November 17, 1979 – February 13, 2025
Sheldon James Brings Plenty-Raymore, 45, of LaPlant, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025, at UC Health University in Aurora, CO.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at CRST Bingo Hall in Eagle Butte.
Sheldon James Brings Plenty-Raymore was born to Cynthia Brings Plenty and Michael G. Raymore in Freemont, CA, on November 17, 1979.
Sheldon graduated from high school in Eagle Butte 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, Hardin, MT and Eagle Butte.
Sheldon was an artist, designer, performer, educator, activist, and 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. Sheldon served as the Deputy Director of the American Indian Community House (AICH) and the Health Elders Network (HEN).
As a multidisciplinary artist, Sheldon performed and exhibited at 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.
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 (20152018). He 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. He was awarded the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Community Arts Fund “2015 Performance Art” Grant.
Through his work in the arts, activism, and education, Sheldon contributed to the preservation of Native culture while advocating for social justice and equality.
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, and Della Brings Plenty; grandfathers Howard Raymore, Envels Brings Plenty, and 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.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.