Winyan Wicohan Coordinator

The Winyan Wicohan Coordinator will provide Lakol wicohan knowledge and guidance to the Lifeways and Wellness Equity Unification of Thunder Valley CDC from the female perspective. The Coordinator will: 1) ensure that Lakota lifeways/cultural relevant protocols and rights are imbedded in each initiative at TVCDC 2) Research, create and guide our organization’s healing journey 3) Assist in the creation of TVCDC Lakol wicohan healing protocol in regards to self, family and community/organization 4)Serve as liaison to ensure positive relations, facilitate idea sharing, engage staff and community to promote healing and wellness.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensure that Lakota lifeways/cultural relevant protocols and rights are embedded in each initiative at TVCDC.
• Research, create and guide our organization’s healing journey -- assist in the development of TVCDC’s healing story and engage individuals, families and community in writing their own healing stories.
• Track the activities of the Lifeways and Wellness division and the progress of their goals; collect and analyze project impact data on a monthly basis.
• Complete required Salesforce data input and analysis.
• Provide ongoing culturally relevant support, coordination, and professional development to TVCDC, specifically for Lifeways and Wellness division.
• Speak with elders and spiritual leaders to identify the appropriate and respectful manner in which to record our teachings
• Research and identify methods to understand connection to how spirituality impacts health and wellness outcomes. Eventually, the new methods will inform regional data profiles around several topic areas: health, education, economy, housing.
• Work with other TVCDC staff to resurrect the TVCDC Artist Advisory Board. The Board can help with planning and implementation of art and culture classes offered to youth, schools and community. Coordinator can lead coordination of class and speaking offerings.
• Work with Lakota Language Initiative staff to identify elders and culture bearers in the community that can help contribute to the building of a Lakota Life course tool.
• To record and document Lakota cultural practices, teachings and ceremonies conducted throughout one’s life, which will inform the Lakota Life Course curriculum.
• Conduct interviews but also share aspects with the community as it is collected through art, storytelling, classes and online resources.
• Reconnect community to this knowledge to promote healing, health and wellness.
• Assist in the development of a Lakota Life course curriculum that is to be shared with staff, schools and in the community.
• Create relationships with local businesses and/or tribal partners to promote community healing in collaboration with TVCDC Community Engagement and Communications teams.