Kenneth Graywater Jr.

KJ is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Tribe. He was raised on Spirit Lake until he graduated from Four Wind High school with the class of 2000. Kj served in the United States Marine Corps from July 2000 until he was Honorably discharged in 2004. During his enlistment, he traveled to Okinawa and then participated in the invasion of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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After completing his discharge he returned to Spirit Lake to enter the workforce in a variety of jobs from road construction to building wind farms. While home to be the best man for his best friend’s wedding he met the love of his life, Alyssa. He relocated to her hometown in Ohio where they would spend the next 8 years. They raised 2 children to adulthood and got the joy of being a safe place for two nieces and a nephew for a time. During a visit home the test tour was underway and as Creator would have it he met many of the current and past board members. That time reignited a fire to share his Dakota culture. Feeling a yearning to be a part of positive change on his home land, he and Alyssa chose to relocate back to Spirit Lake in 2021.

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He was then able to jump right into several boards and becoming an active member of the VFW Post 6547. He serves on the Spirit Lake Youth Sports board as well. KJ was able to connect with the Devils Lake Winter Sports nonprofit within a month of moving home. After a short time KJ was gifted a historic property known as the Devils Lake SkiJump/Skyline Skiway. Kj and Alyssa have been working to restore the property and develop it into a safe place for family friendly activities. He has been Tribal Historic Preservation Office director for the Spirit Lake Tribe since December 2021.

KJ and Alyssa are the proud parents to two adult children and their spouses to which 3 of the 4 serve in the United States Air Force. They are grandparents to two grandchildren who love being Dakota.