Key cultural figure of the Prairie Island Indian Community dies at age 60

RED WING, Minn. – One of the Prairie Island Indian Community’s most recognizable faces, Winfred Red Cloud, has died.

Red Cloud, recipient of the 2007 Amos Owen Award, died Friday at Rapid City (Iowa) Regional Hospital, according to the Rapid City Journal newspaper.

The 60-year-old served as Prairie Island’s cultural adviser, a member of the Prairie Island Singers Drum Group and was a driving force behind the creation of the Dakota Community Wellness Center.

“Everything he does is done to help others find their own path for growth,” friend Deb Gullickson said during a newspaper interview in 2007. “He recognizes all individuals and treats them as such and he does so with respect.”

The Red Wing (Minn.) Republican Eagle is owned by Forum Communications Co.

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