TURTLE CREEK CROSSING – A model home will soon be available to showcase features available to potential tribal citizens interested in financing a new dwelling on the Rosebud reservation.
The model home will also serve as the site of Sicangu Co’s Lakolya Waoniya program, a Lakota language revitalization program for local tribal citizens. A recent post on Sicangu Co’s Facebook page announced the plans to move the Lakolya Waoniya staff into the new site as soon as construction is complete on the house. When the program launched in 2020, they met in a small area within the Sicangu Co headquarters located east of Mission. The program subsequently moved to a small modular on Highway 18 in Mission, where they are currently located. Lakolya Hohpi Otipila (Language Nest), is the new name given to the house, which was blessed last month.
When construction is finished, “we want to have events for everyone to come look at [the model home],” stated Clay Colombe, Sicangu Co CEO. He spoke at a recent Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council meeting.
Ten new homes are currently in the planning stages for construction at the site, located north of the Turtle Creek Crossing Super Foods grocery store. The Keya Wakpala Woicageyapi (Turtle Creek Regenerative Development) will be a living community located just west of Mission that will nourish the Sicangu spirit and way of life. The first homes to be built at the site will include single family structures offering one to three bedrooms. Some of the homes will be sold as “grow homes.” These homes will allow for the future addition of up to five total bedrooms to a house.
“Sixty-six people have inquired about the first ten homes and we have several people already in process of getting financed [to purchase a home],” Colombe said. Prices are different depending on what the buyer wants. A wait list currently exists for the homes. The one-bedroom A-Frame home will cost the buyer an estimated $180,785. A two bedroom grow home (meaning more bedrooms can be added) will cost around $220,495. The three bedrooms grow home will be available for an estimated $244,530. Financing and subsidy options are available for qualified buyers.
More information is on the Keya Wakpala website. You may also call Sharli Colome at Tatanka Funds 605-856-8400 or email sharli.colombe@tatankafunds.org
Sicangu News 
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