Building a Strong Community with Bruce Bad Moccasin

Bruce Bad Moccasin’s 30-year career dedicated to building a stronger tomorrow started with building roads in 1977. His leadership within the Indian Health Service (IHS) as an engineer, and eventually as Area Director of the Aberdeen Office, allowed him to effectively bring many changes to funding processes for projects important to improving the lives of Native Americans living on reservations. The initiatives taken by Bad Moccasin paved the way for connecting tribal leaders and tribal health boards to IHS leadership and Congress. 

Bruce joined South Dakota Hall of Fame (SDHoF) Board Director Marci Burdick to discuss his life, career, and the lessons that have guided him to become a strong community builder in South Dakota. Bruce was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2023 for the impact he has had on the state, and this conversation highlights the ways Bruce has championed a culture of excellence across the state. 

In this episode, you will hear about:

• Bruce’s childhood and educational journey
• The impact Bruce has had on Native communities in South Dakota
• Bruce’s humble life lessons for the youth across the state

“Think about what you want now, don’t wait. And think about the hope that’s in what you want to do.” – Bruce Bad Moccasin 

To learn more about Bruce Bad Moccasin, you can visit his legacy page here.

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