Meet Our Student Interns!
Our interns are halfway through the semester!
Through our Learning and Development Team, we welcomed five student interns this school semester from our local Sinte Gleska University. Continue reading on to meet them and learn more about the program!
Jessica Larson, Learning & Development Director
Jessica has worked at Sicangu Co since 2017. Prior to joining the team, she taught elementary school for three years. Jessica is a certified teacher and has a master’s degree in educational administration.
The Learning & Development department manages workforce development programs within Sicangu Co, and the team currently manages 5 programs: 2 summer youth internships, a college internship for Sinte Gleska University students, the AmeriCorps VISTA program, and Immersive Learning Experiences and Rural Networking (ilEARN), a professional development opportunity for local educators.
Sicangu Co’s approach to workforce development is person-centered, which can be seen in the holistic development opportunities that each program offers. While each program focuses on technical workplace skill development, each program also intentionally incorporates opportunities for participants to grow their physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness. Examples of opportunities that participants may experience include social emotional intelligence workshops, equine therapy, and Lakota language classes.
The Sicangu Co Internship for Sinte Gleska University (SGU) students is a collaboration between Sicangu Co and SGU. Though Sicangu Co has hosted SGU interns for years, the internship experience was reorganized in Fall 2023. The changes included centralizing the internship under the Learning & Development department, creating a cohesive experience for interns that include regular workshops, and gave them more opportunities throughout the ecosystem while adding personal and Lakota development. Every intern completes the “Rebuilding Native Nations” course with us through the University of Arizona.
The amount of students that participate depends on which directors want an intern that semester and how the word gets out at the university. The students hold many different roles within Sicangu Co. It depends on their year in school, knowledge, and experience. Some are more administrative, some have many short term roles, and some do super sculpted work. The specific work depends on their placement site.
We asked our interns:
You’re halfway through the semester, how are you enjoying your internship so far?
What are your main duties at the moment?
Is your experience so far having any sort of impact on your college or career goals?
Nebraska Menard
I am loving my internship with Sicangu Co. It’s a positive work environment. Right now, I am working on reaching out to different organizations in the area to set up summer staff trainings in April. My experience so far has opened my eyes to the different work-areas and things that I’d like to do once I am finished with college. This has given me a lot more insight and options on what I can do, what resources are out there, and how I can help my community.
Emily Barnett
I’m enjoying my internship and amazing opportunity! Everyone I have met within the ecosystem has been incredibly kind and welcoming. In addition to our internship focus we have been working on an online course that’s been interesting and eye-opening. There are Lakota language teachings and beneficial socio-emotional teachings. I Intern with the Health Initiative; right now my main duties are supporting my co-workers in various ways so that Ashlynn and Katrina can focus on their projects. I help create online tools for outreach to families and individuals, I order supplies, help brainstorm ideas, and help to establish those; and more. I’m grateful that SHI has been willing to accommodate my schedule and family responsibilities. I have been able to help remotely, which allows me not to stress about transportation or childcare for my children. We communicate and work in such a way that it still feels like a Team. This internship has opened my eyes and mind to a lot of possibilities in my future. I think the work that Sicangu Co is doing is incredibly impactful. We continue to work on positive changes for our communities and the Sicangu Lakota Oyate. We have many goals and dreams for the future; as a mom, it's inspiring to be a part of the work that is going to continue to bring positive change and opportunities for our wak̇aŋyeja.
Madison Jackson
I work with the Wolakota Bison Range. My supervisor, Jerrica, has taught me a lot so far about how the buffalo live and what some of their everyday behaviors are. I’ve gotten to experience moving the herd and helping with everyday tasks like cleaning the shop, fencing, and a lot more. Jerrica not only has taught me about the history behind the land, but has also taught me about life in general. She is an amazing role model for young women like me. One of my favorite things she says is "girls can do it too", because we really can! My experience so far has made me realize that at some point in the future I want to start up my families ranch again. I also want to learn more about botany and native plants. I’m in the mental health field and would like to take some classes on native plants and herbal medicines.
A Fall 2023 Intern become full-time employee!
Sara Fielder
Last semester, I was placed into the Keya Wakpala Initiative as a project support. I helped them with any tasks that they delegated to me. Now, I work as the Executive Assistant on the CDC side. I wanted to come back full time because during my internship I seen that everyone who worked within Sicangu Co all had the same passion and goal; which is helping our people and creating a better future for generations to come. That is also my passion. I love helping my people in any way that I can. I appreciated the fact that they worked with me as a mother and full time student. I have never been employed at a place where they value employees the way Sicangu Co does. It was such a positive environment and experience that I came back and I absolutely love what I do and my team. My advice for future interns is to keep an open mind and not give up. Try everything that the internship has to offer, even if it’s a little scary. It can be challenging at times, trying to work, go to school, and maintain your personal life; but it is so rewarding in the end. Finishing the internship was one of the best things I could have ever done for myself. I made connections and met many great people along the way who I really value.