Sheldon James Brings Plenty-Raymore, 45, of LaPlant, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025, at UC Health University, Aurora, CO.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, March 1, 2025, at CRST Bingo Hall, Eagle Butte. Wake services will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 28, 2025, at the bingo hall, with a procession from the 4-mile at 4:00 p.m.

Sheldon James Brings Plenty-Raymore was born to Cynthia Brings Plenty and Michael G. Raymore in Freemont, CA, on November 17, 1979. Sheldon has two brothers and one sister: Trevino Brings Plenty, Portland, OR; Michael Free, Vancouver, WA; Danielle Brings Plenty-Traversie; Togole Raymore, La Plant, SD.

Sheldon graduated high school in Eagle Butte, SD, in 1997. He received a Fashion Design Certification at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2002. After high school, Sheldon worked and lived in Portland, OR; Las Vegas, NV; Dallas, TX; Lynn, MA; Philadelphia, PA; New York City, NY; Eagle Butte, SD; Hardin, MT.

Sheldon was an artist, designer, performer, educator, and activist, small business owner. He had two companies Urban Indian, LLC and Heyoka Co. He worked for Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, and Angelo Galasso. 

Sheldon was a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ and Two-spirit rights, focusing on decolonizing sexuality and promoting inclusivity within Indigenous traditions. He was actively involved in HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, seeking to reduce stigma and increase education in Indigenous communities. His work was featured on various platforms, including the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the American Indian Community House in New York. He collaborated with organizations such as the National Native HIV Network and the Indigenous Peoples Task Force to create educational initiatives that addressed health disparities among Native populations. Sheldon served as the Deputy Director of the American Indian Community House (AICH) and the Health Elders Network (HEN), working on initiatives that supported Indigenous health and well-being.

As a multidisciplinary artist, Sheldon performed and exhibited at renowned institutions such as the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His traditional Lakota Grass Dancing was a central aspect of his artistic expression, helping to preserve and promote Native culture. He also participated in the Largest Two-Spirit Powwow, highlighting Two-Spirit identity and issues through performance and storytelling. His art and dance performances often incorporated elements of Indigenous futurism, blending traditional knowledge with contemporary themes.

Sheldon collaborated with Grammy-nominated artist Jana Mashonee under his brand Urban Indian as the costume designer.

Sheldon finished touring with Heather Henson’s “Ajijaak on Turtle Island” theatre production (2015-2018).  Captivating and moving, Sheldon also starred in ABC’s Born to Explore,  “Legend of Dance” with Richard Weiss, where he was the featured grass dancer at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. Sheldon was also a Fancy dance & grass dance staple when he performed with the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers at the Theatre for the New City in Manhattan’s Lower East Side in February 2016. The Lakota Artist has been inspiring young traditional Native American dancers for more than 25 years, making him one of the most sought-after grass dancers in New York. Sheldon’s brilliant technique and spellbinding execution prompted New York’s Eagle Project to recruit the visionary to work his magic and Co-choreograph Eagle Project’s 2015 off-Broadway production of “Trail of Tears”, at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Bringing audiences, Native and Non-Native, to their feet every evening with tears in their eyes. The Sioux performer was also awarded the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Community Arts Fund “2015 Performance Art” Grant. Ever the consummate keeper of tradition, he continues to cultivate his artistry with the utmost integrity, humility, and authenticity, letting the love for his culture shine through in all he does.

Sheldon left behind a powerful legacy for Indigenous, Two-Spirit, and LGBTQ+ communities. Through his work in the arts, activism, and education, he contributed to the preservation of Native culture while advocating for social justice and equality. His efforts in HIV prevention, decolonization of sexuality, and Indigenous representation remain significant contributions to both Native and global LGBTQ+ movements. In his later years, he expanded his advocacy through digital media, using social platforms to educate and inspire the next generation of Two-Spirit leaders. His impact continues to be felt by those who knew him and by the many who were inspired by his life’s work.

Sheldon is survived by his mother, Cynthia Brings Plenty; siblings: Trevino Brings Plenty, Danielle Brings Plenty-Traversie, Togole Raymore, and Michael Free Raymore; grandmothers: Delema Butcher, Barbara Roach, Darlene Rosas, Edith Larrabee/Banged In Eye, Arlene Demery, Katherine Keith, Della Brings Plenty; grandfathers: Howard Raymore, Envels Brings Plenty, Sylvester Waloke; cousins: Adam and Elijah Hill, Kim and Shannon Hawk Eagle, Rosa Rodriguez, Christopher and Jennifer Ramirez, Dylan and Carl Brings Plenty, Katherina Amy Brings Plenty, Julie Beth Randall, Russell Jr., Sarah Zephyer, Jessica Brittenham, Susan, Amy, Chris, and Valeria Flying By, Andrew Swift Cloud, Sophia and Julia Mathison, Lucia Baca, Lorraine Reynolds, and Jose and Sage Mathison; aunts/uncles: Sharon and Maxine Brings Plenty, Carolyn Ramirez, Faron, Steve, and Troy Brings Plenty, Nelson Webb Jr., Phyllis and Susan Raymore, and Glenn Raymore.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Michael Raymore; grandmothers: Clarinda LeBeau-Raymore, Charlotte Two Bulls-Brings Plenty, Zelda Swift Cloud, Cleo Gayton, and Althea Brane-Swan; grandfather, Major Brings Plenty; uncles: Marvin, Harvey, Andrew, and August Brings Plenty; cousins: Terry Randall Jr., Tessa and Jean Curley, and Bernardina Calderon.

He comes from the family of Ota Au (Brings Plenty), Punjpunjela (Soft), Togole (Hunts Enemy), and Tatanka Numpa (Two Bulls).

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Sheldon’s arrangements.

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