Our Story

Thunder Valley CDC was inspired and incubated

by a group of youth and young families

that were reconnecting to cultural spirituality and identity through

spiritual ceremonies.

This reconnection to spirituality was supported by the Thunder Valley spiritual circle. It was our involvement in those ceremonies that inspired us to do more for our communities and for our people. We are a grassroots community development corporation that is guided by the needs and ideas of our community.

Our values are deeply rooted in Lakota values and the continued engagement of our community in this project.

Join us as we celebrate the 1st annual Wakíŋyaŋ Opȟa Oškáte, or Thunder Valley Festival, on Saturday, August 10th!

“If we want our children to be successful, we need to create the space for them to succeed,” said Scotti Clifford, local musician and band member of Spirits Cry. “That’s what Thunder Valley is dedicated to do!” 

This year’s Wakíŋyaŋ Opȟa Oškáte will launch with a FREE music concert starting at 7PM—lawn chairs welcome.  In addition, we will have food vendors and tours of the Thunder Valley CDC regenerative community development.  The celebration will take place alongside the Indigenous Film Festival at the newly opened Thunder Valley Community Center and Bunkhouse located at 672 Thathanka Iyotaka Ave, Porcupine, SD 57772—in the regenerative community development.

“We want to provide a space for creativity and what better way to do that than promote our Indigenous artists.” – DeCora Hawk, Director of Community Engagement for Thunder Valley CDC and event organizer.

Wakíŋyaŋ Opȟa Oškáte is a model for celebration and wóphila to our community through arts and culture.   As we build an ecosystem of opportunity that is intentionally disrupting the status quo we are focused on healing ourselves and our communities on the Pine Ridge Reservation.   Art is a cornerstone of healing and is deeply rooted in our cultural identity as Lakota people.  By creating these models of change we will overpower intergenerational traumas and build momentum towards equity and liberation.

For more information contact DeCora Hawk, director of community engagement, at decora@thundervalley.org  OR  Willi White, director of communications, at willi@thundervalley.org or call (605) 455-2700.