This name change occurred within the Native American culture.
Angela Lynn Cavender (1968-2007)
She was born to a former professor of Indigenous Nations & Dakota Studies at Southwest Minnesota State University and a social service director. Waziyatawin grew up in and out of the Upper Sioux Indian Reservation.
In 1992, she would earn a double degree in history and American Indian studies at the University of Minnesota. Eventually, her PhD dissertation involved Dakota decolonization and Eli Taylor’s writings.
Waziyatawin (2007-)
waziyatawin: (Dakota) woman of the north; given to her by an elder
She would become an activist alongside being a tenured professor at the Arizona State University. Waziyatawin also founded the non-profit organization called Oyate Nipi Kte dedicated to preserving Dakota knowledge and livelihood.
Sources
- “Indigenous Governance – Faculty”. University of Victoria.
- Sexsmith, Pamela (2008). “Waziyatawin appointed to head up governance program”. Windspeaker. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- “Waziyatawin.” Wikipedia.