Jim E. Warne, M.S.
Native Advocate, Filmmaker and Educator, University of South Dakota Oyate` Circle and Warrior Society Development, LLC
“Mentoring is a wonderful way to influence future generations. To have an opportunity to mentor others is a result of unique life experience and sharing those experiences. I am fortunate to have great mentors in my life starting with family. Regardless of our circumstances, we all must leave good footprints… wheel prints… cane prints… whatever prints you may leave… we can impact several generations of people. Indigenous knowledge indicates we must represent our people in a good way seven generations behind and seven generations ahead. We all can collectively make a significant difference for future generations. Pilamaya…”
We are proud to induct Jim E. Warne into the Susan Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame.
Jim is a member of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Nation. His mom, Beverly, grew up on Pine Ridge Reservation and is Director of Native American Nursing Education Center at South Dakota State University College of Nursing and his dad, Jim Sr., worked in international business finance and lived with multiple sclerosis for 37 years. His brother, Don Warne, MD, is Chair of Indians Into Medicine (INMED) at University of North Dakota. Jim’s wife, Jill, is from the Hoopa Tribe in California and he has a son, Ryan. Jim earned a BS from Arizona State University and MS and Post-Graduate Certificate from San Diego State University (SDSU). Jim successfully wrote over 40 million in grants for various Universities and Tribal Nations.
Jim created and administered continuing Education programs at SDSU Interwork Institute from 1993-2015. He created the Circle for American Indian Rehabilitation and Education (CAIRE) sub-center and the Post Employment Training American Indian Rehabilitation (PET-AIR) certificate programs where Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation counselors earned certificates and several transferred into MS degrees.
Currently, Jim is the Community Engagement Director at University of South Dakota (USD) Center for Disabilities, Oyate` Circle at Sanford School of Medicine. Jim is also an Instructor for USD Pediatrics. Oyate` Circle is under the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disability (UCEDD) for South Dakota. Jim wrote several grants to create the Oyate` Circle that include partnerships with various state/federal agencies, universities and organizations.
Jim is President of Warrior Society Development, LLC. He consults for various government agencies, organizations and Tribal Nations. Jim is contracted with University of Arizona College of Medicine, Sonoran Center (AZ UCEDD) to create Native Disability programs. Jim is a Motivational Speaker, Native Advocate and has experience including Congressional Testimonies, Cultural Diversity, Workforce Inclusion, Film Production, Actor, Stuntman, Professional Football, Youth Athletic/Life Skill Camps, Grant & Organizational Development including Higher Education Administration. His WSD Productions Film Division produced “7th Generation” an Award-Winning Documentary Jim produced and wrote. His short film, “Oyate` un Ito`wapi – Pictures of my People” was featured on FOX NFL Pregame Show and FOX Network, “Voices”. He was the featured guest on “History Now”, Northern Visions Television (NVTV) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2021.
Memberships and Honors:
Tempe All-City Hall of Fame, Member Tempe, Arizona. Inducted March 25, 2019
2017 Native American Alumnus of the Year Arizona State University Native Am. Alumni
Congressional Senate Oversight Hearing Testimony, Washington DC. May 5, 2011
Chairman’s Leadership Award, National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), 2009
American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, Member; Lawrence, KS. Inducted 2004
UCSD Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board: http://chancellor.ucsd.edu/community/ccab
Huddle Up for Kids Foundation Board of Directors Management Team, Pittsburg, PA
C-Span Featured Speaker “American Indian Stereotypes in Sports”, Phoenix, AZ Jan 30, 2015
Filmmaker – Producer “7th Generation” A Documentary Film. Twenty Awards & Honors from film festivals in ten countries. View on xfinity stream, IMDb and Amazon Prime.
Filmmaker – Producer “Oyate` un Ito`wapi – Pictures of my People” Featured on FOX NFL Social Justice Series, Thanksgiving Day (2020) and FOX Network “Voices” Special Martin Luther King Day (2021)