Workforce Development Initiative - Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation proposes a Workforce Development Initiative designed to serve Lakota young adults ages 18-26 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The project will provide comprehensive training in bison herd management and regenerative agriculture through a structured six-month course delivered to three cohorts of ten participants over three years. The program combines hands-on technical training with Lakota cultural teachings and practical job readiness skills. Participants will gain experience in areas such as herd management, rotational grazing methods, and land restoration techniques while working at Range Unit 506, a 39,904-acre commercial grazing unit. The initiative includes wraparound support services, mentorship, and career pathway development. Through partnerships with organizations like Turner Ranches, Knife Chief Buffalo Nation Society, and Oglala Lakota College, the project aims to create viable employment pathways while strengthening connections to Lakota cultural practices and values.
