Kevin Killer facts for kids

Kevin Killer is a Native American activist and politician. He was born on May 4, 1979. He is a member of the Oglala Sioux people.

From 2020 to 2022, he served as the president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Before that, he was a member of the Democratic party. He served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2009 to 2017. He also served in the South Dakota Senate from 2017 to 2019. He represented the 27th district in both roles. Kevin Killer lives in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

In November 2020, he was chosen as president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. He ran for re-election in 2022 but was not re-elected. Frank Star Comes Out became the next president.

Early Life and Education

Kevin Killer grew up in Denver, Colorado. His father, Francis, was Oglala Sioux and worked as an accountant. His mother, Janice, is from the Kiowa tribe in Oklahoma.

When Kevin was young, he spent every summer on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. This helped him learn about his father's Oglala people and their land. After his father passed away when Kevin was 20, he received help from mentors.

Kevin Killer went to Oglala Lakota College. This is a special college that serves Native American communities.

Career and Public Service

Early Political Experience

In 2004, Kevin Killer started his political journey. He worked as an assistant for United States Senator Tom Daschle. This was his first experience in politics.

In 2009, he became the first Tribal College Fellow for an organization called Young People For. This group helps young people develop leadership skills. Kevin helped expand their network to include tribal colleges. He later helped create a Native American-led group called the Native Youth Leadership Alliance.

Serving in the Legislature

Kevin Killer was first elected to the South Dakota state legislature in 2008. He became a Representative. He worked on important committees like the House State Affairs Committee. This committee plays a big role in deciding which laws move forward. He also served on the Judicial Affairs Committee.

In 2016, he was elected to the State Senate for District 27. In 2015, he was chosen as a Bush Fellow. This is a special program that supports leaders.

Youth Leadership and Advocacy

Since 2010, Kevin Killer has been the director of the Native American Youth Leadership Alliance. This group works to train young leaders on reservations. Kevin has pointed out that many people living on reservations are under 18 years old.

In 2019, Killer became a senior fellow at Prism. He also helped start Advance Native Political Leadership. This is a non-profit group that works to get more Indigenous people elected to public office across the United States.

Creative Work

Besides his political work, Kevin Killer has also been involved in making films. He has worked as an actor and executive producer on two short films. These films are called Running Shadow and Istinma.

Personal Life

Kevin Killer is in a relationship with Sarah Eagle Heart. She is also Oglala Sioux and from the Pine Ridge Reservation. She is a leader in non-profit organizations, a film producer, and an activist.