Rev. Deacon Twilla R. Two Bulls

Pine Ridge Reservation, SD
twilight2bulls@gmail.com

I am an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe located on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. I also have Northern Cheyenne ancestry on my mother’s side. The Northern Cheyenne were allies with the Lakota peoples. I am daughter to Rev. Robert G Two Bulls and Delores Two Bulls Ten Fingers. I am an Oglala Lakota mother of two adult children, with one granddaughter. I was ordained Deacon three years ago with our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in attendance, a wonderful honor.

In the Late 1800s our ancestor’s last names were translated wrong; originally our name was Tatanka Nunpa, meaning Two Buffalos. Ten Fingers meant that our ancestor was a well-known crafter and could do anything with his hands.

For the past ten years, following the sudden death of my mother, I have lived with and cared for my father, The Rev Robert G Two Bulls. The day before my mother passed, she said, “make sure your daddy is happy,” and that is what I strive to do.

I live on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the poorest county in the USA. Life for those around me is always a struggle. I have been burying those who passed of Covid-19, a real heartbreaking time. I can speak from knowledge to what a terrible illness Covid-19 is. At present, I am in bed with Covid—good thing I am vaccinated and boostered!

Being a Native American woman, I have to experience racism when out shopping etc., sometimes a daily experience. I even got physically sick when I started a new job and had to experience racism. This shouldn’t have to happen in the 21st Century.

I am still attending Seminary online through Vancouver School of Theology and part of my duties as deacon is to help take care of two churches on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

I will close by saying my grandmother was always a religious person. She was always the one who said, “Here I am. Use me.” And I think that influence has made her grandchildren who they are today.

May the peace of Christ be with you!

I have learned from Deacon Twilla Two Bulls that she would like to be considered as a nominee for ECW’s Chairperson of the Social Justice Committee. Please allow this email to convey my heartiest recommendation for her nomination.

Deacon Twilla has a solid commitment to social justice, especially when it comes to the plights and challenges of the Native American community. The Pine Ridge reservation, where she and her family have lived and served God and God’s people for decades, is the poorest part of our country. There has been no shortage of people who have sought to take advantage of or to overlook the conditions of the Oglala Lakota — and what all these people have found in Deacon Twilla is a strong and passionate advocate.

I believe that she would serve ECW well in this position, and I appreciate your giving her name due consideration. May God bless you in your ministry!

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Jonathan H. Folts
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota