Wellness, Workforce, and a Stronger Siċaŋġu Oyate
Wellness, Workforce, and a Stronger Siċaŋġu Oyate
“Henry Quick Bear Sr. (Lakota Language Educator) and the learners of Lakolya Waoniya attend their honoring for completion of the program”
At Siċaŋġu Co, growth is about more than number and programs -- it's about people.
Over the past eight years, we’ve added roughly ten jobs each year. Up until recently, nearly all of those positions were in our nonprofit programs or community-serving businesses. Through that expansion we’ve been able to launch programs like our Wolak̇ota Buffalo Range, Lak̇olya Waoniya language program, Wak̇aŋyeja Ki Ṫokeyaḣc̄i immersion school, and vastly scale up our Food Sovereignty, Tatanka Funds, Learning and Development teams. Those programs have created real impact, but that rapid growth came with challenges. Our back-end systems, support structures, and leadership capacity didn’t keep pace.
That’s why in recently years – but especially in 2024 -- we made a big shift!
In a community where job opportunities are scarce, creating meaningful, well-paying employment is one of the most powerful ways we can invest in the Sicangu Lakota Oyate. It’s also how we build the long-term sustainability of our movement.
We're also investing in the well-being of our people.
Siċaŋġu Co is proud to offer a range of leave options—including Volunteer Leave, Educational Leave, Spiritual Leave, and, most recently, Wellness Leave. After a successful pilot last year, our team now gets one paid Wellness Day each month to use however they choose.
Here’s how a few of our employees use their Wellness Day:
“I pick up my Unci (grandmother) and take her to her appointments. Then we go to a coffee shop and journal and laugh. Now she wants to add a workout too. My wellness day has become her wellness day.”
“I use it to hike, kayak, or just get outside with my dog. It’s a chance to recharge, and sometimes turn it into a long weekend adventure.”
“I spend the entire day with mihíŋgna (my husband) and mičhúŋkši (my sons). We focus entirely on wellness. Last wellness day, we made bird feed, pruned the chokeberry trees, and tended to the lilac bushes!”
“I’ve taken my ina (mother) to doctor’s appointments, caught up on errands, or simply paused to breathe. It’s a reminder that balance matters.”
“Golf, running, new moon ceremonies—it’s all part of keeping myself centered physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.”
“I usually use it to catch up on ‘life stuff’ that I don’t typically get to during the work week – laundry, bills, appointments, etc. That frees me up so that I have more time on the weekend to spend with friends and family.”
We believe our employees’ well-being is directly tied to the health of our mission. As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” When we care for our people, they are able to care even more deeply for their community.
Pilámayayapi (thank you) for standing with us as we build a future rooted in prosperity, opportunity, and Indigenous self-determination.
Together, we are building something that will benefit future generations.
Coming this summer, Siċaŋġu Co is collaborating with Outlast Arts & Education for a free summer camp where you can learn film making! 🎥
The camp will be during the third week of July from the 14th to the 18th. Transportation will be provided! The age range is 12-18 years old. There are only 20 slots available, so they are on a first come first serve basis.
To apply, click on the image below. Good luck, future movie-makers!
We'd like to give a shout out to our Kul Wicasa relative, Kansas Middletent for his commitment to our youth across Turtle Island! Last year, he came to Rosebud and spent time with our 7Gen Interns and took them through various activities that they absolutely loved! The 7Gen Internship Program is designed to provide hands-on experience and mentorship to young people from the Siċaŋġu Lakota community, fostering growth in various professional areas.
The program aims to nurture the next generation of leaders by offering opportunities to engage in projects that align with the values of community, sustainability, and empowerment. These are the same values that we've witnessed Kansas hold closely to his messaging and his work.
Wopila Kansas for always being a positive role model to our youth! You can click the images below to check out his Instagram page.
