Galen Lee Drapeau Sr., 71, of Lake Andes

Galen died Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 at his home in Lake Andes. Wake services will begin at the Marty Indian School gymnasium in Marty, SD on Saturday, October 10th. Funeral services with military honors will be at the Marty Indian School gymnasium in Marty on Tuesday, October 13th, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. Burial is in the Greenwood Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Greenwood, SD. Peters Funeral Home, Wagner, SD, is in charge of arrangements.

Galen Lee Drapeau was born November 9, 1948, in Wagner, SD to Leo Drapeau and Florence Drapeau (Zephier), both from Greenwood, SD. Galen was born and raised on the Yankton Sioux Reservation where he attended and graduated from St. Paul's Indian Mission at Marty, SD (now known as Marty Indian School). After graduating, he did a short stint at an art school in Chicago where he was so hungry that he joined the US Marine Corp and became a cook.  He served from February 26, 1968, to February 25, 1972, with 13 months of active duty on the DMZ in Vietnam.

In 1969 after returning from Vietnam, Galen married Genelli Knudsen and over the years they had 7 beautiful children: Galen Jr, Glenn, Gina, Galena, Gary, Galicia, and Gregory. In 1975, Galen moved his family from Minneapolis to the Ihanktonwan Reservation where Galen found his Dakota way of life.  He enjoyed traveling the pow-wow trail, in which he was a fancy feather dancer and singer. Some of the most joyous times of Galen's life were spent traveling with his family from pow-wow to pow-wow. This was evident in the stories that he shared about these travels. Sometimes, that sly little smile would be a story in itself. He learned the language by visiting the elders and brought quillwork back to the reservation. Galen also discovered his spiritual roots by vision questing and sundancing and became a medicine man. He carried several bundles including an elk bundle and performed Yuwipi ceremonies for the people. His passion was to learn his way of life and pass it on to the people. He volunteered as a teacher at Marty Indian School teaching both art and Dakota language. He taught many people how to quill and worked with the men. They went on survival trips, hunted, started a drum group, and worked together spiritually.

His path then led him into a second union with Hope Ann Neis, in which he added 6 wonderful children to his life: Byron, Dallas, Grace, Glenford, Georgina, and Garrett. During this time Galen continued to practice his way of life traveling the pow-wow circuit and growing with his yuwipi and elk bundles. He was instrumental in helping others start their bundles. He started a very successful quillwork business, Elk's Camp Society, and sold quillwork all over the world.  Their work was admired and in great demand. He has work in museum collections, such as a cradleboard at the Minnesota Historical Society.  He made his first trip to Europe during this time.

Eventually, Galen found his lasting home with Annette Mitchell, where the final two precious members of his family were born: Geoffrey and Gabrielle.  Galen's travels to other continents continued with a trip to Egypt where he prayed in the pyramids.  Geoffrey was born during a ceremony in Colombia.  As part of the Eagle and Condor prophecy a connection between Galen and the people of South America was formed.  Galen was vital in establishing a Wiwayang Wacipi (Sundance ceremony) for the people of Colombia and has made many trips and relatives there over the years.  For the past three, he has also been traveling to Greece teaching and performing sweat lodges.

He used to always say, "I love my Indian ways".  His passion was with sharing what he had learned and helping all peoples grow.  His greatest pride and pleasure was enjoying the fruits of his labors by watching his children and grandchildren flourish in life and as human beings; some as spiritual leaders,  some as dancers, some as athletes, some as beautiful quillworkers, beaders, and seamstresses, but most importantly strong, happy human beings

The family wants to thank all who have shared in the life of this very special man. There are no words that can explain the feeling Galen brought to any gathering, his smile and joking nature would uplift all who encountered this beautiful man.

In life, there are very few relatives that we encounter that cannot be replaced or forgotten, Galen is one of those relatives. When that moment comes, and we feel the need to see his smile, or hear one of his jokes, look to the beautiful legacy that he has left behind, his children and grandchildren. We will see his smile, we will hear his voice, and we will hear one of his jokes.

Galen was preceded in death by his parents Florence and Leo, his brothers, Chuck, Leo Jr., Casey, Glenford, and Keith and his granddaughter Makenzee.

He is survived by his companion, Annette Mitchell, brother, Cephas Ashes, sisters: Ida Falcon, Flondine McWilliams, and Irene Garue; and fifteen children: Galen (Paulita), Glenn (Frances Bullshoe), Gina Shields (Joseph), Galena Drapeau, Hehaka Akicita Elk Soldier (Wasagya Mani Win), Galicia (Gregg Frederick), Gregory, (Hector Tamayo), Byron Goldtooth, Dallas Goldtooth (Sonja), Grace Goldtooth, Glenford, Georgina (Devon Pretty Boy), Garrett, Geoffrey, and Gabrielle. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a large hunka family.

Journey well relative, we will see you again when our time comes. Until then Toksa Ake…. We love you!