Big Happenings at Keya Wakpala Woiċaġeyapi🏡
At the end of 2025, Keya Wakpala reached a major milestone: we held a groundbreaking ceremony honoring our first three homeowners! This event was not just a celebration for the new homebuyers and their families but also a powerful moment for our entire community.
After the ceremony, Siċaŋġu Co provided a meal at the model home to celebrate. Families, friends, and many supportive relatives gathered together and shared a meal and stories as we marked this exciting new chapter.
In our community, becoming a homeowner is an opportunity that many families did not think was possible for them on the reservation. Through Keya Wakpala, we are turning these dreams of homeownership into a reality through:
• Empowerment: Many families are becoming first-time homebuyers, opening doors for the next generation.
• Inspiration: Seeing members of our community achieve homeownership inspires others to believe it’s possible for them, too.
• Commitment: This milestone reflects our dedication to creating culturally relevant housing with homes designed with our people and traditions in mind.
• Opportunity: The success of these first homeowners shows that, together, we are building a future where more families can call Keya Wakpala home.
We are excited to continue our work at Keya Wakpala and build more homes and create even more opportunities for new homeowners.
Community Voices Shape the Keya Wakpala Walking Trails
This spring, the Keya Wakpala Woicageyapi Walking Trails Project made significant progress, thanks to the support and input from our community. We held six focus group sessions with a total of 36 participants over three days. Community members reviewed and discussed trail, walkway, and play area designs, providing valuable feedback. The project is funded by the America the Beautiful Grant and brings together key partners: Prairie Legacy (ecological assessment), Trust for Public Lands (TPL, design), Siċaŋġu Co, and more.
Through these focus group sessions, the top requests from the community include walking trails, restrooms, outdoor workout equipment, seating areas, an amphitheater, picnic and art spaces, trash cans, quiet spots for reflection, and a dog park.
Looking ahead, TPL’s next project visit is scheduled for August 2026!
We are grateful for the enthusiasm, ideas, and participation of all who attended. Together, we are building trails that reflect our community’s vision and needs.
