David Archambault II facts for kids

David Archambault II (whose Lakota name is Tokala Ohitika, meaning "Brave Fox") is a leader from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota. He served as the tribal chairman from 2013 to 2017. David Archambault II played a big part in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. He continues to work hard to help people understand the important treaty rights and indigenous rights of Native American people. He has degrees in Business Administration and Management.

Early Life and Learning

David Archambault II was born in Denver, Colorado. His mother, Betty Archambault, was a teacher at the Standing Rock Community School. His father, David Archambault Sr., was also an educator and a leader in starting tribal colleges and universities.

David grew up with his family on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He went to Little Wound School in Kyle, South Dakota. He spent a lot of time with his grandfather, who taught him how to hunt, fish, cut wood, garden, and ride horses.

He remembers his grandmother telling him that she was taken from her family to attend a boarding school. She was punished for speaking her native language. Young people were even threatened with jail if they practiced their traditional religion. His uncles were involved in the American Indian Movement, which worked for Native American rights. David learned a lot from his grandfather and his wife's father, especially about telling stories. He says, "A lot of the things I do today are things that I learned from my grandpa Willard and my father-in-law John Thunder Hawk."

David Archambault II studied at Standing Rock Community College (now Sitting Bull College) and Bismarck State College. He earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from North Dakota State University. Later, he earned a master's degree in Management from the University of Mary.

Leading the Standing Rock Tribe

In September 2013, David Archambault II was chosen as the Chairman of the Standing Rock Tribal Council. He took over from Charles Murphy. In 2017, Mike Faith was elected as the new chairman.

As chairman, David Archambault II often spoke for the Standing Rock Tribe. He talked about their protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. He also spoke about other Native American rights issues. He shared information about indigenous rights with the United States Congress and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

In 2014, David and his wife Nicole met President Barack Obama. This happened when Obama visited the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. David praised Obama for helping to fix past problems with tribal land. He said that the famous leader Sitting Bull would have been proud.

Standing Up Against the Pipeline

David Archambault II was a key leader in the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. He helped set up camps near the Standing Rock reservation where people gathered to protest. In August 2016, he was arrested while protesting.

He spoke with many journalists to explain the history of the movement. He also shared information about treaty and indigenous rights. He felt that the police response to the protesters was too harsh.

In an article for The New York Times, he wrote about the situation. He explained that the state government seemed to be helping the oil companies. He described how the area around his reservation became like a military zone. There were roadblocks, license-plate checks, and low-flying aircraft. He also mentioned that Native Americans were being unfairly stopped and questioned.

The protesters worked hard to stop the pipeline. After many months, in December 2016, the United States Army Corps of Engineers decided not to allow the pipeline to cross a certain area. They also said they would study other possible routes.

However, in February 2017, the new President, Donald Trump, ordered the pipeline construction to continue. The pipeline was finished in April. David Archambault II said, "Our fight isn’t over until there is permanent protection of our people and resources from the pipeline." He promised that he and the tribe would keep working for Native American rights.

He believes that true energy independence comes from clean energy sources, not fossil fuels. David Archambault II thinks the pipeline protests helped young people, both locally and around the world, feel stronger and more involved.

Native American Rights and Growth

David Archambault II spoke before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. He also led the “Native Nations Rise” march in Washington, D.C. He wrote articles for The New York Times. He has received many awards for his work. Foreign Policy Magazine named him a “Leading Global Thinker of 2016.” The National Congress of American Indians gave him the "Native American Leadership Award." He was also honored as the "Global Green Champion" and received a special law degree from the Vermont Law School.

In 2017, David Archambault II joined the Native American Venture Fund. This group works to help Native American communities grow their economies. They do this while keeping their culture, sovereignty (their right to govern themselves), and values strong.

Family Life

David Archambault II has seven brothers and sisters: Billi Hornbeck, Jodi Archambault, Sunshine Carlow, Amber Powless, Rick Red Blanket, Charles Archambault, and Jim Archambault. He is married to Nicole Thunder Hawk. They have two children, Jaimie and Jayce.

He believes family is very important. He writes: "Along with my in-laws we still grow fresh vegetables, hunt, fish, and raise horses. As a young father, I want my children to experience reservation life." He worries about losing their identity. He wants to pass on traditions so his children's children will know who they are. He feels that young people are the most important. He wants to create a good environment for them to learn important life lessons.

Many members of David Archambault II's family have worked for Native American causes. In 2009, President Obama chose his sister, Jodi Archambault, for an important role in the White House. She was the first Native American to hold that position. She worked on the 2013 Violence Against Women Act. This act recognized the right of tribal nations to deal with non-Indians who commit violence against women. His sister Sunshine Carlow helps promote Native American culture. She works with the Standing Rock Education Consortium and the Lakota/Dakota Language Revitalization Program. His sister Billie Hornbeck works in financial aid at Oglala Lakota College.