April 17, 2025
Gregory, South Dakota – The Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT), an intertribal organization representing the interests of the more than 50 tribes with reservations of 100,000 acres or more, encompassing more than 95% of the Indian Country lands and more than half the Native American population, announces an unimaginable loss—Tehjalyn “Makes Room for Them” White Pipe, 15, the daughter of COLT Secretary / Treasurer and Vice President of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Lisa White Pipe, passed away Sunday, April 13. She was a passenger in a car accident on the Rosebud Reservation and was airlifted to Sioux Falls, but was unable to be saved.
Secretary /Treasurer and Vice President, White Pipe’s only child, Tehja was a bright light in the world. She was smart, kind and interested in everything. She was always willing to lend a helping hand and even ran the technology for us at our COLT strategy meetings in Rapid City just a few weeks ago. She planned to be a writer and serve her Siċaŋġu Lakota people one day.
Services will be held on Tuesday, April 22 at 10:30 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, South Dakota. Burial will follow in the Hillview Cemetery, Dallas, South Dakota.
There will be a prayer service on Monday, April 21 at the church at 7 pm, with visitation from 5-7 pm. A wake service will beheld at Mary Vale Hall on Monday night starting at 8 pm.
COLT asks for your prayers for the White Pipe family at this difficult time.
CONTACT:COLT Executive Director OJ Semans – (605) 828-1422, tateota@hotmail.com