RIP Arlene Goings-Means

PINE RIDGE - Arlene "Choach" Leata Goings-Means began her journey to the Spirit World April 30, 2012, at her home in Pine Ridge.

Arlene was a very hard worker throughout her life. She attended Black Hills State College and earned a Bachelor's degree in Education. After graduating, from BHSC, she moved back to Pine Ridge to become an Elementary Teacher at P.R.E.S. She taught first and third grade students and enjoyed her students very much. Arlene was also an active AIM member and took part in the Wounded Knee Occupation. Arlene loved her Lakota people and did all she could to help her people when they were in need. She was also an attorney at the Oglala Lakota Court System in Pine Ridge - again she was the voice for her people and won many of her cases. Arlene was also an actress, she took part in several movies such as Dances with Wolves with Kevin Costner (she played the part of an extra in this movie). Arlene also played parts in other movies such as Son of the Morning Star, Skin's, Lakota Woman and was the extra coordinator of the movie Dream Keeper. Arlene also worked for many local tribal businesses such as the Tero Program, C.H.R. Program, tribal attorney and prosecutor's office, and she also worked for the attorney general's office.

Survivors include daughters, Annette Irving-Wilson, Rebecca Runs Above and Bonita Black Elk, all of Pine Ridge; sons, Garnette Titus of Tulsa, OK, and Ronald Jason Titus of Sioux Falls; adopted son, Earl Janis Jr. of Denver; adopted daughter, Irene Bedard of California; grandchildren, Misty D. Titus of Denver, Douglas Brown of Pine Ridge, Garnette Titus Jr., Jasena Titus (deceased), Dillon and Dallas Titus, all of Tulsa, Arlene, Valence, Atlanta, and Richmond (deceased) Bagola, Wiconi, Summer, Whipper and Caidence Runs Above, all of Pine Ridge; great-grandchildren, Cante Waste Win Waters and Zephia Bagola, both of Pine Ridge, and Benjamin Gerald Titus of Green Bay, WI.

Two-night wake services begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at Billy Mills Hall.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, May 7, at Billy Mills Hall, with the Rev. Rhoda Mesteth officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Episcopal Cemetery.

Sioux Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

GOINGS-MEANS, Arlene (Arlene Leata Goings-Means)

Born: 1952, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, U.S.A.

Died: 4/30/2012, Pine Ridge, South Dakota, U.S.A.

Arlene Goings-Means westerns – actor, coordinator, production assistant

Son of the Morning Star- 1991 (squaw)

Lakota Woman – 1994 (TV) (squaw)

Dances With Wolves – 1996 (squaw)

Crazy Horse (TV) – 1996 [production assistant]

DreamKeeper (TV) – 2003 [coordinator]