Lee Taylor, Yankton Sioux

 

Lee Taylor has been involved with the Keepers since 1996 and also has served as tribal chair of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe. Lee is a fourth generation pipe carver and the grandson of Joseph C. Taylor, a Mdewakataton Sioux Indian who was one of the only American Indians carving pipes around the turn of the century.  This was during a time when most Indians movements were restricted and Indian leaving the reservations had to get a competency slip from the federal government to move around and handle their own affairs. Around that time there was a white-run factory near the quarries making pipes and keeping our people away. The area around the pipestone quarries was made into a park to get rid of the area of squatters and protect it from exploitation. Lee's grandfather, Indian Joe, as he was known, was part of making this happen. If you visit the Pipestone National Monument, you will see his quarry marked with his name, Indian Joe. This pit continues to be quarried by the family and today it is still quarried by Lee Taylor.

 

Today Lee is retired and lives near Flandreau Reservation in South Dakota. Even after his heart surgery he continues to keep these sacred traditions alive. Lee is a talented quarrier and carver who is always willing to share a good Indian joke or lend a helping hand to others.  During the summer you may find him quarrying stone in his pit or helping a brother or sister quarry in theirs.