Our Mission

Lakota Funds is a community development organization actively promoting the socio-economic sustainability of Oglala Lakota Oyate (people) on the Pine Ridge Reservation. It's culturally appropriate strategies include business loans, technical assistance and targeted community and business development.

History

Lakota Funds was established twenty years ago by a group of visionary community leaders with assistance from Oglala Lakota College and the First Nations Development Institute.

The group realized that to break the cycle of poverty on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, they needed to go beyond charity focused on daily needs. They focused on the key roadblocks to economic development: access to capital, access to technical assistance, access to business networks, and access to infrastructure.

They also decided to build the first Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in America, and Lakota Funds was born. read more>

OUR TEAM

Dr. Dowell Caselli-Smith, Executive Director, read bio>>

LaVonne Randall, Financial Manager

Vacant, Loan Officer

Tonia Young, Small Business Coach

Darrel Twiss, Housing Manager

Mary Mousseau, Oyate Woableza Otipi Project Coordinator

Diane Tail, OWOP Investment Specialist

Tony Taylor, OWOP Loan Improvement Specialist

Jennifer Richards, OWOP Information Specialist/Public Relations

Peggy Two Crow, OWOP Clerical

Jo White, WBI Director

David White Bull, Small Business Success Coach

Shanelle Bull Bear , Small Business Success Coach Assistant

SUPPORT CONSULTANTS

Micheal Utter, Rural Community Innovations

Phebe Royer Quattrucci, Opportunity Finance Network

BOARD

Elsie Meeks, Chairperson, read bio>>

Brian Kirk, Vice President

Emma Clifford , Member , read bio>>

Faith Two Eagle , Member

Wilma Standing Bear, Member

Ivan Sorbel, Member

Mike Her Many Horses, Member