Every tribal member deserves a career that provides financial stability and opportunities for personal and professional growth. At Lakota Funds, we’re committed to investing in the talent and entrepreneurship of our community members. We develop training opportunities for community members seeking to advance their careers while providing employers with resources and tools to create new jobs and grow their businesses.

Internship Program

At Lakota Funds, we’re partnering with local contractors to create opportunities for young people to explore careers in the fast-growing construction industry. 

Through our Construction Internship Program, we have paired more than 100 interns with local building contractors to gain valuable on-site job training, preparing them for future careers in the building trades. 

  • Construction interns gain on-the-job training, financial literacy training, and a range of valuable certifications (including OSHA 10, First Aid, and CPR).

  • Interns also create Matched Savings Accounts with Lakota Funds to help prepare for making investments in advanced education, professional tools, or for a downpayment on a home. 

TRIBAL Contractor Capacity Building Program

In partnership with the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition, Lakota Funds helped to create the Tribal Contractor Capacity Building Program to support local contractors through practical, comprehensive business development training. 

Training topics include financial management, bidding and estimating, and tax preparation, as well as obtaining critical safety certifications to protect workers and reduce workman’s compensation costs. 

Residential Inspection Certification Program

Alongside the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition, Lakota Funds helped to launch a new certification program for tribal members to become certified residential inspectors. 

Our goal is to open pathways to employment opportunities and increased pay for community members in the construction sector.

CONNECT WITH Our Team

 
 

“At Lakota Funds, we are committed to creating a new paradigm–one that keeps our economic capital right here in our communities, so that tribal members can access all the services and resources they need here on the reservation. Providing contractors with financing to drive their work forward aligns perfectly with that vision.

Our Native contractors are creating the infrastructure and housing that are crucial to our future. They are creating the kinds of quality jobs that allow young people to build their futures here and support growing families. Their work is directly connected to the long-term self-reliance and wellbeing of our community, and we’re excited to see these new resources revitalize our economy.”

Ellen White Thunder
Lakota Funds Deputy Director

Bringing extensive knowledge of the construction industry to Lakota Funds' work.