David Archambault II facts for kids

David Archambault II (Lakota: Tokala Ohitika) is a leader from the Sioux people. He served as the chairman of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota from 2013 to 2017. He played a very important part in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. He continues to work hard to help people understand the historical treaty rights and indigenous rights of Native American people. David Archambault II has degrees in Business Administration and Management. In 2017, he started working at FirstNation HealthCare as a chief consulting officer.

Growing Up 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. His father was one of the first leaders in the movement to create tribal colleges and universities.

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

His grandmother shared a sad story about her childhood. She was taken from her family to a boarding school where she was not allowed to speak her native language. Young people faced serious trouble if they practiced their traditional beliefs. His uncles were part of a group called the American Indian Movement. This group worked for Native American rights. David remembers his grandfather and his wife's father for their amazing ability to "tell stories." He says that many things he does today come from what he learned from them.

David Archambault II went to Standing Rock Community College, which is now called Sitting Bull College. He also attended 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

David Archambault II was chosen as the Chairman of the Standing Rock Tribal Council in September 2013. He won against Mike Faith and took over from Charles Murphy. In 2017, Mike Faith won the election and became 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 important Native American rights issues. He has shared information about indigenous rights with the United States Congress and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

In 2014, David Archambault II and his wife Nicole met President Barack Obama. This happened when President Obama visited the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation for Flag Day. David praised Obama for helping to fix "historic wrongs" related to tribal land disputes. He said that if Sitting Bull were alive, he would be honored by Obama's actions.

Standing Up to the Pipeline

David Archambault II was a key leader in the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. He helped set up resistance camps next to the Standing Rock reservation. 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 criticized how the police responded to the protesters.

He wrote an article in The New York Times where he explained his concerns. He said that the state government seemed to be helping the oil companies. He mentioned that the state had made his reservation feel like a military zone. There were roadblocks, license-plate checks, and low-flying aircraft. He also noted that Native Americans were being unfairly targeted.

The protesters worked hard to block the pipeline. After many months of protests, 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 stated that he and the tribe would keep protesting and working for Native American rights.

He believes that true energy independence comes from clean energy sources, not fossil fuels. David Archambault II also thinks that the pipeline protests helped to inspire and empower young people everywhere.

Working for Native American Rights

David Archambault II has spoken at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. He also led the “Native Nations Rise” march in Washington, D.C. He has published articles in 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 "Doctorate of Law Honoris Causa" 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, and values strong.

His Family

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 that family is very important.

He writes that his family still grows fresh vegetables, hunts, fishes, and raises horses. As a father, he wants his children to experience life on the reservation. He feels it is important to pass on good traditions so that future generations know who they are. He believes 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 to support Native American causes. In 2009, President Obama appointed his sister Jodi Archambault to a special role at the White House. She was the first Native American to hold that position. She helped tribal nations connect with the White House. She worked on the 2013 Violence Against Women Act. This law recognized the right of tribal nations to prosecute 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 as a financial aid director at Oglala Lakota College.