Joseph L. Hayes, Dakota Wicasta Hanpa Apena Odowan Tehinda, 79, of Sisseton, SD passed away on December 5, 2020 at the Tekakwitha Living Center in Sisseton, SD. Graveside Funeral Service will be Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 3:00 PM at the Sisseton Wahpeton Traditional Burial Grounds, Sisseton, SD. CRE Jr. Heminger will officiate. Pallbearers will be Corwin Bluedog, Charlie Vermillion, Wakinyan Janice, Bobby Blackthunder, Drago Lufkins, Allan Owen, and Lyndon Bluedog. Honorary pallbearers will be all Moccasin Players, Russell Smith, John Ross, Arnold Goodbird, and the Tekakwitha Living Center Staff. Interment will be in the Sisseton Wahpeton Traditional Burial Grounds, Sisseton, SD. . Military Rites will be provided by the American Legion Post # 314. There will be visitation on Thursday, December 10, 2020 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the Cahill Funeral Chapel in Sisseton, SD. Masks and social distancing are required. The Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Joseph was born on March 11, 1941 at Sisseton, SD to Alfred and Annie (Johnson) Hayes. He attended the Enemy Swim Day School. He was sent to the Wahpeton Boarding School where he graduated 8 ^th grade. He then started working for rural farmers before he enlisted in the Army on January 30, 1961 and was discharged o May 18, 1964. After he returned from the military he made his home in the Sisseton and Agency Village area. He never married. He comes from a grass root family who spoke the language frequently. He loved to play moccasin. He traveled to Canada and North Dakota to play with his brothers. He was a great man. He had a great sense to humor. He also enjoyed playing cards and going to the casino.

Joseph is survived by his sister, Caroline Blackthunder of Waubay, SD.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Archie, Ernest, Floyd and Andrew and one sister, Florestine.