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Steve Emery Vice-President

 

Steve Emery

Steve Emery is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.  Emery whose Lakota name is Mato Tanka or Big Bear, has served as Tribal Attorney for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for about two years.  Immediately prior to coming to Standing Rock, Emery served as Tribal Attorney for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe -- from November 2003 through December 2005.  Emery served as Vice President for Business Affairs, Policy Development and Community Development at the Sinte Gleska or, Spotted Tail, University, from January 2001 through October 2003 on the Rosebud Reservation.  Emery was appointed Chief Justice for the Oglala Sioux Nation Supreme Court in July 1996 and served in that capacity until May 2001.  He was Attorney General for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for nearly a dozen years – from his 1989 graduation from Harvard Law School through December 2000. 

 

Emery was inducted into the Alpha Chapter of South Dakota of Phi Beta Kappa in spring 1986 and received his B.A. from the University of South Dakota in May 1986.  He earned an Associate of Arts Degree at Nebraska Indian Community College on the Santee Sioux Reservation in May 1981.  Emery received his G.E.D. at Marty Indian School on the Yankton Sioux Reservation in June 1977. 

 

Mato Tanka has been honored with eagle tail feathers by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (3), the Rosebud Sioux Tribe (2) and the Denver Indian Center (1) for his legal work.  He was made a Chief of the Oceti Sakowin or Seven Council Fires of the Titonwan or Prairie Dwelling Lakota at Crow Dog’s Sun Dance, August 4, 2007 by Chief Oliver Red Cloud, Chief Arvol Looking Horse and Medicine Men and Chiefs Sam Moves Camp, Rick Two Dogs and Leonard Crow Dog.  Thus, he is now known as WicasItancan Mato Tanka or Chief Big Bear.