Last week, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced $25 million in federal spending for buffalo conservation, which will include the transfer of more herds from federal to tribal lands. The announcement follows a multi-year trend of reintroducing the iconic animal to Native American homelands, which has mainly happened through agreements […]
Ellen White Thunder New Deputy Director of Lakota Funds
Ellen White Thunder (Oglala Sioux) has been named as the Deputy Director of Lakota Funds. White Thunder joined the Lakota Funds team eight months ago and was instrumental in the success of the organization’s construction internship program last summer. In her new position, White Thunder will assist Executive Director, […]
South Dakota Housing Awards Tawney Brunsch with the Friend of Housing Award
South Dakota Housing presented its “Friend of Housing” Award to Tawney Brunsch at the annual statewide housing conference. South Dakota Housing presents the award annually to an individual who has made a commitment to affordable housing in South Dakota through their contributions, achievements and vision. As a community leader, […]
Long-Time Friends Become Business Partners, Purchase Construction Franchise
This summer, Frankee York (Oglala Sioux) and Raymond Vigil became the new owners of ABC Seamless, a construction franchise that specializes in siding, roofing, gutters, and windows. Prior to becoming owner of the Rapid City location, Vigil worked for ABC Seamless in Pierre, South Dakota, for four years. York, who […]
Construction Internship Builds Reservation Workforce
Eight young people across the Pine Ridge Reservation are currently participating in a construction internship program that is facilitated in partnership with Lakota Funds and the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition. In mid-June, the interns were placed among three local building contractors – Lakota Cabins, Mendoza Construction, and Sod’s Mechanical […]
Request for Proposals: Strategic Planning Facilitation
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING FACILITATION Lakota Funds was established in 1986 as the first Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Lakota Funds provides small business loans to new start-up and growing businesses. Helping entrepreneurs on and within the boundaries of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Lakota Funds […]
Tawney Brunsch Named Emerging Leader of the Year
Lakota Funds Executive Director, Tawney Brunsch, received the Emerging Leader Award during the 18th Annual National NeighborWorks® Excellence Awards ceremony that highlights the work of leaders and the organizations they serve as a way of celebrating significant accomplishments. Specifically, The Emerging Leader Award recognizes an Executive Director or […]
New Initiative Aims to Increase Homeownership on Rosebud Reservation
With funding support from NeighborWorks America, five organizations located on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations – Lakota Federal Credit Union, Lakota Funds, Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial, Sicangu Wicoti Awanyakapi Corporation, and Tatanka Funds – have joined together to launch the Rosebud Homeownership and Wealth Building Initiative, which will […]
Historic Water, Light and Power Building Under New Ownership
Jason (Oglala Lakota) and Resa Rutz recently purchased one of the Picture City’s historic sandstone structures, the Water, Light and Power Company building located on North River Street. Polished Salon & Spa, owned by Resa, relocated to the building’s newly remodeled ground floor suite this summer. The […]
Homeownership Services Now Offered at New Oglala Lakota Artspace Building
The Lakota Federal Credit Union and Lakota Funds have opened second locations at the new Oglala Lakota Arts Center, which is just west of the Pine Ridge Chamber building. While these additional offices will focus on supporting Lakota families who are pursuing homeownership, the main locations for […]