EPA and VISTA Cuts
Federal Cuts Threaten Lakota-Led Progress from Buffalo to Workforce (and Everything in Between)
Nake Nula Wauŋ is an expression born of our foundational story of having faced the fire and come through it. Though we face real and serious challenges, we know that we have inside of us what is required to face the moment. “I am prepared for anything, anywhere, at any time.” It is ultimate preparedness, and willingness, to do whatever it takes to ensure health, wellness, safety, thriving for relatives.
In recent weeks, we’ve been hit with more disappointing news about federal funding—this time impacting programs essential to our land stewardship and workforce development efforts.
One of the programs that was cut is the EPA Thriving Communities grant program. Earlier this year we were awarded $350,000 to support the Wolakota Buffalo Range. This support would have strengthened our ability to care for the land, increase access to culturally-relevant foods, and empower the next generation of Lakota land stewards.
But before a single dollar was disbursed, the program was abruptly shut down.
The termination of this grant comes at a particularly important time for Wolakota. Through it’s first five years, Wolakota has been funded primarily through generous grants and donations. However, over the next few years Wolakota will transition into a self-sustaining venture, with revenue generated through meat sales and other potential add-on streams such as eco-tourism. This grant would have eased that transition by covering staff salaries, professional development, and expanded community programming.
The second program that is under fire is AmeriCorps VISTA. The federal administration recently announced it was terminating over 1,000 AmeriCorps grants across the country. While we didn’t lose our VISTA funding in the first round of cuts, there is talk of gutting the entire AmeriCorps agency, which would leave us in a very difficult position.
Since 2016, Sicangu Co has helped place 69 AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers at organizations across Rosebud. VISTAs have served at Sicangu CDC, Tatanka Funds, Lakota Youth Development, REDCO Learning & Development, and even with Massachusetts General Hospital’s Rural Health Fellowship on Rosebud.
The VISTA program has quietly transformed capacity across Rosebud organizations. At Sicangu Co, VISTAs have played a key role in enhancing our marketing, fundraising, and overall operations.
The program doesn’t just benefit the placement organizations though — it is also a key part of our workforce development strategy. VISTAs have tended to be early career professionals who are looking to “test” a certain field before committing to a full time role. This has proven to be an effective match-making and professional development program, with five of our current staff members having gotten their start through our VISTA program.
In a community where talent development is one of our greatest challenges these cuts could stall progress that’s been years in the making.
Let’s not mince words: these cuts hurt. Nonprofits like Sicangu Co are facing unprecedented challenges and we need every ounce of support we can get.
If you have the means, donate to an organization that you admire, or that is making an impact in your community. Write your local paper. Share your story. Call your federal officials and share how your life and community are impacted.
In the meantime, we’re still here. Still building the world we want for our great-grandchildren’s great-grandchildren.
Wopila for walking this path with us. Your support—financial, moral, or otherwise—helps us weather the storm.
