‘KEYA WAKPALA’ COMMUNITY TO BE PLANNED BY REDCO AT TURTLE CREEK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Contact: Wizipan Garriott

Email: wizipan.garriott@goldenwest.net

Phone: (605) 856-5090

 

 

‘KEYA WAKPALA’ COMMUNITY TO BE PLANNED BY REDCO AT TURTLE CREEK – PUBLIC INVITED TO SAVE THE DATE AND COME OUT TO SHARE IDEAS ON NEW PROJECT

Community Visioning Meetings in Rosebud, SD and Mission, SD to spark direction on future decision-making for a new community-oriented development

 

Mission, SD– Community members from all walks of life are invited to come out to voice their opinions and share ideas as part of the beginning stages of planning for a new community development, called ‘Keya Wakpala’ (“turtle creek” in the Lakota language) on the Rosebud Reservation of south/central South Dakota. The Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) will host two community meetings on Monday, September 30, 2013 at the Rosebud Community Center in Rosebud, SD (across from the powwow grounds) and on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at the Sinte Gleska University Multi-Purpose Room in Mission, SD. Doors will open at 5pm both days, with the meeting set to end by 8pm. Food/drinks as well as childcare will be provided.

 

“We are going to be on an exciting journey with the development of the Keya Wakpala project and we are counting on the people to help us make sure we are responding to their needs appropriately,” states Wizipan Little Elk, REDCO Executive Director. “We want to do this right, and that means including early on those who will eventually visit, support, work, learn, play and make a life in this community as it grows. We want to hear from anyone who has hope for a quality home, reliable employment, safe place for their kids, access to fresh food, lower utility bills, or supportive place to retire or grow old while still surrounded by a healthy, living community environment.”

 

The Keya Wakpala project will build off of the valuable input of community members and then link up with the various programs, services and funders who can help ensure the growth and sustainability of the master planned community, which REDCO intends to sustainably develop on the lands surrounding the Turtle Creek Crossing Supermarket west of Mission, SD. The ultimate goal of this project is to strengthen the sovereignty and self-sufficiency of the Sicangu Oyate (Burnt Thigh Nation) living on the ancestral homelands of the Great Lakota (Sioux) Nation as well as provide for all people who wish to live and work in support of Lakota lifeways and populations.

 

“This effort is meant to be inclusive from the very start. We are reaching out to our community leaders, spiritual leaders, elected officials, tribal programs and many more,” emphasized Little Elk. “This is a very large project and will take some time, but we have to start building the broad base of shared knowledge and understanding across all areas now if we are to have a solid shot at success.” In this spirit of collaboration, the community meetings have been designed to be flexible, interactive and fun. After a brief overview of the project location and introduction of the REDCO team, attendees will work together to start defining the values and goals for the Keya Wakpala project. There will be many opportunities to share, talk and listen as the path towards making the Keya Wakpala project happen.

 

Those who live, work or do business on the Rosebud Reservation are invited to attend. For more information on the Keya Wakpala Community Visioning Meetings starting at 5pm (both days) in Rosebud, SD at the Community Building on Monday, September 30, 2013 and in Mission, SD at Sinte Gleska University on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 please call REDCO’s main office at (605) 856-5090 or drop by REDCO’s offices located at the AERI facility just east of Sinte Gleska University at 101 Research Park Drive, Mission, SD 57555.

 

 

About the ROSEBUD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:

REDCO is a chartered corporation owned by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and managed by an independent Board of Directors for the purpose of generating revenue for the Tribe and promoting economic development.  Through business management and development, policy development, and community development, REDCO works to create employment, strengthen the local economy, and provide self-sufficiency for the Sicangu Lakota Oyate.  For more information please call (605) 856-5090.

 

KEYA WAKPALA DEVELOPMENT – BRIEF HISTORY:

In 2013, the Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) and project partners committed to the pre-development for a sustainable development on the 600 acres of tribal land comprising the Keya Wakpala Green Development area. The commitment partners will create a master plan for a sequence of projects and multiple phases of construction for a mixed-use development at Keya Wakpala which may include renewable and distributed energy, energy efficiency housing, community supportive facilities, new businesses, and infrastructure projects. After master planning is completed, the project will be accomplished in multiple implementation phases over a longer span of time (15-20 years).

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Keya Wakpala is also part of a commitment made to the Clinton Global Initiative at the 2013 CGI America conference held in June 2013. The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Established in June 2011 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative America (CGI America) addresses economic recovery in the United States. CGI America brings together leaders in business, government, and civil society to generate and implement commitments to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, foster innovation, and support workforce development in the United States. Since its first meeting, CGI America participants have made more than 200 commitments valued at $13.4 billion when fully funded and implemented. To learn more, visit cgiamerica.org.