The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe sponsored a celebration for the 100th Birthday for tribal member Lillian Beane. A reception was held in her honor August 25th, 2011 at the Royal River Casino’s Royal Room. Lillian Moore Beane is the Tribe’s very own “centenarian.”
Lillian’s family invited relatives, friends, tribal community and Flandreau community to join them for a meal and fellowship. Lillian was deeply touched by the reception and said: “I didn’t know I had so many friends.” She was very happy seeing so many friends and relatives, gifts, flowers, decorations and remembered everyone’s name and thanked them personally.
 Cyndi Weddell, FSST Vice- President, welcomed everyone for coming to honor Lillian on her 100th Birthday. Sid Byrd gave the blessing in Dakota before the meal. Sid Beane, Lillian’s son, read the Proclamation for “Lillian Beane Day” sent by Governor Daugaard. Sid presented a gift to Lillian from his family, a blouse with a picture of the 1929-30 Flandreau Indian School basketball team. Her husband Sidney Beane, Sr. was on that team. Sid, Jr. said: “what do you give a 100 year old person that has everything and keeps all the memories of her years. So we decided to give her another memory, that of her husband and our father who played on the Flandreau Indian School basketball team.” Lillian added: “Yes, they were a great team.”
The FSST Executive Council presented a star quilt to Lillian that had in Dakota: “Anpetu  Tunpi Wast’e Duha Opawinge Lillian, “Happy Hundredth Birthday Lillian.” (interpreted and written by James B. Weston-Tribal Historic Preservation Officer). Members of the FSST Executive Committee presenting the quilt to Lillian were Cyndi Weddell, Major Redwing, Richard Allen, Marsha Schlueter and Leah Fyten.
Lillian’s children and grandchildren present were Linda and Fred Olson, William Beane, Sid & Becky Beane, grandchildren and great granddaughters: Carly and Jay Bad Heart Bull, Katy Beane and friend Hehan, Sidney Beane, Lisa Owen and husband Ray Owen and children Raeleigh, Mahpiya, Isabella, Amelia and relatives Michael and Rose Smith.
Congratulations Lillian on your 100th Birthday, a milestone for the Tribe and the Community!
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