Taken Alive: Johnson ‘beloved across Indian country’

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Ira Taken Alive of Rapid City, S.D. worked for the late South Dakota lawmaker Tim Johnson when Johnson served in the U.S. Senate. On Friday, Taken Alive had the opportunity to speak at Johnson’s funeral in Sioux Falls.

“I had the wonderful privilege and honor of providing a prayer in a Lakota language,” said Taken Alive, who is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. “Tim was beloved across Indian country, not just in South Dakota, but across the country.”

Beloved, he says, because Johnson was there for people.

“He showed up,” Taken Alive said. “He was genuine, and certainly he was humble, but he was consistent in showing up in Indian country.”

Taken Alive highlights not only Johnson’s work to fund education in Native American communities, but also a particular project.

“He was also a big proponent and supporter of water projects, not only at Standing Rock and various other reservations, but notably the Mni Wiconi project that provided water to Natives and non-Natives alike in southwestern South Dakota,” Taken Alive said.

Darrell Shoemaker of Rapid City attended the funeral as well; he also worked for Johnson when the former congressman and senator held office in Washington. For Shoemaker, the service recalled the journey he shared with Johnson.

“It was a lot of memories, having the opportunity to reflect back on a life well-lived, serving the entire state, all four corners of the state, reflecting on many hours that we spent in the car together, got to experience that dry wit from time to time,” Shoemaker said.

If viewers missed the special coverage from KELOLAND News of Johnson’s funeral Friday morning, the service can be viewed on keloland.com . There is also a special page dedicated to the late senator.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.