Marla Bull Bear

1996

Marla Bull Bear

Native American Advocacy Program

http://www.sdnaap.org

Winner, South Dakota, United States

Community Improvement & Economic Development, Education & Youth Leadership, Health

The Bold Idea:

Assist Native Americans with disabilities and Native American Youth by promoting a healthy lifestyle, providing prevention, education, training, advocacy, support, independent living skills, and referrals.

Biography:

Marla is a member of the Milks Camp Community of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota and is the founder and Executive Director of the Native American Advocacy Program (NAAP), the first of two Native American Centers for Independent living in the Nation. NAAP provides alcohol and drug prevention, supportive mental health counseling and independent living services to Native Americans on and off the nine tribal nations in South Dakota.

Marla received her Masters in Counseling from Sinte Gleska University (SGU), a tribal university located on the Rosebud Reservation. She is currently chairwoman of the Board of Regents for Sinte Gleska University.   In addition, Marla has served the state in various capacities including serving twelve years on the State Alcohol and Drug Advisory Council and Chairwoman of that council for five years ending her service in 2005 having last been appointed by Governor Janklow.

Her life experiences have included expanding her expertise to include massage therapy, Reiki, equine assisted therapy and Acudetox. Acudetox is an auricular acupuncture protocol for chemical dependency and stress management. Marla is a registered trainer for the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) and currently teaches the seventy hour certification course at Sinte Gleska University.

Marla and her husband recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. They have four children.