ISM Presents: Mato Topa - Dr. Robert A. Ryan: "Lakota Creation Story: An Oral Tradition"

Dr. Ryan will take us on a journey into Lakota Creation Stories and indigenous wisdom. 

"It is said by my people, “We have always been Here”. We came from the place called today

Wind Cave in the sacred He Sapa (Black Hills) of what is now known as South Dakota.

Inyan was the source of the creation for the spirits and people all come from Inyan(rock).

This is how it was for the Lakota people to come to be on Maka(earth). Some of those spirts

are Anpo, Skan, Wi, Maka and Tate and many others to know."

Dr. Robert A. (Bob) Ryan has a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of South Dakota-Vermillion. He is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and was given the name Mato Topa (Four Bear) in a tribal naming ceremony. Dr. Ryan is also a Lakota traditional dancer, and was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2005. Dr. Ryan has worked in adolescent and adult outpatient and residential chemical dependency (alcohol and other drugs) treatment programs 1983-2009. He has fourteen years of experience in adolescent residential treatment programs. He is licensed and certified in the mental health and addiction counseling areas. Dr. Ryan was a master addiction counselor, licensed professional counselor, certified chemical dependency counselor, licensed clinical mental health counselor and certified alcohol and drug counselor. He is partially retired, teaches Native American Psychology classes (Thought, Values and Healing) at Portland State University 2004-Present, and at Willamette University PNCA 2021-present (Native American Cultural Practices and Naïve American Philosophy).