Adrienne Bruguier

Adrienne Bruguier, 72, of Eagle Butte, entered the spirit world Monday, August 31, 2020 at home with her family in Eagle Butte.

In compliance with the CRST Tribal Directives, a funeral service began at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at the CRST Bingo Hall, Eagle Butte, with Vernell Sitting Crow officiating. A procession formed at the 4-mile will be 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, with visitation until the start of services. Burial was held at 3:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, with Mother Margaret Watson presiding.

Adrienne was born December 14, 1947 at the Cheyenne Agency, SD to Owen and Elsie Slides Off.  She attended Cheyenne Eagle Butte School graduating in 1966. After graduation she went on the BIA Relocation Program to Pasadena, California. She returned in 1967 and had her daughter Denise. In 1969 she met her future husband Ivan Bruguier. They were married on April 26, 1970 and had Delma Dawn in October 1970.

They eventually moved to Spearfish and both enrolled at Black Hills State College. She took a break in the spring of 1976 and returned home to have her son Lee Michael. In the summer of 1982, she returned to Black Hills State University to finish her degree. In December 1983 she took in her brother’s son, Jared, when he was barely two weeks old and Adrienne and Ivan raised him.  She graduated in 1984 from Black Hills State University with her degree in Sociology. 

Adrienne worked at several places throughout the tribe and BIA but was best known as a homemaker who not only raised her own children but also helped raise many of her nieces and nephews over the years.  

Adrienne was able to be a voice for others, an exceptional advocate for her tiospaye, and was a force to be reckoned with.  Adrienne was a role model for her children and all her takojas. She was a well-spoken college graduate who used her education to be a voice in the community.  She was knowledgeable of tribal rights, laws, and government and would speak up as a voice of the Lakota people.

Adrienne was a fluent Lakota speaker and honored both her Lakota and Episcopal upbringing. She was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church and served as a lay reader. 

Adrienne and her husband Ivan both served for many years on the Sioux YMCA board of directors.  She was a strong advocate for the Lakota Oyate.

She truly enjoyed being with her family and friends. She had many good childhood friends who continued to keep her spirits up. She will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her. 

Adrienne is survived by her daughter, Denise Casillas, Eagle Butte; son, Lee Bruguier (Kim), Mitchell; son, Jared Slade (Raina), Green Grass; sister, Ione Betone (Paul), Eagle Butte; brother, Jack Slides Off, Thunder Butte, SD and many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by parents, Owen and Elsie Slides Off; siblings: Herman, Marie, Donald, Milford, Sidney, Delma, and Julie;  husband, Ivan Bruguier; and daughter, Delma (Bruguier) Sevier. 

 Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Adrienne’s arrangements.