“…What is life? It is the flash
of a firefly in the night. It is the breathe of a buffalo
in the winter time. It is the little shadow that runs across
the grass and loses itself in the sunset…Last night
I saw the sunset for the last time, I saw the sunlight rest
upon the tree tops and I saw the land and the water that
I am never to look upon again.”
Mitakuye Oyasin
In Loving Memory
Cora (Wounded) Red Hair was born on August 6, 1932 to William
& Cora (Owns The Fire) Wounded. She entered this world
at Pine Creek located in the #4 Payaba Community on the
Wounded Family land. She was the 4th born of 5 children
to one of the most well-respected Lakota Yuwipi Wakan Wicasa.
Among other spiritual people, the Wounded family is high
regarded. Willie Wounded was known to doctor many people
through his prayers and he passed his deep spirituality
onto Cora.
During her lifetime, her paths lead her on many trails.
She attended the #4 Day School then attended the Holy Rosary
School. Cora shared many stories of home in the country.
One of her fond memories was of how she took care of her
little sister Victoria, along with tending to the family
cattle & ranch along side her Father. She was a true
cowgirl.
Later in life, she moved to Igloo, SD to work. There she
learned to make bombs and shells. This was during the war
time. As she told her nephew Connie, “…wan eya,
I made bombs and shells for the boys,” and gave a
hearty laugh! She would also send money home to her Father
to help with expenses. After saving enough money, she returned
home and bought her Father a car.
After the death of her Father, she moved to Rosebud to live
with her Aunt Julie Blue Thunder. Returning back home, she
met Bob Poor Bear & lived in Faith for about 5 years.
Once again, she broke camp and moved to Hemingford, NE for
work, and then back to Calico Community until the death
of her husband Bob. Cora also worked at the Holstein Packing
Plant in Rushville, NE and the Holy Rosary Quonset for a
number of years.
Cora met and married Leo Red Hair on July 3, 1980. To this
union they were blessed with 17 laughter-filled years together.
Sadly, Leo passed away in November, 1997.
Never having any children, she had the pleasure of raising
a niece, Candy Wounded Red Cloud of whom she shared many
good stories of their lives together. She also raised Opi
Wounded in his brief life. Another nephew became very dear
to her as she got older and her health slowed her a bit.
She spent countless hours telling stories & cruising
many miles with her nephew Connie Weasel Bear.
And she always looked forward to storytelling
and late night movies with two young brothers, Justin &
Evan Baker, from Colorado, who affectionately called her
“Auntie”. She treasured her trips to Albuquerque
with her hunka son John Jewett.
Cora’s poor health forced her to move into Pine Ridge
in 2002. All of her tiospaye rallied around her. Her nephew
Elton Hand and friend Jessie Randall moved in with her to
care for her in her last weeks at home. When her health
declined, she decided to go to the Bennett Co. Nursing Home
in Martin, SD. She said that she felt at home there, as
the nurses spoke Lakota and there were other Lakota residents
to share stories with.
On January 29th, the Doctor called for her
relatives to come, as Cora’s body had grown tired.
Her Granddaughters rushed to be at her bedside. Cora traveled
home peacefully at 4:13 p.m.
She was a strong supporter of Lakota ceremonies and faithfully
prayed with her cannupa. Cora had planned a wopila for this
coming Sundance. She relied on two nephews, Floyd Hand &
Basil Brave Heart, for spiritual guidance and instructed
them to pray for her on her journey Home.
We could fill many pages with Auntie’s
stories. Her warm smile and hearty laugh will be dearly
missed by all who came in contact with her. Her famous line,
“Oh goodie!” will always be with us.
Cora is survived by her Sister Victoria (Wounded)
Whiteman of Lame Deer, MT; Brother-cousin Thomas Wounded
of Pine Ridge, SD and Hunka Son John Jewett of Ames, IA.
Cora is preceded in death by her Parents William & Cora
(Owns The Fire) Wounded; Brother Morris Wounded; Sisters
Irene & Zona Wounded.
To view pictures of Cora please CLICK
HERE to go to our picture gallery
