Sissy Goodhouse

Over the years the talents of Sissy Goodhouse have graced many recordings including Spirit of Song, the Time Life Series' The Wild West and Kevin Locke's Keepers of the Dream. A frequent speaker on spirituality, Lakota culture and family, Goodhouse has been a presenter at the National Native American Indian Women's Conference, the North Dakota Humanities Council, Standing Rock College, Lakota Women's Honoring Day and many powwows. She was born on the Standing Rock Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota and has spent her life close to her land and people. Always encouraged by relatives and friends, Goodhouse loves to sing. This led to her first solo recording, The Third Circle, in which she explains her place at the drum. "The drum is a casing that captures spirit and natural energy. It creates the heartbeat of our people. Around this heartbeat there are four circles. The third circle is the Wicaglata, or women singers. We women have our own circle, not only around the drum, but in life too. From the bringing of the pipe to the bringing forth of new life, we have special places that ensure the continuing of our culture and of us as a people. Lakota culture has depended on the strength of women since the beginning of time. Women display this at the drum. We add strength to the music, sometimes carrying or holding the song just a little longer." Her follow up recording, Tiwahé, is named for the Lakota word meaning family. This recording expresses the Lakota way of keeping traditions and teaching the next generation. Goodhouse holds a Bachelor of Science degree and works with the Comprehensive Chemical Prevention Program in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Sissy, her husband Cedric and their children travel extensively promoting a drug free lifestyle and further understanding of Lakota culture. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.