Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Project

The former Simply Smiles Children’s Village (SSCV) was originally constructed to provide foster/kinship care. SSCV then closed for approximately three years before the development of Tiwáhe Glukinipi Otipi. Tiwáhe Glukinipi Otipi (meaning, family – to restore – dwelling/ home) is a “turn-key “facility ready for immediate use. 

As Lakota people, our goal is to create a state-of-the-art family restoration center.

Tiwáhe Glukinipi Otipi will be a culturally responsive family restoration center designed to meet the unique needs of our people. It will be self-sustainable and will be designed to complement itself. We plan to utilize our tribal sovereignty to provide services not only for those living in our village, but for those living within the community. 

The Was’agiya Najin Grandmother’s group has played an integral role throughout the entirety of this project.

Here is a snapshot of the current village infrastructure:

Village Infrastructure: Constructed 2019-2022

• 8.04 acre property 

• 3 foster homes / 4 bedroom / 3.5 bath / 1 story / 2,244 sf + porch / fully furnished / appliances  

• Office & counseling space / 1.5 bath / 1 story / 700 sf / furnished 

• Garage-Shop / 5,200 sf / 14’ walls / concrete floor / electric service  

• Concrete drive / 15,700 sf — Gravel drive / 10,000 sf 

• Utilities: water, electric, propane, septic, phone, fiber optic internet 

• Landscaping: fencing & gates, south-side privacy fence, grass, trees, basketball hoop

• Inipi / sweat lodge 

• Whole site backup propane powered generator  

Tiwáhe Glukinipi Otipi will strive to:

• Hire local community members (Native American preference).

• Offer a child placement option on Cheyenne River that fulfills ICWA.

• We will continue to support the reunification of children with biological family.

• We will prioritize keeping sibling groups together.

• We will inspire and empower the children in our care to define themselves as Lakota.

• We will provide access to high-quality education.

• We will foster tomorrow’s Native leaders and role models.

• We will create a scalable model that can be replicated throughout South Dakota and Indian Country.

• We will utilize tribal sovereignty to bypass state sanctions for more freedom. 

• We will facilitate healing through the provision of mental and spiritual health services for every child and elder in our care.

• We will provide a safe, inspiring, resource-rich environment for children and the elderly.

In the future we hope to:

• Build a 4th, 5th and possibly 6th house.

• Become accredited to provide the local community with essential life skills and education to thrive.

• We will host cultural sensitivity trainings for the state to ensure the state is learning culturally responsive strategies to meet the needs of our people on a larger scale.

• Open house #4 for daycare funded by the tribe. This will allow the local community and grandmothers to utilize a much-needed service.

• We plan to build programs based on Lakota virtues for community engagement. We will assist elders (Generosity) in our community with meeting basic needs (food, shelter, water), we will ensure our land is cared for.

• Move a 5th and 6th house on-site per the grandmother’s group, tribal treasurer and working groups efforts for assisted living, emergency shelters to strengthen the village by increasing more housing/ resources. Our children and elders are sacred, and we can come together and support one another at the village to continue fostering resilience. This helps our tribe alleviate housing issues on our reservation.

• Create a grandfather’s group for healthy male role models (hunting, fishing, etc.).

• Continue partnering with CRST Game Fish and Parks for Buffalo, Elk and Sacred Medicines. This ensures healthy food options for our village and supports the philosophy of epigenetics.