The Oglala Lakota have been victims of abuses and corruptions for over 150 years which have led to severe food scarcity, health issues, and lack of housing security.

It is our mission to change that. Here’s how:

The traditional Lakota Leadership Structure was based on Servant Leadership. Rather than the top-down structure we see today globally, this is based on a bottom-up organization.

Over the years, Indian Country has experienced corruption due to this top-down structure in organizations and governments. By the time the resources move through the top and “trickle down” to the people, there is not much left and it is not distributed in a fair way - often leading to inter-tribal mistrust, corruption, and a continued scarcity mindset.

We base our organization structure on traditional Lakota values. This is what makes us different, and it is why we will succeed.

Our Guiding Principle:
Seven Tenets for the Next Seven Generations

The Lakota teach that the five basic needs of life are: food, fire, water, shelter, and air. These basic needs are what must be met for an individual to actualize by finding self, and spirit, the final two which make up our seven core tenants at OLCERI.

Without these basic needs met, individuals are stuck in perpetual states of insecurity, poverty, and scarcity - making it harder for them to do good by themselves and others, and leading to all types of psychiatric, physical, and spiritual problems.

Today on Pine Ridge Reservation, these needs are not being met. Learn more about how we are creating generational solutions to meet these basic needs to empower the Oyate.

The “Eden” Model

Our home site in Slim Buttes is actively being designed as a fully off-grid Eco-Ranch designed to represent a “Garden of Eden” model to provide access to affordable, simple, and fun solutions to the 5 basic needs for the community on Pine Ridge Reservation.

Why this model?

We have based our analysis and solutions off of the revolutionary new evidence on addiction, starting with the study by Canadian Psychologist Bruce K. Alexander named ‘Rat Park’.

Here’s How You Can Get Involved!