RAPID CITY – On Friday, June 25, the Medary Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Brookings presented celebrated South Dakota author Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve with both the Women in the Arts Recognition Award and the Women in American History Honor. 

The awards were presented by Cathy Moklebust, DAR Medary Chapter American Heritage committee chairperson, and Robin Dell Fansler, South Dakota DAR state regent.

The Women in the Arts Recognition Award recognizes and honors a state or chapter woman for outstanding achievements in the non-performance arts including fiber arts design and creation, fine arts, sculpture design and creation, music composition, literature and drama authorship, and artisan design and creation. The recipient is expected to have contributed to her artistic field in an outstanding manner beyond mastery of technique.

The Women in American History Honor is to recognize the role of women, past and present, in American history who have made exceptional contributions or a significant difference in their communities. The DAR looks for women who are intellectual, educational, social, religious, political, scientific, or cultural innovators.

Through her writing of books for children and adults, Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve has worked to not only educate, but to dispel the common stereotypes of Native Americans, and to document their proud histories, often drawing from her ancestors’ own experiences on the reservations.

As Paul Higbee, former writer, teacher, and South Dakota Arts Council board member, said, “Her stories keep American Indian heritage alive and relevant. More than any author I know, Virginia makes certain her readers understand that Native cultures aren’t always isolated or swallowed up by other cultures. Her books ‘Grandpa was a Cowboy and an Indian’ and ‘The Trickster and the Troll,’ combining Lakota and Norse myths, are examples.” 

Barry Dunn, president of South Dakota State University, said, “Through her historical and children’s literature, Virginia has been a tireless advocate of Native American culture and heritage. Virginia’s writing adds a vital voice to literature’s mission to bridge cultures, to expand multi-cultural understanding, and to grow and persevere in appreciation of diverse identities.”

Sneve is the recipient of many awards, including Distinguished Alumnus, South Dakota State University; National Woman of Achievement; Honorary Doctorate of Letters, Dakota Wesleyan University; Distinguished Contribution to South Dakota History by the Dakota History Conference; two Native American Prose Awards from the University of Nebraska Press; South Dakota Education Association Human Services Award; Spirit of Crazy Horse Award; and The National Humanities Medal, presented by former President Bill Clinton. 

Sneve is the first South Dakotan to receive the National Humanities Medal.