Weep not for Tatewin Means. Just a week after missing her shot at running state law enforcement, the multi-talented Means gets to run Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation on Pine Ridge!
Current Thunder Valley CDC director Nick Tilsen announced on February 1 that he would be stepping away from the leadership role he has occupied since he helped found the organization in 2007. Means takes the reins of a group that does a lot of good for the Lakota people:
Thunder Valley programs include new housing development, workforce training, arts groups and facilities, Lakota language education, a local foods initiative, and others. A “regenerative community development” project calls for the construction of scores of single-family homes and apartments on a 34-acre tract that will include a grocery store, artist studios, and public spaces.
In a region of chronic unemployment and sometimes extreme economic strain, Thunder Valley employs approximately 60 fulltime and 60 part-time workers [Tim Marema, “Thunder Valley Announces New Chapter for Native American CDC,” The Daily Yonder, 2018.02.01].
Having Means as our Attorney General candidate would have given Native American issues a spotlight in our discussion of law enforcement in South Dakota But running all the programs Thunder Valley offers should give Means a chance to have a more immediate impact on the lives of her friends and relations than running around the entire state campaigning this fall against Jason Ravnsborg and the slimy Republican propaganda machine.
Ms. Means is the right person to replace the hard working Mr. Tilsen. For those who do not know of the Thunder Valley project, it is just to the North of Sharp’s Corner. I look forward to seeing more of the project continue as it is doing very well at present. Indeed having Ms. Means as the Attorney General would have been fantastic, but having her still working for progress at Thunder Valley says that she is still very active.
For those who are interested, so South from Scenic onto the Pine Ridge Reservation. Turn left at Rocky Ford (there is a large school facility there) and head on toward Sharp’s Corner. On the right, you will see Thunder Valley project. Cool buildings. If you want to continue, keep going south past Evergreen and then Porcupine before coming to Wounded Knee. If you continue, you will hit highway 18 to either go to Pine
Ridge or East to Martin.
If you are hungry, forgot this. At Sharp’s Corner, you can go East to Kyle and get some good taco’s there (very good ones). Stop at the Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce and check out that place, beautiful artwork there and a very friendly staff, then off past Potato Creek and then the intersection that will take you to either the Badlands or to Interior. A very beautiful drive now, with much tall lush green grass and views of beauty all along the way.
In my experience the drive Jerry describes is an extraordinary drive that first takes you through a portion of the badlands and then to some absolutely beautiful countryside in the spring and early summer.
Another nice trip is to go south(?) out of Kyle toward Allen, and on past the American Horse school. It is a beautiful country road from Kyle to Allen, although the last time I was there a few years ago the road out of Allen toward highway 18 got a bit rough due to heavily worn pavement.
Are you talking US Hiway 18? The one that runs east and west about 10 miles North of mike from iowa?
Mr. jerry should add that when you drive that drive, which as he points out is a wonderful drive, make sure you do so with a full tank of gas. And stop and read the historical markers and view the views often, imagining the small time man has been chewing some of the most beautiful ground, when you think of the eons gone by.
Yes, that would be US highway 18. Great road all the way across from your place mfi. You an fuel up in Martin and make the trip in good stead. Also, fuel in both Kyle and Sharps Corner.
bcb, it is especially beautiful right now with the moisture.
Howz this for scenery with moisture? https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2018/06/22/northwest-iowa-flooding-little-rock-river-train-derailment-mandatory-evacuation-lyon-county-doon/724618002/
Little Rock River is connected to the Rock River. The Rock River is connected to the Big Sioux. The Big Sioux is connected to the Mighty Mo and off to the Gulf Alberta crude goes with the flow.
Ms. Means is such an outstanding woman. So smart, dedicated, educated, wise. South Dakota is extremely lucky to have her.
Downstream of South Dakota. Bad for those people. Pipelines are best, trains are bad. They are bad.
That is some ugly stuff there mfi. I have to wonder who the genius was that allowed that train to pass over that saturated ground. They should be dismissed over that huge mistake.
Grudz if you look at the pics you’ll see indications of a recently installed oil bearing pipeline. This train probably tripped over it.
West Middle School in Rapid City, South Dakota, used to have the mascot name “Warriors” Then Ms. Means went to school there. She found the name offensive much like most Native American’s feel about these kinds of naming mascots off the reservations. So she did something about it. She organized and what do you know, today when you drive by the school, it now says West Middle School home of the “Wolves”.
She is the real deal and will do much to make Thunder Valley a very strong and lasting enterprise. Go check it out. As Mr. grudznick has said, fill up the tank and enjoy the ride to the place as well as the surrounding areas. A lot of good folks around there so go for it.
Watch them sneaky Cornshuckers from Nebraska. They set up a mountain lion hunting season and want to take 8 of them from the Pine Ridge area.
Stop at Thunder Valley. Everyone is welcome. They will take time to show you the efforts going on. The positive staff, amazing construction and training, the local and national partners, the small and large enterprises, the joy, the true change happening. It is exciting, real and uplifting. And based on the belief that hard work and love can heal and grow.
Bearcreekbat, they have fixed that road through Allen now. The whole drive from Kyle through Allen to Highway 18 is a very nice drive and beautiful scenery.