Communal Medical Fund for Tiokasin Ghosthorse

Dear Community,

Our beloved elder, Tiokasin Ghosthorse, member of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation of South Dakota, has been facing severe medical challenges over the last 6 months and urgently needs our financial support. For those of you who know Tiokasin, he will need no introduction and I will share his current situation below. For those of you who are not as familiar with this incredible elder and his unending service to the earth and to humanity, please take a moment to skip to the bottom to read his bio so you might understand why our collective effort is needed and warranted at this time.

Last spring of 2024, Tiokasin inhaled Roundup (Glyphosate) during waking hours while the fans were running. He unknowingly inhaled this toxic spray which led him to have an acute lung episode, leaving him debilitated. This episode happened just one or two days after the spraying and activated some underlying comorbid conditions which have brought his life to a halt. Over the last months Tiokasin has been unable to breathe with ease, he struggles to stand and to walk, even to do basic things like button his shirt and put on socks. He is unable to work– except for when he is invited to do online talks and has the energy to do so. This barely pays for his rent. In addition to Tiokasin being unable to work, he is in need of several medical treatments which Medicare does not cover. At the moment he is receiving mediocre care from a Medicare doctor and cannot afford to get the treatments or afford the medicine, food, and housing that he needs to heal during this time.

We asked Tiokasin what amount of money would allow him to live and to receive the best care for his condition. Please help us in raising $75,000 for Tiokasin, so he can receive the medical treatment he urgently needs, pay for his rent, eat healthy food, and regain his strength.

The money raised will support him to receive the following treatments/care: Consultation with a Toxicologist, an endocrinologist, a nutritionist (with blood test monitoring), a pulmonologist, a physical therapist and to receive the recommended 30 sessions in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber (2-4 times a week). He is currently receiving acupuncture when he is able to afford it however this is not enough for him to return to a healthy baseline.

Please donate to and share our fundraiser. Tiokasin has served as an advisor, elder, teacher, community member, and friend to so many for so long. Every amount counts and is a way of giving back to someone who has given us so much. May the care, love, and kindness Tiokasin has spread throughout his life return to him 100 times over in this time of need.

If you have any questions please feel free to message us here. For those who wish to make a tax exempt deduction please let us know and we will do our best to connect you with a fiscal sponsor connected to Tiokasin.

With Care,

Carlin Quinn with Martin Winiecki, Alnoor Ladha and Lynn Murphy

For those of you who are curious to know more about Tiokasin and his contribution to our world:

TIOKASIN GHOSTHORSE is a member of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation of South Dakota, an author, teacher, accomplished musician with a long history with Indigenous activism and advocacy. Tiokasin is the founder, host and executive producer of “First Voices Radio” (formerly “First Voices Indigenous Radio”) for the last 31 years in New York City and Seattle/Olympia, Washington. In 2016, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the

International Institute of Peace Studies and Global Philosophy. Other recent recognitions include the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation National Fellowship in Music (2016), National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship Nominee (2017), Indigenous Music Award Nominee for Best Instrumental Album (2019), and National Native American Hall of Fame Nominee (2018, 2019). He also was recently nominated for “Nominee for the 2020 Americans for the Arts Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming

Communities”.

Tiokasin recently founded the Akantu Institute to “contextualize original wisdom for troubled times.” We recommend you to explore his writings and podcasts including his new book Earth Mind coming out late summer 2025. Tiokasin has served as an advisor, elder, teacher, community member, and friend to so many for so long. It is time for us to give back and allow him to feel held by the greater circle with care.