Buffalo TRACKS Workforce Development MOVING Forward With - Pine Ridge Area Chamber of ...
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JANUARY 2018 newsletter
Buffalo TRACKS
MOVING Forward With
Workforce Development
The Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Today, many of our students who While the needs of each economy
Commerce is focused on improving are now looking for work immediately are different, in the Pine Ridge Area
our local economy. Our experiences out of high school have the skills to there is an immense demand for
have shown us that creating business- succeed at the college level, but have workers who are trained to work in the
es is only half the battle, we also not always been granted access to service industry.
understand that it necessary to educational experiences that would The service industry is far more
develop a skilled workforce for our make them employable immediately inclusive than many people realize. It
businesses to survive. after graduating. can involve the transport, distribution
The idea of creating a workforce Our ANA grant has allowed us to and sale of goods from producer to a
armed with the unique skills needed to enter the school system to bring these consumer, as may happen in electrical
meet the needs of employers in skills to our youth. We will be hosting work, retail sales, maintenance work,
specific region is not new. The first Work Force development trainings at retail sales, and even the healthcare
appearances of sustained workforce Little Wound and Crazy Horse schools, field as many entry level positions
development appeared in the form of preparing students for employment. require the same skills.
the public-school system. Students These students will then enter the job The need for workforce develop-
were not only exposed to traditional market in a couple of months as ment across South Dakota was echoed
academic subject matter, but also to summer is fast approaching. We by Gov. Dennis Daugaard last week
trades that had made many employ- expect them to have success in their during his final State of the State
able right out of high school. future endeavors. address.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
contents
pg. 2 - Directors letter pg. 5 - native pop
pg. 3 - sorbel elected pg. 7 - profiles
pg. 4 - WORKFORCE DEV. pg. 8 - valued members
Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 375 • 7900 Lakota Prairie Drive • K yle, SD 57752
www.pineridgechamber.com
2
ivan
sorbEl
DIRECTOR
dIRECTOR’S
lETTER
PINE RIDGE
AREA CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
Dear Chamber Members, be starting a new semester soon. New
Happy New Year 2018. Hope you all students receiving Work Force Develop-
enjoyed the holiday season and endured the ment training.
very cold South Dakota holiday weather. In May 2017 PRACC was awarded a
AS you may know, we are in our final Black Hills Community Foundation Quality
year of a five year ANA grant. The grant of Life grant in the amount of $5000. The
has progressed as we had anticipated and grant is for youth workforce development
our projects continue to perform well. We and environmental projects. In September
are delivering Work Force development PRACC trained and hired four reservation
trainings at Little Wound and Crazy Horse youth for a project. PRACC partnered with
schools, preparing students for employ- Badlands National Park to do an outdoor
ment. These students will be seeking project in the park. Our youth group
employment in a couple of months as worked for three weeks removing fence in
summer is fast approaching. the park in preparation for a new fence.
Our Tourism efforts continue to develop. The second group worked during the winter
We are marketing the reservation from break. Four of our college students and two
multiple angles. Utilizing cooperative high school students preformed a three
marketing, trade shows and an array of week project cutting fire wood. PRACC
print and digital media. We will do a partnered with a local rancher to clean up
reprint of the brochure in late summer pasture area and an old tree grove. The
2018. If you have a listing in the brochure, wood was cut, split and delivered to elders
be sure to update your information. in different communities.
The staff at PRACC is gearing up for the PRACC has been awarded a First Nations
annual tourism conference in Pierre, SD Development Institute art grant. The grant
January 16-18. PRACC will hold a booth at will provide for an artist in residence
the annual conference again this year. The project at the Pine Ridge Visitor Center
booth is a great marketing tool for the during 2018. This new program will give
reservation and we are able to share infor- additional incentive to visit the reservation
mation with many people in the tourism and to view the beautiful Lakota Culture
industry. We are looking forward to through art. For those artists on the
starting 2018 with a bang at the conference. Chamber list, staff will be in contact with
Our Department of Education grant you soon.
