Job Announcement: Public Relations Specialist
December 7th, 2011 · No Comments
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2011 Home Buyer Education Class – Nov. 8th & 9th
November 4th, 2011 · No Comments
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2011 Green Jobs Fair – November 16th
November 4th, 2011 · No Comments
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Culture…. Why is it important?
October 21st, 2011 · No Comments
>>>>CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW<<<<
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OYATE KI WAÇIŊYAPI NA WAŠAKAPALO
October 14th, 2011 · No Comments
"THE PEOPLE DEPEND ON US – LET US INSPIRE"
Who is responsible for sustainable development? The ones who know.
These are the inspiring words of Dr. Salah Arafa who travelled all the way from Cairo, Egypt to spend three days with us here in Thunder Valley this summer. He had come to exchange ideas and explore dialogue, intrigued by the similarities between the struggles of the Bedouin tribes of the Sinai deserts he has worked with over the last 20 years and the Lakotas of the Great Plains. Long have our own people struggled to uphold the spirit of Lakota values and virtues that our ancestors once lived by so powerfully in harmony with Maka Ina, our Mother Earth. The time has arrived for us to help ourselves by reaching out to those who understand and those who know. The time for allowing others to determine the fate of our families, our youth and our children is over. We are the ones we have been waiting for all this time.
Our People Have Always Dreamed
As told to him by his father, Hehaka Sapa (Black Elk) once explained the vision of Tsunke Witko (Crazy Horse) – one of our greatest leaders:
"Tsunke Witko once dreamed and went into the world where there is nothing but the spirits of all things. That is the real world that is behind this one, and everything we see here is something like a shadow from that world. He was on his horse in that world, and the horse and himself on it and the trees and the grass and the stones and everything were made of spirit, and nothing was hard, and everything seemed to float. His horse was standing still there, and yet it danced around like a horse made only of shadow, and that is how he got his name, which does not mean that his horse was crazy or wild, but that in his vision it danced around in that queer way."
It was this vision that gave Tsunke Witko his great power, for when he went into a fight, he had only to think of that world to be in it again, so he could go through anything and not be hurt. It is now 2011 and we, the descendants of these great men and women of the Great Lakota Nation, still remain and still stand strong. We have different battles to fight - now we must combat the rampant effects of persistent poverty, disease, violence, drug & alcohol addiction, suicides, drop-outs, historical trauma, loss of language, housing shortages, economic distress and the other devastating effects of oppression imposed upon our culture and our People over the last few hundred years.
A New Vision
We have not ever, are not going to, and will never give up. We are still warriors. We have never stopped being incredibly resilient and extremely capable human beings. Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation follows the vision brought to us by a large group of our own Oglala Oyate (people):
EMPOWERING LAKOTA YOUTH & FAMILIES TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT OF OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE HEALING AND STRENGTHENING OF CULTURAL IDENTITY.
We Will Be Better Together
We started out as a spiritual Community, praying together and asking Tunkasila (Creator) to take pity on us and help us be strong enough to make a difference. This will always be the center from which all of our other activities ripple outwards from. From that chokan (center) we have done many things together as a community and as a non-profit organization. We built a Sundance together. We have ceremonies together. We built a Ceremony House together. We sing at powwows together. We coach our kids' sports teams together. We have taught entrepreneurial skills to the Youth together. We have built a new headquarters together. We planted an organic garden and fed our families together. We have sought out new partnerships and new horizons together. We have lived, loved, laughed and cried – TOGETHER.
Now we have set forth on a journey of of self-empowerment and self-sufficiency. The image that you saw at the top of this post is a sketch of a larger community we are in the beginning stages planning. It is a visual representation of a long series of meetings and discussions that asked simple questions of "How do we want to live together as Lakota People? What should our community look like for the future?" Out of this framework came the Voices of Our People – loud and clear. We will protect and nourish the lives of our precious youth and elders. We will bring back our language. We will have access to employment and volunteer opportunities. We are tired of being poor. We want a better life. We will create more things to do. We will seek out more opportunities to learn and grow. By walking this path, we will rediscover the power and beauty of ourselves as Lakota.
