The Rural Community Conference is pleased to introduce our 2010 Keynote Speaker. Joseph Marshall III, author of The Power of Four: Leadership Lessons of Crazy Horse, will be speaking on Wednesday afternoon, September 1, 2010 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

Joseph Marshall III was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Because he was raised in a traditional native household by his maternal grandparents, his first language is Lakota. In that environment he also learned the ancient tradition of oral storytelling.

Joseph taught at the high school and university levels, and developed curriculum as well. Now he writes full time, having published fourteen (14) nonfiction and fiction works, with seven (7) of the titles in audiobook format. He is published in China, Taiwan, Korea, Bulgaria, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Israel, and soon, Germany. The Lakota Way calendar is in its sixth season.

Joseph says, “Stories as far as I'm concerned, are the best way for people to get to know about each other. The name Thunder Dreamers is taken from my book The Journey of Crazy Horse, and not because I have any special power. Far from it. But just as Crazy Horse and other Thunder Dreamers were given a power by the Thunder Beings, I believe there is a power that comes from knowledge, which comes from experience - living life - and stories. The more honest stories we know about one another the more realistic awareness we gain. The more awareness we have the more likely we are to think of and judge one another fairly. Then we are more likely to greet one another with an open hand and an open heart, rather than a closed fist and a closed mind. Then we can honestly say Cante wasteya nape ciyuzapelo, I take your hand in friendship.”

Joseph is the recipient of the Audie Award Best Inspirational for the Lakota Way. His Lakota Western Series has won both the Benjamin Franklin silver and the gold President's award. His recent work, To You We Shall Return, is just released by Sterling, NYC.

Currently associated with Tigrett Corp. of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania as a lecturer in leadership seminars, Joseph has developed a leadership seminar based on the leadership lessons of Crazy Horse.

Joseph and his wife Connie (also his literary agent and manager) are the parents of a blended family of nine, and have ten grandchildren.

We are so pleased to have Joseph join us at our conference this year! To learn more about Joseph and his work, please visit www.thunderdreamers.com.