Board of Directors
REDCO's Board of Directors consists of innovative and dedicated leaders, committed to fostering economic development and investing in self-sufficiency for the Sicangu Lakota Oyate.
Wayne Boyd
Chairman of the Board
Rodney Bordeaux
Vice Chairman
Nora Antoine
Member of the Board
Oliver J. Semans, Sr.
Member of the Board
Our Values
-
Sustainability: Thinking of the 7th Generation and creating a self-sufficient environment. Moving away from dependence to uphold our sovereignty.
-
Honest, Transparent: Accountable to the community and transparent in our communication in the pursuit of excellence.
-
Professionalism: Being prepared for any situation at any time. Modeling behavior of character and spirit.
-
Dedication: Wholly committed to our mission and purpose.
-
Innovation: Developing new creative ideas and methods, solutions, and methods of thinking in the creation of our products and service offerings.
-
Team Work: The combined action of supporting our team. Working effectively and efficiently together in the pursuit of excellence.
Our Team
Wizipan Garriott
Chief Executive Officer
Clay Colombe
Chief Finance Officer
Johnna Waln
Finance Officer
Mindi Vavra
Chief Operations Officer
Michael LaPointe
Economic Development Specialist
Tracy Shot With Two Arrows
Administrative Assistant
Cecily Vanderwalker
Accounts Receivable Clerk
Jessica Larson
Training Coordinator
Phoebe Amiotte
Staff Accountant
Tamera Medley
Human Resources Director
Dana Ellwanger
Accounts Payable
Sarah Hart
Payroll Administrator
History and Culture
Creation of REDCO
In 1999, the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Government stepped forward to begin reclaiming their right to economic self-determination by establishing REDCO. Designed as the economic arm of the Tribe, REDCO’s purpose is to generate revenue and create economic opportunity for the Sicangu Lakota Oyate and surrounding communities.
History of Oceti Sakowin
Located in what is now known as South Central South Dakota, the Rosebud Indian Reservation is home to approximately 27,000 members of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate (“Burnt Thigh Nation”), also known as the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. As one of seven Lakota tribes, which in turn collectively form one of the seven council fires of the Great Sioux Nation (Očéti Šakówiŋ), the Sicangu Oyate have a proud history stretching back since time immemorial.
Lakota tribes have inhabited the Black Hills and surrounding plains for more than 2,000 years. The Lakota are best known as kind relatives, expert buffalo hunters, and fierce defenders of freedom and land. Incorporation of the horse and modern warfare technology into Lakota culture, guided by strong values of bravery, fortitude, generosity, respect, compassion, and wisdom, allowed the Lakota to become the dominant economic and military force in the Great Plains.
Treaty of Fort Laramie
The Sicangu worked with other Lakota bands to resist the westward expansion of the United States government, forcing the signing of two peace treaties that together established the boundaries the Great Sioux Reservation. The Great Sioux Reservation was established in 1868 by the Treaty of Fort Laramie and encompassed South Dakota, northern parts of Nebraska and eastern Montana.
Broken Treaties
These treaties were broken soon thereafter by the United States, resulting in the “Indian Wars” of the 1870s.
The decimation of vast buffalo herds in the Great Plains, which the Sicangu relied upon for food, shelter, clothing, spiritual items, and primary trade currency, resulted in a decimation of the Lakota buffalo-based economy, and they were unable to mount a sustained resistance. Ultimately the Sicangu, along with the other Lakota tribes, were forced onto their present-day reservations and the Rosebud Reservation was established in 1889. Further theft of prime farming and ranching lands, forced attendance at educationally subpar boarding schools designed to “kill the Indian to save the man,” and over-regulation by the federal government has stifled economic development for generations, resulting in persistent poverty and other socioeconomic challenges.
