As the 10th annual Small Business Saturday approaches, Stacey Livermont (Oglala Sioux) is celebrating her entry into restaurant ownership at Piesano’s Pacchia after 20 years as the pizzeria’s chef. She began working at Piesano’s in 1999, just three years after the restaurant opened, and has become an integral part of […]
Community Partners Combine Forces to Open Doors to Homeownership
In the tail winds of Veteran’s Day, we and two of our community partners – Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial and the Lakota Federal Credit Union – are celebrating with Garfield Iron Crow (Oglala Sioux), a Native American veteran, as construction of his new home nears completion. After serving in the […]
Frank Hunter Banks Local, Expands Cattle Operation
Frank Hunter, a life-long resident of Kyle, South Dakota, grew up in a ranching family on the Pine Ridge Reservation. And, that’s still what he’s doing today. Frank’s cattle operation consists of about 40 cow-calf pairs and some hay ground. After banking in Gordon, Nebraska for 40 years, he recently […]
Sod’s Mechanical Grows Business, Builds Workforce
Ken Soderlin began Sod’s Mechanical, a plumbing and heating business on the Pine Ridge Reservation, in 1989 with one employee and one truck. Today, his business employs 14 full-time staff members and operates a fleet of six trucks. Early in his company’s history, he took on some big jobs that […]
Eighth Renter Transitions to Homeowner in Eagle Nest Housing Development
In the midst of an extreme housing shortage, it is estimated that the Pine Ridge Reservation needs an additional 4,000 homes to provide adequate housing for residents. With a virtually nonexistent residential real estate market, families are commonly on the waiting list for low-income tribal housing for two-plus years. In […]
Art Market & Exhibit Awards Nearly $2,500 in Competition Prizes
Approximately 75 people gathered at the Lakota Prairie Ranch in Kyle for the Lakota Art Market & Exhibit, an event that featured local art vendors, an archery competition, and a youth art contest. Lakota Funds hosted the event in partnership with First Peoples Fund, and distributed a total of $2,425 […]
Native Organizations Receive Governor’s Awards in the Arts
Lakota Funds was recognized for Outstanding Support of the Arts to Native Nations with Lands in South Dakota at the 24th Biennial Governor’s Awards in the Arts presentation banquet in Pierre, which was co-sponsored by Arts South Dakota and the South Dakota Arts Council. We were selected through an open […]
Free Tax Service Aims to Maximize Refunds for Reservation Residents
Lakota Funds and the Lakota Federal Credit Union are partnering again this year to facilitate a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site that will offer free tax preparation services to those who live on the Pine Ridge Reservation and neighboring areas.
“This is a critical service that helps fuel
Oglala Sioux Tribe President Drops in on Youth Business Plan Competition
The 11th Annual Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) Business Plan Competition had an unexpected, yet very welcomed, visitor. Oglala Sioux Tribe President, Julian Running Bear, watched several youth as they presented their business plans on the second day of the competition at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. “It was great to […]
Native Nations Rebuilders – Cohort 10 Announced
Congratulations to Angela Koenen for being chosen as one of the members of the 10th cohort of the Native Nations Rebuilders program! Rebuilders are emerging and existing Native leaders looking to build leadership skills and nation building knowledge. Angela was one of 21 tribal citizens from 14 tribes that was […]