Blair Greybull was born on August 24th, 1949, in Fort Yates, North Dakota, within the tribal headquarters of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Raised in a simple log cabin without running water or electricity, Blair grew up alongside his/her parents, seven brothers, and two sisters, including a twin sibling. As a child, Blair struggled to overcome shyness and a speech disorder.

Blair was sent to the Pierre Indian Learning Center (PILC) from first to third grade, followed by integration into a predominantly white public school for fourth grade. Blair and his/her twin were discriminated against, but eventually found their place within the school community. Aged six, Blair expressed a “feminine” gesture, which was quickly discouraged by his/her family. After graduating aged eighteen, Blair wanted to seek adventure so volunteered for a draft, following in the shoes of his/her brother who was stationed in Vietnam. Disappointingly, after undergoing training, Blair was informed s/he would be enrolled into infantry. In 1969, s/he spent four months as walking point during the Vietnam War. 

After returning from Vietnam, Blair moved to Fargo and struggled with alcoholism for fourteen years. In 1981, s/he suddenly decided to stop drinking and began to address his/her addiction. S/he then began working at a school in Grand Forks. In 1985, Blair married Barbara and they moved away from North Dakota to Minnesota.

In 1995, Blair experienced a pivotal moment in a Saint Paul boutique store. Unprompted, the sales assistant offered him/her to try on a dress, which reignited the sense of identity from childhood that his/her family had discouraged. This sparked a journey of self-exploration, ultimately leading Blair to embrace his/her Native American Two-Spirit and transgender identities. S/he purchased wigs and dresses. Blair considered a sex change but found the transition too expensive. One day, his/her wife, Barbara, saw Blair wearing a dress. Despite initial disagreements, Blair found acceptance from Barbara and began living authentically, visiting gay clubs under his/her new female identity. Blair didn’t feel the need to ‘come out’ to his/her family, understanding they already knew and it wasn’t necessary.  

In 2012, after 28 years of marriage, Barbara passed away. Following Barbara’s death, Blair struggled with grief and trauma and turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. Seeking treatment, s/he eventually moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, where s/he found solace engaging in activism within the LGBT and Two-Spirit communities. Here, Blair became a respected advocate for resilience and empowerment, attending The Sioux Falls LGBT powwow, rallies and various Two-Spirit community events from coast-to-coast, despite receiving diagnoses of PTSD and 100% disability. 

Today, Blair Greybull resides in Rapid City and continues to educate and participate in LGBT and Two-Spirit community activities.