Regenerative Community Development – Who Can Help & Why
Regeneration is defined as "the ability of an organism or system to re-grow or restore an original function after being damaged or lost." We are planning a Net-Zero Regenerative Community Development here on Pine Ridge with the intention of restoring our hope, our values, our language and our way of life – Wolakota. Many of us cannot afford high utility bills, so we will get off the grid. We see the detrimental effects of an unpredictable outside markets, so we will take a new look at how we can help eachother and feed ourselves that is highly self-sufficient. We will be ready to for the global changes in the Earth's climate systems that are to come. We will weave the connections between the wisdom and language capabilities of our Lakota elders and the passion & energy of the largest growing segment of our population – our youth.
This will take the best of who we are as human beings. We know it will take planning, persistence and passion. We have these in hand. It will also take resources, knowledge and partners. We have some good ones, but are always seeking others to give strength to the movement. Are you an expert in your field? Do you have monetary means to contribute? Do you have time to volunteer? Do you have connections? Do you have a prayer to give? Do you have the ability to construct? Do you have the patience to teach? We are building a small army of committed individuals to pull off what many already consider to be one of the most exciting projects in the works in Indian Country, if not the United States today. Are you down for the cause? We welcome you – just remember, we Oglalas are in the driver's seat on this one. We have to be if we are to truly regenerate and restore that which was damaged and lost.
It Began With A Reminder from Our Ancestors
Our whole journey started inside the stone people's lodge (sweat lodge) many years ago. There was a time when we young men and women at Thunder Valley were afraid. We feared making mistakes. We feared letting our elders and ourselves down. We feared our own lack of understanding and imperfect abilities. We feared the unknown and the future itself. The ancestors of our People from long ago came in to our sweat lodge that night and our wicasa wakan (medicine man) interpreted to us what they were going to tell us. They were very serious and very stern with the few of us who were told needed to hear the message. This is what they said:
"Long ago when our People faced many challenges, we had to make plans and take action to defend our People. We didn't always know what the outcome was going to be. We were not afraid and we fought for our families and our children. We always rode into battle ready to take what came before us. We were warriors. We did not fight so hard and suffer so many injustices for you to sit here today in fear. You are Lakota! Are you not warriors? The time has come for you to quit being afraid and help your people!"
That was the day everything changed. That was the day we quit worrying and started fighting for our communities, our families and our future. That was the day we stood up and stepped into our true selves – Oglala Lakota Warriors of Thunder Valley – fighting for a better world for the entire Oglala Lakota Nation.
HOKA!!!
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Thunder Valley Community Meeting – Tuesday Oct. 25
October 12th, 2011 · No Comments
Hello Relatives!
Its that time again for another Thunder Valley Community Meeting. There will be tons of new things to discuss and FOOD! Please be sure to save the date. Everyone is welcome to come!
Check out the picture below for a agenda and more information!
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THUNDER VALLEY CDC STAFF
September 22nd, 2011 · No Comments
THUNDER VALLEY CDC STAFF
Nick Tilsen – Executive Director
Tilsen is a fourth generation organizer who has been active in many organizing efforts – from human rights to environmental justice and community economic development, Nick founded Lakota Action Network, a youth organization working to protect sacred sites while promoting sustainable alternatives in renewable energy. Nick served as the Executive Director for Lakota Action Network for four years.
In the fall of 2006 Nick founded the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation, an organization dedicated to empowering Lakota youth & families through cultural and spiritual awareness. Thunder Valley built on a foundation of spirituality now is engaging sustainable community development. Thunder Valley is planning to build a green sustainable community on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation which has sites for homes, a place to incubate businesses, youth shelter, community fitness center, community training facility and other facilities needed to create opportunity for the Oglala Lakota Nation.
Nick has served his people for 10 years doing community work, organizing, volunteering, training, community building, and work collaboratively with many families, organizations, schools and businesses on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Scott Moore – AIA NCARB + Project Coordinator
Scott Moore is an Architect, thinker and grant writer currently working on the development of the sustainable communities OYATE OMNICIYE | Oglala Lakota Plan. This is very unique planning project underway on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation of South Dakota.
Mr. Moore is a Project Coordinator, coordinating efforts between the two organizations he works with: BNIM Architectural firm in Kansas City, KS and the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation.
