Executive Director,
Cheyenne River Reservation,
South Dakota
Tatanka Luta’s mission is the action for who we are, it is the voice for our community, all of our communities, for the future generations.
Prior to joining the Board of Directors for Tatanka Luta, Joni worked as a Nursery Aid at Unki Takoja Oti providing healthy, safe, interactive place for children to grow. She worked as a Headstart Teacher at CRST in Eagle Butte, at SRST in Fort Yates, and at Oglala Lakota College where she taught daily activities and life skills, implemented Lakota language, values and culture, and provided lesson planning and delivery of their curriculum.
As an outreach coordinator, Joni went into her surrounding communities to talk with youth and adults about meth addiction, provided prevention activities, daily plans, and opened up communication to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to share information and create solutions for families and friends with substance abuse.
Joni worked as a para professional for the Takini School providing assistance to children kindergarten through 12th grade in reading, math, and math. She worked with a team of teachers and classrooms, assisted the coaching of the girls basketball team, with Lakota cultural activities, and was always willing to step and and do whatever needed.
Joni is happily married to Joe, resides in Cherry Creak with their 5 children, Bret, Seth, Cole, Belle, and the most recent addition is beautiful little Sophie.
CONTACT: joni@tatankaluta.org