Keya Foundation Inc

The Keya Foundation is a 501(c)3 Non profit that serves the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST), located on one of the largest American Indian reservations in the United States — spanning over 4,267 square miles in rural South Dakota. Home to nearly 10,000 residents, our community continues to face deep-rooted challenges due to systemic inequities and generations of underinvestment.

Founded with a vision for community-led change, The Keya Foundation works to build strong partnerships across Cheyenne River through educational and social health initiatives that center and celebrate Lakota identity. We believe that by investing in ourselves, our families, and our homelands, we can build a future that is healthy, resilient, and thriving for generations to come.

The Keya Foundation currently leads nine initiatives addressing a wide range of local needs. Our prevention and youth support models are grounded in local data and cultural knowledge, ensuring sustainability and relevance to our people. Among these, several stand out as key pillars of our work:

Natural Helpers (NH)

In partnership with Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Schools and the Sacred Heart Center, we completed our first year of the Natural Helpers Program, which empowers 6th-grade students to become peer mentors and “good relatives” through culture-driven leadership. The impact has been powerful — students reported increased confidence, stronger peer relationships, and a deeper cultural connection.

Here’s what they shared:

• “Natural Helpers helped me figure out that I enjoy helping people.”
• “It teaches you things about empathy and our culture.”
• “Participating in different activities helped boost my confidence.”
• “The best thing I learned was about the Cansasa Harvest. We learned about traditional tobacco.”
• “I loved letting people know they are seen and can talk to one of the Natural Helpers.”
• “I learned anything is possible if you're patient and have a good attitude.”

Social Development Strategy (SDS)

Through SDS, we offer meaningful opportunities for skill-building and recognition across grades K–12 at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Schools and Windswept Academy. These efforts focus on creating safe, culturally grounded spaces for students to build strengths, connections, and leadership.

Tiospaye Kin Iglukininpi (Reviving the Extended Family)

We are preparing to launch Tiospaye Kin Iglukininpi, based on the Positive Indian Parenting curriculum from the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA). This program reflects the Lakota kinship model — one where parenting is shared across grandparents, aunties, uncles, two-spirit relatives, and the larger tiospaye (extended family).

This is not just about parenting — it’s about restoring belonging, resilience, and community across generations.