Building. Growing. Connecting.
Pursuing Possibilities on Pine Ridge
Pine Ridge is a place where so much is possible.
Too often the narrative about Pine Ridge is exclusively a story of poverty, problems, and pity. While it is true that there are many pervasive issues on the reservation, there is also so much of value here. So much worthy of attention, appreciation, and investment.
We offer our 2024 impact report to the Pine Ridge community, and our community of volunteers and supporters across the United States, and around the world.
Many people here are working incredibly hard to create a brighter future that redefines what is possible on Pine Ridge. At Re-Member we aim to support these pursuits and contribute to this trajectory.
We recognize and are grateful for the opportunity to serve this community. To build relationships and pursue possibilities in an organic and sustainable way.
Will Paese
Executive Director
“Places like Re-Member matter. Our work changes lives. We bring people together.”
A Dedicated Group with Deep Ties to Re-Member and Pine Ridge
2024 Leadership Staff
Our team is a wonderful mix of folks who come together every day to make good things happen across the reservation. We believe that amazing things can and are happening here on Pine Ridge.
William Bass
Senior Construction Supervisor
Kimberly Black Elk*
Office Manager & Donation Coordinator
Stephanie Garnier*
Garden Assistant
Wyatt Elwess*
Construction Assistant
Sidney Jealous of Him*
Operations Manager
Emmett Kelly*
Construction Assistant
Lane Miller*
Construction Assistant
Devorah Mlotkowski
Garden Coordinator
William Paese
Executive Director
Nyla Red Cloud Frazier*
Kitchen Manager
Michelle Roberts
Program Manager
Paula Sibal
Trip Coordinator
Jennifer Sklener
Director of Finance & Administration
Cory True
Senior Advisor
*Indicates enrolled tribal member
“There is a rich and vibrant culture that is full of strength and only growing stronger. There is collaborative, supportive and connected community. Traditions are respected and carried forward.”
A Diverse Group of Community Members with Meaningful Insights and Powerful Stories
Cultural Speakers & Presenters
Dakota High Hawk
Inila Wakan
Will Peters
Larry Swalley
Stephanie Garnier
“Responding to immediate needs, we provide resources that improve the quality of life for members of the Oglala Lakota Nation, and create meaningful opportunities to build understanding for our volunteers.”
We Re-Member The Past As We Build A Better Tomorrow With The Oglala Lakota Nation
Our Volunteers
Each year, from March through October, Re-Member brings hundreds of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds from across the United States and around the globe to Pine Ridge for week-long service-learning trips with a strong emphasis on cultural immersion.
We believe that in addition to providing direct, tangible support, the strongest way to promote positive exchange is to build relationships. Through relationship building, our volunteers become advocates to stand in solidarity with the Oglala Lakota people.
During our 31-week 2024 volunteer season (March – September), we hosted 635 volunteers from at least 37 states and five-plus countries.
Re-Member’s 2024 volunteers came from near and far, including the majority of the United States.
In addition to our regular weekly program, we hosted three special program weeks during the 2024 season:
Kids’ Week: Five participants
Healthcare Week: 13 participants
Senior Week: 36 participants
“In a place like Pine Ridge, where so often situations can seem hopeless and insurmountable, it is important that we inspire and recognize opportunities to grow.”
Material Donations, Financial Contributions, and Support of Community-Hosted Events
Community Events
Over the course of the season we made it to seven community powwows, hosted 15 community dinners for artisans and their families, and sponsored or participated in a number of other special events – everything from poetry slams to softball teams.
Hundreds of bins full of clothing and personal care items were distributed, alongside dozens of backpacks filled with school supplies.
One week a year, Re-Member offers a Healthcare Week program. Participants host booths at the Oglala Sioux Tribe Health Fair, which coincides with the Oglala Nation Wacipi (powwow). Our volunteers set up ten booths providing information on various health-related topics such as nutrition, good hygiene, diabetes awareness and fire safety.
“Our work is carried out mindfully to functionally improve quality of life, while educating about and acknowledging a rich history of mistreatment and injustice that informs the challenging issues and lack of opportunity that exist on the reservation today.”
Building A Better Today, Every Day
2024 Projects Completed
Our work is carried out mindfully to functionally improve quality of life, while educating about and acknowledging a rich history of mistreatment and injustice that informs the challenging issues and lack of opportunity that exist on the reservation today.
Together, our staff and volunteers invested more than 9,000 hours of labor to complete more than 300 jobs, including:
200+ beds delivered
40 sets of deck-and-step sets built
37 outhouses installed
25 ramps constructed
15 skirt jobs completed
“In a world full of division, Re-Member connects people across cultures and despite differences. We do what we can without getting in the way - playing our role as asked and as we are able.”
Growing A Healthier Today, And Tomorrow
Feather II Gardens: “The year of the eggplant”
We set another record for produce production, exceeding 1,750 pounds of fresh and nutritious vegetables that were distributed to Porcupine and beyond.
Learn more about supporting our Feather II Gardens
Devorah began a new collaboration with Porcupine Elderly Meals, where almost 100 community elders were introduced to ratatouille – all thanks to the fresh produce coming from just a few miles down the road at Feather II.
A new garden plot was developed between our two high-tunnels. We also framed two additional high tunnels, and will put them into production in 2025, more than doubling our capacity to grow!
Devorah was assisted by Stephanie Garnier this year, and we plan to add a second seasonal garden-assistant position in 2025.
The Re-Member Veggie Wagon Arrives!
During the final days of the 2024 harvest season, Re-Member’s custom-built Veggie Wagon arrived on the reservation.
Designed to bring Feather II produce to the people of Pine Ridge in their own communities, the trailer features large commercial grade refrigerators, ample dry storage space, a three-bay sink. It also contains a hot holding unit for when we take our Community Dinners on the road, providing new opportunities for community engagement and cultural exchange.
We extend our gratitude to the many donors who have long supported the vision of the Veggie Wagon. We look forward to hosting events and distributing produce around the reservation in 2025!
“We build economy with our support of local native-owned business. We build hope for a better tomorrow, by focusing on the promise and possibility of what can be.”
Winter Heating Assistance Program
2023-24 Winter Heating Season
Each winter, we cut, split, and deliver hundreds of truckloads of firewood to homes across the reservation and provide emergency electric assistance and propane assistance, paid directly to utility companies.
During the 2023-24 winter heating season, our trucks traveled more than 15,000 miles in the process of completing 650+ firewood deliveries to all corners of the reservation.
Learn more about supporting our Winter Heating Assistance Program
We also assisted hundreds of households with direct supplemental payments for utilities (propane, home heating oil, and electric service).
“Founded in 1998, Re-Member is among the longest serving non-profit organizations on Pine Ridge and is not affiliated with any religious, political, or policy group.”
Every Dollar Helps Us Accomplish Our Vital Work on Pine Ridge
2023 Audited Financials
We cannot do what we do without the support of our donors. Transparency is the key to our existence.
Additional details about our 2023 financial position can be found on our public documents page.
Support for Re-Member and for the Oglala Lakota people we serve comes in many forms — ranging from online donations to multi-year commitments, and from $5 to 5 figures. All of the support, though, is deeply appreciated and serves to improve the quality of life on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
We humbly ask that you consider a donation in support of our work.
If you prefer to mail your gift, please visit our contact us page for address information.