CHARON ASETOYER

Charon Virginia Asetoyer, 74, of Lake Andes died Friday, September 26th at the Sanford Select Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services were held at the White Swan Community Center in Lake Andes and performed by the Native American Church, Willard Bruguier, officiating.

Burial will take place the morning of Tuesday September 30th, at the Native American Church cemetery, east of Marty.

Flowers and condolence cards will be accepted on the family’s behalf at NACB Resource Center, 809 High Street, Lake Andes, SD 57356. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner was in charge of arrangements.

Charon Virginia Asetoyer (née Huber) “Gray Mountain” was born in San Jose, California and is a citizen of the Comanche Nation from the Penetekea band. Charon’s mother was Virginia Asetoyer and father was Charles Huber. She is the proud great-granddaughter of Theodore Asetoyer and Henoveba.

She chose to be laid to her eternal rest alongside her beloved husband and fellow activist, Clarence Rockboy, member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe (April 22, 1933 – Dec 2006) at the Native American Church Cemetery in rural Marty on the Yankton Sioux Reservation.

Charon is survived by her sons Chaske Rockboy (Lethrese McBride) and Reynolds James Bruguier of Lake Andes; her sister Charlotte Burton of California; nephews: Mike Burton, Mark Burton and Mitchell Burton of California; Chad Nielson; Barbara Torralba Hobson; Oklahoma cousins; and many grandchildren she held dear to her heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Virginia Asetoyer and Charles Huber, a sister Charlene Huber, and her faithful fur companion Buddy.

Charon earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Dakota and a double master’s degree from the School for International Training. Asetoyer is one of the founders of the Native American Community Board (NACB) founded April 4, 1986. Which includes the Native American Women’s Health Education Resource Center (NAWHERC) KDKO 89.5 FM, and a Women’s Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter.

This community development on a small reservation in South Dakota propelled Charon to national and international renown. President Clinton appointed her to the National Advisory Council for Health and Human Services (HHS). She has received many awards, including the Woman of Vision award by the Ms. Foundation, the United Nations Distinguished Services Award and the Ginetta Sagan Award from Amnesty International USA, the Gloria Steinem Woman of Vision Award from the Ms. Foundation for Women; the Jessie Bernard Wise Women Award from the Center for Women Policy Studies; and the Bread and Roses Award.

In her lifetime of advocacy, Charon published numerous articles on indigenous women’s health and reproductive justice and the `Charon Asetoyer Papers 1985-2008` are housed at Smith College. https:// findingaids.smith.edu/repositories/ 2/resources/914 Her work will be carried forward by the dedicated staff and board of the Native American Community Board.

As one friend said, “She will always be present with her quiet determination, unwavering compassion, ethical leadership quilts and feasts and hugs.” Charon Asetoyer was a fierce warrior and a loving mother.