Kevin Killer facts for kids

Kevin Killer was born on May 4, 1979. He is a Native American leader and politician from the Oglala Sioux Tribe. He was the president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe from 2020 to 2022.

Before becoming president, he was a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2009 to 2017. Then he served in the South Dakota Senate from 2017 to 2019. He represented District 27 in South Dakota. Kevin Killer lives in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

In November 2020, he was chosen as the president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. He tried to be re-elected in 2022 but was not successful. Frank Star Comes Out became the new president.

Early Life and Education

Kevin Killer grew up in Denver, Colorado. His father, Francis, was also Oglala Sioux. He worked as a CPA, which is 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, other leaders helped guide him.

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

Kevin Killer's Career in Politics and Leadership

In 2004, Kevin Killer started his political journey. He worked for U.S. Senator Tom Daschle. This was his first experience in government.

In 2009, Kevin became the first "Tribal College Fellow" for an organization called Young People For. He helped this group grow its network of tribal colleges. Later, he helped create a new group led by Native Americans called the Native Youth Leadership Alliance.

Serving in the South Dakota 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 helps decide which new laws move forward.

In 2016, he was elected to the State Senate for District 27. In 2015, he also received a special award called a Bush Fellowship.

Leading Native Youth

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

Other Work

Besides his political work, Kevin Killer has also been involved in making films. He has worked as an actor and a 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. Sarah is a leader of non-profit groups, a film producer, and an activist.