Friday December 12, 2008, 8:50 pm
HERE IS THE STORY:

By Rob Capriccioso

Story Published: Dec 12, 2008

Story Updated: Dec 12, 2008

WASHINGTON – Wizipan Garriott, 28, has been appointed First Americans Public Liaison, a newly created position in President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team. The position is aimed at honoring a nation-to-nation relationship with tribes.

Amy Brundage, a spokeswoman for the team, confirmed Garriott’s role Dec. 10.

Garriott, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, could not offer comment on the development, as members of Obama’s transition team have been instructed not to talk about their specific contributions.

Garriott’s position on the transition group brings the total number of Native Americans serving on it to seven. Indian Country Today previously reported that John Echohawk, Keith Harper, Robert Anderson, Mary Smith, Mary McNeil and Yvette Robideaux all hold positions on the team.

Garriott, whose first name means “burden” in Lakota, graduated from Yale University in 2003 with a degree in American studies. He then went on to work as an assistant to former Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., who has been a key player in the Obama campaign and was recently tapped to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

After Daschle lost his bid for re-election in 2004, Garriott attended the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in Tucson, and obtained a law degree there in June. In 2005, he also helped incorporate the He Sapa Leadership Academy, a college preparatory school on his reservation for students in grades eight to 12.

As Daschle became involved with Obama’s campaign, the longtime politician ultimately recommended Garriott to become a part of the effort.

Daschle’s recommendation was helpful, as Garriott ended up joining the Obama campaign for president as a Native American outreach coordinator in Sept. 2007. In June, he was officially hired as the campaign’s First Americans vote director. His chief objective was collaborating with tribes and Native groups, trying to get out the Native vote in many states, including New Mexico, Wisconsin, Montana and Michigan.

“For us, the campaign has always been about community empowerment,” Garriott told ICT in late-September.

“We’ve tried to put as many resources as possible into Indian communities so we can help our own people organize and empower themselves. That’s what this is all about.”

He also predicted in the interview that Indian participation in the election would help sway the vote in close swing states.

Garriott is the son of Elizabeth Little Elk, who works for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in the child and family services arena, and Charlie Garriott, a teacher at Todd County High School, located on the reservation in Mission, S.D.

While in college, Garriott served as a peer counselor to younger Native students. Amid controversy over whether there should be ethnic counselors and cultural houses at the institution, he made it be known that he felt such networks are beneficial, especially for reservation youth.

In a December 2002 issue of The Yale Herald, Garriott noted that the majority of reservation youth hail from economically depressed areas, which can make it especially difficult for Indian students to adjust to mainstream colleges, both academically and culturally.

At Yale, Garriott also worked as vice-president of Night Shield Entertainment, a music-focused company founded by one of his Native friends, Gabriel Night Shield. Garriott assisted with promotion and helped with efforts on distribution, talent evaluation and music selection.

Upon learning of Garriott’s new appointment, Night Shield said he and many other tribal members were “really proud of what Wizi has accomplished.”

“We were joking about it the other day – maybe in about 20 years we’ll be voting for Wizi as president,” said Night Shield, who attended high school at St. Francis Indian School with Garriott in South Dakota.

Friday December 12, 2008, 9:03 pm
Thank you Kat. He is cute too!

Friday December 12, 2008, 9:08 pm
Yes he is, Simone!

Friday December 12, 2008, 9:10 pm
This is a great news dearest Kat and he's very handsome too.
Thanks for sharing dear.
Much Love as always,
Black Dalia:)

Friday December 12, 2008, 9:11 pm
Thank you Kat.& Noted
He sure does have a nice smile!

Friday December 12, 2008, 9:13 pm
Yes, Ann and Dalia...he is a very attractive guy, for sure!

Friday December 12, 2008, 10:03 pm
finally some positive movement for Natives.. and yes he is a hottie... Hey by the way ... at facebook I am a member of a couple of native groups..anway, one Native American Actors Appreciation.. and some of the photos posted.. well what can I say.. hotties...

Friday December 12, 2008, 10:24 pm
Hey....Yeah....Nice eyes....Heh...Good luck to him.

Friday December 12, 2008, 10:43 pm
LOL!! Noted!! Yeah, girls he is a very nice looking young man! Thanks Kat..

Friday December 12, 2008, 10:49 pm
Native American actors....Hmmmm...Johnny Depp is part Cherokee...and that definately shows....when he's not doing one of those outrageous Tim Burton films, anyway....heh....and who was the guy who played that lovely Sioux warrior in Dances With Wolves...? Beautiful....Glad Native Americans are finally being given the credit,respect, and recognition they have always deserved.

Saturday December 13, 2008, 1:21 am
Noted. Thanks Kat.

Saturday December 13, 2008, 2:33 am
This is wonderful news. Thanks, Kat.

Rodney Grant, of the Omaha, was the actor who played the Lakota warrior Wind in his Hair.

Saturday December 13, 2008, 12:34 pm
Thank you for that,Pam....Absolutely beautiful....:::smiles:::

Saturday December 13, 2008, 2:33 pm
When I saw Obama 'cohorting' with Native Americans this past summer I was very proud and very happy.
We African-Americans know, very, very, well that these folks have been our family long before our blood mix with europeans, here in America.
This is very respectful of President-elect Obama. And I thank him so very much.
Another reminder that it is indeed a New Day despite the distractions and pure utter nonsense that we get side swiped with, usually cooked up by the inane media.They're next! We have to uproot them an plant some reality and wisdom for God's sakes!

Saturday December 13, 2008, 2:45 pm
Ummmmmm.Both the news and his smile warm my heart.

Saturday December 13, 2008, 4:21 pm
Truly, all over the world, Obama stands for hope, and 'Can Do' Perhaps us old hippies will now come out and join the Groundswell of Change that could save us and the other living beings on this planet.

Saturday December 13, 2008, 7:34 pm
Excellent....good to see these young talented faces emerging into the public arena to be representatives to their people and their nation.

Saturday December 13, 2008, 9:10 pm
Noted Great news Thanks Kat.

Saturday December 13, 2008, 9:50 pm
but as far as dances with wolves is concerned ~ graham greene stole the show!!! ~

Saturday December 13, 2008, 11:18 pm
Oh, absolutely,Catherine....as far as acting, definately...very believable,very natural, very funny....but then, ALL the native american actors in that film put Kevin Costner to shame....Getting off subject, though....Main thing, it's good to see that native americans are getting some recognition and respect....

Sunday December 14, 2008, 4:28 am
Ahhhh...Shumanitutanka ob wachi...one of my faveorite movies!

Monday December 15, 2008, 1:59 pm
This is excellent news. It's wonderful to see a Lakota man recognized for his excellence. He happens to be my wife's cousin as well, so I'm doubly pleased.

Monday December 15, 2008, 2:09 pm
This is great news for your family then, Alan! I think this is wonderful!