(NYCP) is on track. We are mentoring nine Tax season is hear. PRACC will provide
college students attending school across the volunteer income tax preparation starting
country. The students are all doing well the end of January, 2018. Please inform
and looking forward to their second semes- your employees of this free service. VITA
ter. We are excited to see our mentors bond saves taxpayers thousands of dollars every
with the students and build on that year.
relationship. Our high school project will Ivan Sorbel, Director
Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 375 • 7900 Lakota Prairie Drive • K yle, SD 57752
www.pineridgechamber.com
3
Sorbel elected to
Governors Tourism
Advisory Board
Front row, L. to R.: John Brockelsby, Rapid City; Ted Hustead, Wall; Julie Ranum, Watertown; Ivan Sorbel, Kyle; Kristi Wagner, Whitewood; Ann Lesch, De Smet. Back row, L. to R.:
Steve Westra, Sioux Falls; Frank Smith, Gettysburg; Stan Anderson, Wall; Tom Biegler, Sioux Falls; Carmen Schramm, Yankton.
PIERRE, S.D. –The Governor’s Tourism and advocates for businesses in their area and the
Advisory Board has selected its officers for 2018. South Dakota Department of Tourism. The board
Ivan Sorbel of Kyle was elected the board also offers input about marketing strategies for
president during a meeting today in Pierre. Kristi the department.
Wagner of Whitewood was elected vice president. Current Tourism Advisory Board members
“The guidance and support the tourism board include Stan Anderson, Wall; Tom Biegler*, Sioux
provides the South Dakota Department of Tour- Falls; John Brockelsby*, Rapid City; Ted
ism is critical to the success of the tourism indus- Hustead*, Wall; Ann Lesch*, De Smet; Julie
try in the state,” said Jim Hagen, Secretary of the Ranum*, Watertown; Carmen Schramm*, Yank-
Department of Tourism. “We are fortunate to ton; Frank Smith, Gettysburg; Ivan Sorbel, Kyle;
have leaders to look to for expertise and needs of Steve Westra*, Sioux Falls; and Kristi Wagner,
their respective geographic and business areas.” Whitewood.
The Tourism Advisory Board is appointed by The South Dakota Department of Tourism is
the Governor and includes members of the comprised of Tourism and the South Dakota Arts
tourism industry and citizen representatives from Council. The department is led by Secretary
across the state. Board members serve as liaisons James D. Hagen.
Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 375 • 7900 Lakota Prairie Drive • K yle, SD 57752
www.pineridgechamber.com
4
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
CONTINUED FROM COVER
“Our state does not have
enough workers in skilled
positions,” Daugaard said.
Daugaard spoke about his
Career Launch program that will
help high school students with
apprenticeship and job shadowing
opportunities. Daugaard has the
program up and running in three
locations across the state.
Daugaard added that he is
proposing a plan to allow for
licensing reciprocity with
surrounding states so that
professional licensed in South
Dakota can also use them in
neighboring states. The Cham-
ber’s staff will be traveling to the
Governor’s Tourism conference
this coming week.
Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 375 • 7900 Lakota Prairie Drive • K yle, SD 57752
www.pineridgechamber.com
5
Native POP
Call For Artists
Announcing the call to artists for Interactive learning
Native POP: People of the Plains, a opportunities for the entire family
juried Native art show and cultural Emerging artist recognition and
celebration of the Great Plains prize opportunities
Tribes at Main Street Square, Rapid People’s Choice Award
City, South Dakota on Saturday, What to Expect
July 20 - 21, 2018. Exhibitor hospitality including
Native POP reinterprets the two complimentary lunches, water
traditional art market and celebrates and breaks throughout the day
the historic and contemporary 500 convenient, free parking
values of Native artists. Our art spaces for vendors in adjacent city
market reflects the cultures of the parking garage
Great Plains including the broadly A metro population of more
functional role of art and we than 130,000
embrace all forms of creativity. Both National, regional and local
emerging and established Native event promotion
artists shared their work with 10’ x 10’ booths located on 6th
thousands of people at last year’s Street and inside Main Street Square
event, and we are excited to see the No commission of your sales
talent and joy our sixth year will Eligible participants must be
bring! enrolled members of state or
Native POP began in 2013 as the federally recognized tribes, in
Gathering of People, Wind and accordance with the Indian Arts and
Water and changed its name in Crafts Act of 1990, with preference
2016. The event grew out of an given to artists from Great Plains
ongoing, large-scale work of public Tribes.
