Tatanka Mani Camp (TMC) was founded in 2000 by Gilbert Walking Bull, Diane Marie, and Marilynn Bradley to bring the beliefs and philosophies of the Lakota way of life to the attention of the public. It is a community based on the values and practices of a people who, since the beginning of time, have had a deep respect for the earth, each other, and the forces of creation.

TMC staff offer programs on the fundamental values of the Lakota culture in an atmosphere modeled after Gilbert's experiences growing up on the Pine Ridge Reservation. It is his vision that through these teachings people of all races can come together "to turn bad things into good."

TMC is located near Hot Springs, South Dakota, and is surrounded by the southern Black Hills (known as Paha Sapa to the Lakota) - land that is considered very sacred to the Lakota people. This is where they traveled to conduct ceremonies, collect sacred herbs, and gather lodge poles for their tipis. The Black Hills derive their name from the dark green foliage of the ponderosa pines that cover the hills. When seen from a distance the hills appear black. The landscape of TMC's 64 acres alternates between ponderosa forest and the gentle rolling meadows of the plains. The residents are visited frequently by black tail deer, cottontail rabbit, wild turkey and grouse. The coyotes and birds serenade night and day, and the plant life is rich with natural herbs used by the Tatanka Mani community for their medicinal properties.

Gilbert Walking Bull was raised by his paternal grandparents in Wanblee, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation. He was raised in the old ways of the Lakota and was strong in the traditions of his people. He was kept out of government schools and had little exposure to American Culture, or even the English language, until 1946, when he was 16 years old.

He was the son of Charles Walking Bull (Rosebud Reservation) and Edna Weasel (Pine Ridge Reservation). His paternal grandfather was the Sacred Man, James Move Camp, and his maternal grandfather was Henry Weasel. Some of his relatives include Big Ribs, Blue Cloud, Bear Heels, Running Woman, Bear Killed Her, Iron Antelope, Spirit Woman, Red Breath Bear, and Fox Warrior.

Gilbert worked to connect people with the Lakota culture through the language, songs and ceremonies for most of his life. During the past 3 decades he had taken his traditional teachings to communities, universities, and organizations throughout the United States.

Gilbert Walking Bull peacefully returned to the Spirit World on April 7, 2007. We will miss his laughter and teachings and will honor his life every day of our own.

The TMC staff is dedicated to preserving the teachings and vision of their mentor and friend, Gilbert Walking Bull.

Marilynn Bradley provides the care-giving and practical support that makes Tatanka Mani Camp outreach projects possible. She has 30 years of teaching and service experience in nutrition and food cultivation, preservation and preparation. She is presently studying native plants and how to prepare medicines. Marilynn volunteered full-time with The New Road Map Foundation for 14 years, serving as office administrator and volunteer coordinator. Marilynn is co-owner of TMC facilities.

Tom Tonkin is in charge of the cultural curriculum, TMC public relations, and most of the teaching that happens both on-site and around the country. He was Gilbert's apprentice for 8 years before moving briefly to Wisconsin, where he assisted with Tracks and Trees Learning Center as a Wilderness Skills Instructor. Tom brings to TMC a long history of learning from traditional elders, from the New Jersey coast to Washington State. Tom and his wife, Kari, co-own the Tatanka Mani Camp business.

Kari Tonkin is the office manager, and deals with the technical side of TMC, as well as heading up programs for youth, homeschoolers, and families. She has an education degree and over 13 years of experience teaching a variety of topics, from music to wilderness skills. She worked with Tracks and Trees Learning Center in Wisconsin as the Youth Programs Coordinator for 7 years before coming "home" to Tatanka Mani Camp in August of 2008. She and Tom and son, Calvin, are looking forward to building their dream home on land attached to TMC in the summer of 2009.

Scott M. Martin is one of TMC's program developers, caretaker, maintenance supervisor, and fire tender. At the age of eight, he started to wander his Uncle's farm in Augusta, NJ. From that time on, he grew a strong connection with nature and all of Creation, which he has carried with him throughout his life and is the foundation of his spiritual path. He has over 15 years of experience studying with Elders and wilderness school leaders around the country. Scott and fiancee, Melissa, with their family, are currently living in the main house and are co-owners of TMC facilities. They have also started The Caretakers Learning Center to bridge the physical skills Scott has learned from Tom Brown, Jr. and Jon Young, along with the spiritual skills he learned from "Uncle" Gilbert at Tatanka Mani Camp.

Melissa Polson, soon to be Melissa Martin, is a mother three children, girls Aeriauna and Shayna, and TMC's newest member, son Sayer, who was born in November 2008. She is one of TMC's program developers, office specialist, and hostess. Melissa is a teacher of nature-based home schooling, women's ways, and organic lifestyles. She also studies wild edible and medicinal plants, and has been studying and practicing cranial-sacral therapy for several years.

Sally Moore is a part-time volunteer at Tatanka Mani where she manages the inventory and distribution of training materials and works on some of the camp's special projects.  She met Gilbert in 1999 and moved to South Dakota in 2004.  She was a resident at TMC until the end of 2007 when she found her own homestead near the camp. One of the projects she worked on with Gilbert, the children’s book Rocks Not Happy In Sacks, was published in May 2008. It is available through this website.

Kyle Portell moved to TMC in July 2008 and assists with caretaking, maintenance, and program development. He grew up around his Uncle Gilbert’s teachings, which has been one of the biggest inspirations in his pursuit of knowledge. A passionate student of anthropology, Kyle has traveled across the country and as far as Egypt, studying ancient cultures and the tribes of the Americas. As an artist, writer, animal behaviorist, and pilot, Kyle brings a wide variety of skills to TMC and is happy to be a part of carrying on his Uncle’s teachings.

Will Peters is a teacher at Pine Ridge High School, a singer, songwriter, musician, and craftsman. He currently has a CD entitled Reservation Nights, and continually teaches workshops on the culture, traditions, and history of his Lakota people.

Lena Peters is a teacher of traditional women’s ways on the Red Road, as well as a teacher of traditional art classes in the elementary level. She designs and sews beautiful star quilts and bags, and creates stunning jewelry.

In addition to those living at or near Tatanka Mani, Gilbert has helped develop several Inipi communities around the country. To find a group near you, please visit our Links page.