David Pego

DAVID PEGO

David Pego, age 51, a longtime journalist and writer, died two weeks ago at his home in Brookings, S.D. At the time of his death, he was a columnist for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and Dakota Journal and Lakota Journal and frequent contributor to myriad publications. A Saginaw Chippewa tribe member, David was a delegate to the historic White House Conference on Indian Education and was the 2000 winner of the Innovators In Education Award. He founded Great Promise for Young American Indians, a non-profit organization, dedicated to creating educational and cultural opportunities for American Indian children.David was a journalist for more than three decades in Dallas, Oklahoma City and Austin, TX. He was also a journalism instructor at the University of Texas at Austin and spent years as a contributing editor of the Native American Village at IMDiversity.com. Perhaps David's greatest accomplishment was as a national leader for Newspapers In Education. David had retired from his position as educational services director of the Austin American-Statesman when the '9-11' attack occurred. He came up with Penny Power in response to the attack. For this project, NIE kids from around the nation collected over half a million dollars in pennies and bought a fire truck for New York City. The truck was dedicated to the men and women who were injured or died during the attack and aftermath. His friends and colleagues will best remember him for his generous spirit and his words of wisdom. David, the son of James and Elsie Pego was born in Mount Pleasant, MI, on February 1, 1954. He was preceded in death by both parents. He is survived by his daughter, Christina Pego Murray and her husband Jason; his grandchildren Jackson, John-Thomas and Alexandra of Oklahoma City; and his son, Anthony Pego of San Diego. A Funeral Service was held on Monday, June 20, 2005, at Helms Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, MI. Contributions may be made to the Association of American Indian Physicians for Diabetes Education, Attn: Margaret Knight, 1225 Sovereign Row, Suite 103 Oklahoma City, OK 73108.