art in granite at Main Street Square, Applications due February 19,
Passage of Wind and Water, and 2018. Apply online at the website:
sculptor Masayuki Nagase’s themes www.nativepop.org. Applicants will
of hope, transformation and the be notified on April 2, 2018. For
aspiration of all beings in nature to more artist information or questions
live in balance. on the application, please contact
Native POP Features: Katie Adkins at info@nativepop.org
A Friday night opening event or 605.394.4101 x212.
and juried awards with $17,000 in For media inquiries, please
prizes contact: John Paul Rangel, PhD,
A variety of music and dance Public Relations & Marketing,
performances throughout Saturday johnpaulrangel.phd@gmail.com or
with a concert after the market visit the website www.nativepop.org.
closes
Pine Ridge Area Chamber
a of Commerce
PO Box 375 • 7900 Lakota Prairie Drive • K yle, SD 57752
www.pineridgechamber.com
6
Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 375 • 7900 Lakota Prairie Drive • K yle, SD 57752
www.pineridgechamber.com
7
profiles
ivan Ivan Sorbel is the Executive Director of the Pine Ridge
Area Chamber of Commerce. Prior to being promoted to
sorbEl the Director position, Ivan was employed as the Small
Business Advocate and then the Acting Director. Ivan has
been with the Pine Ridge Chamber since October 2001
shortly after the Chambers inception.
Ivan was born and raised in South Dakota. As the son
of a BIA employee, he has lived on many different
reservations in South Dakota and Nebraska.
Ivan attended college at Central Wyoming College in
Riverton, WY on a rodeo scholarship. He latter transferred
to Chadron State College in Chadron, NE and obtained a
BA degree in Criminal Justice. After college he enlisted in
the US Marine Corps and served for five and half years.
While in the Corps he married and began a family. Shortly
after his discharge he and his wife moved back to the Pine
Ridge Reservation to raise their children.
Sydnee ferguson Kaitlyn Brave Eagle
Sydnee Ferguson is an enrolled member of the Kaitlyn Brave Eagle, is an enrolled member of the
Oglala Sioux Tribe and lives in Kyle, SD on the Pine Ridge Oglala Sioux Tribe. She was born and raised on the
Indian Reservation. She attended Little Wound School reservation. She was raised by her mother Dayna Brave
from the 1st grade to her senior year and graduated in Eagle and influenced by her grandparents Dr. Allen
2010. In the fall of 2010 Sydnee began her college ‘Chuck’ Ross and Dorothy Brave Eagle.
education at Oglala Lakota College where she received Kaitlyn attended Little Wound most of her academic
her Associate of Arts Degree in Office Technology in June years, she graduated in 2010 from there. She attended
2013. In November 2013, Sydnee began working with college at Haskell Indian Nations University. In 2014, she
the Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce as the earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administra-
Administrative Assistant. Sydnee is now currently the tion. She is a fourth generation Haskell graduate.
