Lucio speaks of God, happiness, love, family

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

JEFFERS -- Lower Sioux Community member Michael Lucio spoke of the most important things in his life -- God, happiness, love and family Saturday at the Jeffers Petroglyphs Historical Site.

His message had redeeming value.

"Be happy, never sad," Lucio said. "Be happy with what God has given you. Love each other, especially your children. We take too much for granted. When I hear my children say they love me, I remember those are the most important words in my life."

A white woman came up to him after the dancing and story telling program he and his children provided and told him his message could save the world.

It sounded like his message of love and happiness is working.

"My lovely wife said she would live in a cardboard box with me as long as we were a family," Lucio said.

An interpreter and historical guide at the petroglyphs and Lower Sioux historical sites, Lucio and his family moved to the Lower Sioux reservation near Morton, from the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota five years ago.

He quickly noticed a need for more cultural things at the Lower Sioux reservation.

"I felt there was no culture in our community," Lucio said. "Where I came from, my mother's reservation -- Pine Ridge -- is one of the poorest counties in the country but the culture is strong. Lots of people speak the language, dance and sing."

He found the Lower Sioux to be the opposite of Pine Ridge. People had money and material things, but that was about all they had.

"That's when I got my kids to dance, to try and start a revival in our community of young kids realizing their history instead of just the money and materialistic things," Lucio said.

Moving to Minnesota made him feel good in other ways.

He appreciated the friendly way most Minnesotans treat Native American Indians compared to negative attitudes he felt toward tribal members in South Dakota.

"They really acknowledge you for who you are, not because of your money or your skin," Lucio said. "I felt lots of prejudice in South Dakota. We go back home often to visit family and dance. I can feel the negative attitudes and my children sense it."

Lucio said he is very proud to be a Minnesotan because of the friendliness and welcome feelings he has been shown here.

"People here respect us, open up their hearts and appreciate our culture here," he said.

Lucio has spoken and had his children have danced at several schools in New Ulm in recent years. Decades ago, he was told to stay out of New Ulm because of ill feelings toward Native Americans there, which he thinks was caused by the Sioux Uprising of 1862.

For most people, those feelings are gone.

"I've noticed a big turnaround with New Ulm people," Lucio said. "People there changed their attitudes, taught their children well and have been very good to us."

Lucio's children, Gaylon 13, Samantha 11, Warren 10, and Taylor 9, dressed in Native American dancing garb at the petroglphs site.

They represented a brave eagle, a kind-hearted woman, a jingle dress and one who dances with the wind.

Last summer, the Lucios were invited to the Summer Institute at Martin Luther College in New Ulm. A death in the family kept them from making the trip.

The Lucios have been invited to dance at many pow wows in Minnesota and South Dakota including the Rapid City Pow Wow and Arts Festival next week. They have also received invitations to perform at Disney World.

The family often competes in traditional and contest powwows as jingle and fancy shawl dancers at Morton and Shakopee.

Conditions are not always comfortable.

"It's often hot and dusty and the kids get tired," Lucio said. "I just tell them to remember who they are dancing for -- Our people. It seems they don't mind so much when I tell them that and it's the truth."