Bonnie Labbee was born on the Cheyenne River Sioux reservation, at the Old Agency, now known as Eagle Butte, S.D. She is an enrolled member of her father’s tribe, the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Tribe (Lakota), and her mother was a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribe (Dakota). She attended Wapato Schools and at the age of 18, according to the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1855, was granted a Sioux Benefit which she used to enroll in college. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University majoring in ethnic cultural studies and sociology. She later earned a master’s degree in counseling and guidance from Fort Wright College of Holy Names, now known as Heritage University. She worked at YVC for 37 years as a guidance and career counselor, while also teaching ethnic studies courses. In addition, Labbee served for many years as the advisor of the Tiin-Ma Indian Club, which at the time was comprised of students who represented at least 20 different tribes each year.