WHEREAS, Bryan served as president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe from 2012 to 2016, in 8
which he earned recognition as an environmental advocate, opposing the Keystone XL 9
pipeline, and securing a permanent shutdown of liquor sales in White Clay, Nebraska; and 10
WHEREAS, in 2018, the South Dakota High School Coaches Association created the Spirit 11
of Influence Award to be given annually in honor of Bryan to recognize his enduring legacy of 12
leadership and positive influence on students; and 13
WHEREAS, Bryan was inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame in 2022, a 14
recognition of his monumental contributions to the state's athletic, academic, and cultural 15
communities; and 16
WHEREAS, Bryan’s unparalleled dedication to improving education, empowering youth, 17
and expanding opportunities for future generations serves as an inspiring example of 18
leadership and selflessness for all South Dakotans; 19
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the One Hundredth Legislature of the State 20
of South Dakota, that Bryan Brewer, Sr., has made a positive difference to his community, 21
his people, and the state of South Dakota, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations 22
to come. 23