Obituary for Peter Catches “Zintkala Oyate”
JUNE 16, 1955 – JUNE 8, 2018
Peter Vitas Catches “Zintkala Oyate” was born on June 16, 1955 at home in the Calico Community, near Pine Ridge, SD to Peter S. Catches and Amelia (Ribsman) Catches. Peter Vitus Catches (Zintkala Oyate) took his flight to the Land of the Winds at 7:40 pm on June 8, 2018, at his home on Tobacco Road, Calico Community, outside of Pine Ridge, SD, at the place of his birth.
Zintkala Oyate was beloved by people all over the world for all that he did to preserve the Lakota culture and language during his lifetime. He put on and conducted the Spotted Eagle Sundance for forty-four consecutive years, as well as conducting Sundances at Cheyenne River Reservation, Rosebud Reservation, Standing Rock Reservation and Lower Sioux Reservation— totaling over 50 Sundances. He authored six Lakota Language books and CDs. He created a CD for young people to understand the timeless symbolism of the Seven Sacred Rites given to the Lakota. He co-authored a book with his father ‘Sacred Fireplace’ and authored ‘Realities Within.’ Peter was the co-founder of Oceti Wakan (Sacred Fireplace) a non-profit organization with his father. He developed a Wellness Center for young people and helped develop a seven-year (second to eighth grade) curriculum Wellness Program based on Lakota culture to give life skills and a strong Lakota identity to our young people so that they could make healthy choices to have the life that was intended as wakanjeya (sacred beings). As a 38th generation medicine man, Peter was the Keeper of the Spotted Eagle ways and medicine. He touched hundreds of lives with healing and growth in their spiritual journey.
Peter is survived by his loving wife, Cindy Catches of Pine Ridge, SD; daughters, Alice Two Bulls of Pine Ridge, SD and Faith Holmes of Washington, D.C.; son, Dov Homes, Jupiter, FL; siblings, Patricia Catches of Pine Ridge, SD, Cynthia W. Catches and Kenneth Catches, both of Calico Community, Pine Ridge, SD; Peta Catches, #4 Community and grandchildren, Maza Steele, Michael Rooks, Luta Rooks and Felicity Rooks.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Amelia (Ribsman) Catches; and siblings, Christine Catches, Myrna Catches, Rayfield Catches and Paul Catches. Pallbearers will be: Justice Scott, Sheldon Ribsman, Jeff Catches, Peta Catches, Muza Steel, Dietre Catches, Paul Catches Jr., Alfred Catches, Moses Catches, Alex Morgan Sr., Alex Morgan Jr., Gideon Tobacco, Chase Long, CJ Long, Casey Weston, Zavier Long Jr., Leroy Iron Cloud, Mike Amshamble, and Dov Holmes.
Wake Services were held at his home at 789 Tobacco Road, Calico Community, Pine Ridge, SD, on Tuesday and Wednesday nights (June 12 and 13). Funeral Services were held at the Catches Family Cemetery, Calico Community, near Pine Ridge, SD after the final viewing at his home on Thursday, June 14. Traditional Lakota Services were led by Mike Catches the Enemy. Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD
