From Dream to Reality: Keya Wakpala Woicageyapi Housing Development Takes Shape
Significant progress has been made at the KWW development site, including progress on the construction of the first model home. Once complete, the home will serve as a programming hub where we'll host financial literacy classes, homeowner readiness classes, Lakota language classes, and community conversations. It also allows interested homebuyers to physically experience the unique features of our new homes.
As we enter into Ptanyetu: The Moons of Change (autumn), Keya Wakpala Woicageyapi (KWW) is making significant strides towards creating a vibrant, sustainable, and empowering community on the Rosebud Reservation.
For background, in 2013, the Rosebud Tribal Council gave us a task: transform 590 acres of farmland into a regenerative community development. The vision that has emerged is Keya Wakpala Woicageyapi (KWW), which will bring homes, jobs, businesses, entertainment, essential services and revenue to Rosebud.
KWW’s development journey has been a long and meandering one; but it has been a journey of deep learning, understanding, reflection and hope. Transformation takes time, hard work, long conversations and is often a non-linear process. The world has changed dramatically in the ten years since this task was given to us, how do we ensure that we are creating a community that can and will adapt for the next seven generations?
Drawing from the wisdom and strength of our ancestors and community members, we have a plan for KWW that will be a model for how to thrive in the 21st century and beyond. The multi-use space will become a physical embodiment of the resiliency and self-determination of our people.
The project will utilize a phased approach, and a key component of Phase 1 is a 10-home development. Rosebud is experiencing a well-documented housing crisis, but we believe our people deserve better than FEMA trailers and sub-standard “government homes.”
The homes at Keya Wakpala are unlike anything else in the world. Designed by a Sicangu architect with Lakota customs and traditions in mind, these houses will be a fusion of our past and future; a blend of where we came from and where we will go. They are designed to be highly efficient and designed with the winds and winters of the Great Plains in mind. They are a 21st century tipi.
In August, our construction team assembled the walls for the first model home. This home will serve as a programming house for community events and learning and will be open for interested homebuyers to see, allowing them to feel and experience the difference between what has typically been available and what we are building at Keya Wakpala.
We are in the thick of the construction process and our learning continues. We are using the model to improve all aspects of the process for future homes — from supply chain sourcing to construction techniques.
As that work continues, we are also creating another round of housing designs so that our community members have different home options and price points that will need their needs. We are also completing an updated Housing Needs Assessment, which will include recommendations for future development. Finally, we are finalizing partnerships with Indigenous Community Development Financial Institutions so our people will have equitable access to fair home loans.
Community Members: Interested in owning a home at KWW?
Visit www.sicangu.co/keyawakpala to see the home designs, learn about supports we can offer, and complete the contact form.
Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook to participate in community conversations that will help shape the project. You can also find the recording from a recent Facebook Live event.
Partners and Allies: Want to make a difference at KWW?
We still have significant financial need to make our dream a reality for Phase 1, let alone the entire development. Given the scale of the project, there are almost limitless ways to support or partner.
Send an email to wotakuye@sicangu.co and let’s make it happen!
For media inquiries, please contact Jillian Waln at jillian@sicangu.co.
