Dora Bruguier, Eagle Butte, South Dakota
Friday, March 1, 2013 at 9:33AM 
Dora Bruguier at Senior Center, Eagle Butte, South Dakota 3/00
Back in March of 2000, I took some 18 Winona State University journalism and photography students for a spring break week at the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota. It was a spectacular week that included a genuine blizzard, livestock work, many fine stories and photographs, plus wonderful hospitality among native and Anglo people alike. This productive week helped several students get good jobs after graduation.
For my part, I spent much of the week making portraits of women and men at the senior center in Eagle Butte, hearing stories, enjoying the company of people who have the time to listen, laugh, and contemplate something of the nature of life.
And so here is Dora Bruguier, everybody’s grandmother, Lakota tribal member, in all her dignity, wearing what look to be moccasins from Lands End. It was mid-March, and shamrocks hang in the background. Everybody is Irish on St. Paddy’s Day.
Reader Comments (5)
Wonderful face!
This is a beautiful portrait, Drake. She looks strong and dignified and the space adds a lot of character.
Such nice tones in this, and she looks so calm and still next to the tangle of chair and table legs. And her expression is beautiful...she has the face of someone who has done a lot of gazing into the distance and measuring things up.
Dear Dora Brugier, I would like to meet you by mail. I life in Germany. And i was reading a book names Lakota stories. When i reading yourt name it was something that i feel inside i can not explain. I think i know you. Lots of love and blessings from Germany. Anne
Dear Dora Brugier, I would like to meet you by mail. I life in Germany. And i was reading a book names Lakota stories. When i reading yourt name it was something that i feel inside i can not explain. I think i know you. Lots of love and blessings from Germany. Anne