Our Staff

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Cindy Giago is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe. Originating from Matȟó Wakpá and residing in Pahíŋ Šíŋte, she is a proud member of the Shangreaux and Ruff Tióšpaye and Ištá Šápa Okólakičhiye. Her leadership is grounded in Lakota values and a lifelong commitment to protecting children and strengthening families.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Oglala Lakota College with emphases in Drug and Alcohol Counseling, Family Counseling, and Criminal Justice, as well as a Master’s Degree in Management with an emphasis in Project Management from Colorado Technical University. She also completed advanced graduate coursework in Education Administration.

Cindy previously served as Dean of Students at Lakota Tech High School, where she advanced trauma-informed and restorative practices to ensure students were supported through healing-centered accountability rather than exclusion. She was also the founding Head of School at Anpó Wičháȟpi Owayawa (Pine Ridge Girls School), helping establish a culturally grounded educational model centered on empowerment, identity, and academic excellence.

Today, her work continues to focus on building strong, culturally rooted systems that support Lakota families and uphold tribal sovereignty — because strong families build strong nations.

Oyáte kiŋ líla wóuŋspe iyúha píkte.

INTERIM DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Aimee is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe who was born and raised in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and comes from the Big Crow, Ruff, Pond, and Irving tióšpayes. She currently resides near the Wounded Knee and Batesland communities. She is a graduate of Pine Ridge High School and holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

Aimee’s professional career reflects a strong commitment to serving children, youth, and families. She began her work as a Family Advocate with Laramie Head Start, where she supported low-income families in achieving financial, educational, and personal goals while their children received early childhood education services. After completing graduate school, she returned home to serve the Pine Ridge community as a K–12 School Social Worker where she served as the Section 504 Coordinator and implemented an Attendance Team. She also enjoyed coaching volleyball and basketball during her time there. 

She later joined Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation, a Native-led grassroots nonprofit, where she served nearly five years as Youth Leadership Development Initiative Director, creating and managing culturally grounded youth programs. In March 2023, she became the Director of Programs and Partnerships for Friends of the Children He Sapa, a long-term professional mentoring program serving youth on the Reservation and in Rapid City.

As Deputy Director for the Tiwahe Initiative, Aimee brings extensive experience in program development, partnership building, and community-centered leadership. She is deeply committed to strengthening systems of support, fostering collaboration, and advancing the health and well-being of Lakota youth and families.

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