Planting Seeds of Change with the WIK Program

Growing Change from the Ground Up: Inside This Year’s WIK Internship

At Sicangu Co, our vision of food sovereignty starts with empowering our people to reclaim their relationship with the land—and this year’s Waičaȟya Ičaǧapi Kte (They Will Grow Into Producers) Program is doing just that.

Led by Echo Clairmont, Program Manager for the Food Sovereignty Initiative (and a proud former WIK intern herself), this seven-month internship equips tribal members with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to grow their own food, build healthier habits, and inspire those around them.

“Our overall goal is to start a prairie wildfire,” Echo says, “of people being able to grow their own food and be self-sustainable.”

A Garden for Every Intern—From Day One

This year’s WIK cohort includes six full-time interns—each of them a tribal member—who have already planted individual gardens at their homes. Unlike previous years, where transportation was a barrier, this year’s program is home-based, allowing interns to begin growing immediately. They received full garden kits at the start of the program, including tools, hoses, and soil support.

The result? Six gardens in the ground, with families and kids learning alongside the interns. Some are even exploring raising chickens.

“They’re doing it for their families,” Echo shares. “To eat healthier, to show their kids what’s possible—it’s really community-focused.”

Beyond Gardening: Hands-On Learning & Community Healing

Each day brings a new lesson. Whether it’s tending their gardens, attending workshops, or experiencing horse therapy at Sinte Gleska University’s ranch, interns are immersed in a learning environment rooted in Lakota values and collective care.

The program also includes real-life training in financial literacy and sustainable planning. This year, interns will present their personal sustainability plans to a review team—and upon approval, receive up to $5,000 to continue building and expanding their gardens after graduation.

A Growing Movement

WIK has been evolving over the past 6–7 years and is now in its final season under the Food Sovereignty Initiative. Next year, the program will move under Sicangu Co’s Learning and Development team—ensuring its continuation while staying rooted in its original mission.

The community-level impact is already visible.

“The change isn’t just with the interns—it’s spreading to their families too,” Echo says. “That’s the dream: more tribal producers, more gardens, more food grown right here at home.”

Currently, only about 1% of homes on the reservation have gardens. WIK is helping change that, one intern and one garden at a time.

Acknowledging Our Supporters

This year’s WIK Internship is made possible through federal funding from the USDA.
Federal support has been instrumental in getting programs like WIK off the ground—providing not just funding, but opportunities for our community members to build skills, grow food, and invest in healthier futures. We’re grateful for this partnership, which continues to help our vision for food sovereignty take root and thrive.

Echo Clairmont, FSI Program Manager

Hau, Echo Clairmont emáčiyapi.

Sicangu Co. ekta, Food Sovereignty Initiative kiŋ hehá Program Manager emáwašte.

Hello, my name is Echo Clairmont. Here at Sicangu Co., I work as the Program Manager for the Food Sovereignty Initiative at Sicangu Co.

I am the proud mother of three wonderful children—one daughter and two sons. My journey with Sicangu Co. began as an intern in the WIK Program. On my very first day, I discovered I was expecting my first son, yet I remained committed to mastering every aspect of gardening, planting, and food-system stewardship.

After completing the apprenticeship in November 2022, I continued to contribute as a contractor through the winter. In January 2023, I was appointed Program Manager of the Food Sovereignty Initiative—a role I still hold today. I currently mentor WIK participants and supervise two other internships, guiding them in culturally rooted food sovereignty practices.

One of the most impactful parts of working at Sicangu Co. has been witnessing so many relatives and coworkers actively pursuing their personal journeys. Seeing others continue to learn and grow deeply inspired me. That spark, combined with the supportive environment here, helped me begin my own journey and reconnect with my personal goals.

This August, I will proudly graduate with an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education —a milestone that reflects not only personal growth but the collective encouragement I’ve received from this community.

I am deeply grateful to Sicangu Co. for its unwavering support, both personally and professionally, and I remain committed to advancing food sovereignty for the Sicangu Oyate and future generations.