Community Service Mentor/Events Coordinator who will Kaitlyn is the School Community Coordinator at the Pine
complete her fourth year with the Pine Ridge Area Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce. She enjoys working
Chamber of Commerce in November 2017. She enjoys with our youth and guiding them to achieve after high
her work environment and looks forward to this school.
upcoming year. “Working with the Pine Ridge Area “Let us put our minds together and see what life we
Chamber of Commerce has taught me a lot from working can make for our children.”- Sitting Bull
with Businesses, Tourism, Events, Visitor Centers and
traveling to attend many Conferences and meeting new
people. It has been a great learning experience and I’m
excited to see what PRACC has to offer in the years to
come.” –Sydnee Ferguson
January Rose Mathis Tacie LeBeaux
January Rose Mathis is an Oglala Lakota Sioux tribal Tacie LeBeaux is an enrolled member of the Oglala
member who grew up on and still resides on the Pine Sioux Tribe and has lived on the Pine Ridge reservation
Ridge Reservation. January is the Development her entire life. She began working at the Pine Ridge Area
Coordinator/Book Keeper for Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Chamber of Commerce as a summer intern and
Commerce where she has been employed since March of eventually became the Administrative Assistant. She is
2008. She is a certified VITA volunteer who serves as a also a full-time student at the Oglala Lakota College
tax return preparer, electronic return originator, screener, where she is working on a degree in Business
and quality reviewer. “The best part of my job is being a Administration. While working for PRACC, she has
part of community events (as long as I don’t have to gained experience with businesses on the reservation
speak), offering free tax prep which saves our and has met a lot of great people through the visitor
community tons of money and working with the youth.” center. “Helping my people has always been a passion of
mine and I feel like that is what PRACC is about. I’m
happy to be a part of the team”!
Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 375 • 7900 Lakota Prairie Drive • K yle, SD 57752
www.pineridgechamber.com
8
our valued
members
The Pine Ridge Area Cham-
ber of Commerce thanks all of
our valued members for their
willingness to assist us in
helping to create a sustainable
economy on the Oglala Lakota
Nation.
We are looking for ways to
improve the Buffalo Tracks
newsletter each month. If you
have any ideas on how we can
do that please shoot us a note.
Here is a list of our renewals
and new members.
New Members & Renewals
Abe’s Jerry Saftner Insurance Porcupine Trading Post
AFLAC – Carol Perry Ketel Thorstenson, LLP PRACC Membership renewals
All Season’s Printing KSDZ The Twister Prairie Edge
Angie’s Burrito Lacreek Electric PRYNTCOMM
Bad Face Consulting Lakota Country Times Red Cloud School
Badlands Enterprises Lakota Dreams Simpson’s Printing
Badlands Interior Motel & Lakota Express Singing Horse Trading Post
Campground Lakota Freedom Veteran’s Sioux Funeral Home
Badlands Quilting Cemetery Sioux Nation Shopping Center
Badlands Trading Post Lakota Plains Propane Small Business Administration
Big Bat’s Lakota Prairie Ranch Resort Sound Pro
Black Hill Center for American Lakota Side Camp Ground Studio 35
Indian Health M&S Rentals LLC Subway of Martin
Bob’s Gas Service Mitom, Inc Swire Coca Cola, USA
Brendon Albers Native American Natural Foods Taco John’s of Pine Ridge
Center for American Indian Native West Trading Company Tatanka Rez Tours
Research O’Bryan Contracting, Inc The First National Bank of
Common Cents Grocery Oglala Lakota College Gordon
Craig Co Inc. Black Hills Car OST Partnership for Housing The Food Stop Café
Rentals Pine Ridge Center for Artists Timber Ghost Outdoor Services
DeMerssman Jensen, LLP Pine Ridge Oil Timothy Pishko
Edwards Jones Pine Ridge Retreat Center TK Associates International
First Peoples Fund Pine Ridge Subway Wakpamni B&B
Flying Heart Ranch Pine Ridge Vision Center
Golden West Telecommunications Pinky’s
Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 375 • 7900 Lakota Prairie Drive • K yle, SD 57752
www.pineridgechamber.com
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