Throughout his 15-year career, Scott has always worked towards the idea that the beauty of the built environment should reflect the best of the human spirit and the depths of the culture surrounding that spirit. He also enjoys serving rural and disadvantaged populations reflective of his own multi-cultural family roots and agricultural upbringing. Aside from planning and grant writing, Scott has a variety of experiences in project management and construction administration of facilities that combine programs involving technology, sustainable practice, education, service, gathering and social spaces in one coherent effort. His attention to detail and ability to manage complex projects, often involving multiple funding sources, makes him a valuable asset to any project team. Scott currently lives off of BIA Highway 27 in the Porcupine District of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation where he joyfully spends many long hours seeking better opportunity and solutions to promote a more sustainable future for the young and those yet to come. A Rez dog, named Fox, also adopted him.
Jo White – Operations Coordinator
Karlene “Jo” White; Operations Coordinator. Handles all the financial aspects of the organization plus… Jo White has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration which she received from Oglala Lakota College. Jo has 20 years of non-profit experience in many areas. Board Secretary on the Lakota Funds Board of Directors from 1989 – 2006, also the Board Vice-president for the Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce 2008 to present. Has experience in Small Business Development, Coached potential small business owners in business planning/ development in research, cash flow projections and written plan for loans. In addition to her skills and accomplishments, Jo is certified to train in the Core Four small business planning and Building Native Communities Financial Literacy courses.
Jo was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation. She has 4 children – 5 grandchildren all who currently reside on the reservation. I love my home; it holds precious memories of my grandparents and my parents. I truly value the mission of the Thunder Valley CDC. We (means you and me) can make things better for the future of our children, putting aside all differences and working towards a common goal a “Sustainable Future” for the generations to come
Arlo “Mahpiya Maza” Iron Cloud – Marketing Support
Hou Mitakuyapi (Greetings Relatives) My name is Arlo Iron Cloud, I’m from the Porcupine community, Mila Yatapika(Knife Cheif Community). My folks are Richard and Arlene Iron Cloud. I am 1/2 Lakota and 1/2 Dine’(Navajo). I have one son, Leroy Austin Iron Cloud,10 years old. My responsibilities are Media Support for Oyate Omniciye and Thunder Valley. Wopila Tanka Heca!
Dallas Nelson - Community Liaison
Hello! My name is Dallas Nelson and I am the Community Liaison for Thunder Valley CDC. My parents are Dan Nelson and Una Yellow Bull. I have one older sister named Dusty Nelson and younger brother named Dillon Nelson. I was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation. I graduated high school at Red Cloud High School and from college at Black Hills State University. As a Gates Millennium Scholar, I plan to attend graduate school and doctorate school in the near future. I joined the Thunder Valley CDC team this summer, since then, I have learned so much about my reservation and people. As a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, I am very proud to be able to help my people through Thunder Valley CDC and the planning project Oyate Omniciye. I look forward to working with and learning from all the communities and people on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
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Thunder Valley Community Meeting
September 14th, 2011 · No Comments
Its time for another Thunder Valley Community Meeting! There is a lot of cool information we have to share with everyone so please come! The TV Community Meeting is on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 at the Thunder Valley Community Ceremony House from 5:00pm to 9:00 pm. Be sure to check our FACEBOOK for more updates and reminders!
Click on the picture below for the Agenda!
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2011 THUNDER VALLEY COMMUNITY MEETINGS
August 8th, 2011 · No Comments
HELLO RELATIVES,
The staff at Thunder Valley CDC would like to invite you to the Thunder Valley Community Meetings. There will be updates, news, and presentations by the staff of TVCDC. Most importantly, these meetings are a time to join together and share each other's ideas and concerns. For more information click the picture below!
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2011 THUNDER VALLEY CDC T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST
July 27th, 2011 · No Comments
HELLO FRIENDS AND RELATIVES!
Do you have an artist eye? Do you love Thunder Valley CDC and want to create the look and feel of our apparel? Do you want $300? If so, you can be the winner of the Thunder Valley CDC 2011 T-Shirt Design Contest!
CLICK THE PICTURES BELOW FOR DETAILED INFORMATION!
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