OCETI SAKOWIN COMMUNITY ACADEMY

(Rapid City, South Dakota)

Since 2021, NDN Holdings has been developing a K-12 school facility in partnership with NDN Collective Education Equity team and the Oceti Sakowin Community Academy (OSCA). NDN Holdings helped incubate OSCA and worked very closely with the team to get OSCA operational in the Fall of 2022. 

The OSCA board includes expert local Indigenous school administrators and teachers, who are using their experience to create a school that promotes inclusive and diverse education and that is driven by rigorous academics while grounded in the thought and philosophy of the Oceti Sakowin. The OSCA will ensure that all students and school community are holistically well, strong in cultural identity, and academically prepared for post-high school endeavors. 

The school will include powwow grounds, an outdoor star knowledge classroom, and an educational restoration area. It will also be adjacent to a community garden and affordable housing for families. This project is designed to combat the erasure of Indigenous culture and representation within the public school system. OSCA centers Indigenous culture, traditions, and life teachings that will honor our students. 

(OSCA part of the Mniluzahan Community Land Trust)