Oglala Sioux Tribe Credit & Finance
The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation covers a vast geographical area in southwestern South Dakota and northwestern Nebraska. It's home to the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST), a sovereign governmental entity with regulatory authority within reservation land boundaries. While not all 52,000 enrolled tribal members reside on the reservation, they're connected through very rich historical, social, racial, and ethnic ties.
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With a plan to enhance the local economy through tourism, promote workforce development and career readiness, and inspire new modes of learning and education for local Lakota youth and families, Oglala Sioux Tribe Credit & Finance aimed to provide new opportunities to the Oglala Lakota through the Opportunity Park — a travel plaza offering business and educational opportunities for locals and cultural experiences for visitors. We partnered with KLJ Engineering and the Oglala Sioux Tribe to assess the feasibility of the first phase of the park.
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Gain insights through collaborative community visioning sessions, meetings, interviews, and surveys.
Analyze over 12 years of tourism and business data.
Assess business status, ownership types, and financial viability.
Provide financial analysis and conceptual design ideas.
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The final report included the results from a cultural resources survey, a wetlands delineation assessment, and a cultural site plan all led by KLJ. The results provided the technical assistance required for the final grant proposal, and the study helped the tribe prepare for investment and future construction of the site.
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Jan 2021–Dec 2022
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Michael Brydge — Tool design, data collection and analysis, on-site visits and communication, data collection, financial analysis, and report writing
“I appreciated that [Sweet Grass] did not come to the tribe with the attitude, ‘I know what's best for you and this is how it needs to be done.’ You listened, learned of our intentions, and helped without judging us.” —Trudy Ecoffey, Tanka Fund
