Why Sicangu Grown Cannabis Matters
Disclaimer:
Please note that Peji Co is a for-profit business venture under Sicangu Co and operates independently from the nonprofit initiatives of Sicangu Co. Donations to Sicangu Co are not directed to Peji Co and are instead used to support our nonprofit programs and community initiatives.
“Peji Co staff posing in front of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Rosebud Gardens signage on opening day.”
Peji Co is a Sicangu owned and operated cannabis dispensary that opened in November 2024. This new business venture was created to provide safe, high-quality, and locally grown cannabis to the Sicangu Lakota community and its border town communities, ensuring that adults and elders have access to medicinal cannabis without having to travel long distances. Many community members suffer from chronic pain, arthritis, sleep disorders, and other health conditions, and cannabis has been widely recognized for its potential to offer relief. Peji Co fills an important gap by making these products available in a regulated and responsible way, right here in Mission, South Dakota.
“Vibrant green Peji Co cannabis plants thrive under natural light.”
The establishment of Peji Co aligns with Sicangu Co’s broader mission of economic empowerment and self-sufficiency for the Sicangu Lakota Nation. While Peji Co operates as a for-profit business entity of Sicangu Co, it is important to note that no donations made to Sicangu Co go toward Peji Co’s operations. Instead, this business was developed as a revenue-generating enterprise that contributes to the local economy by creating jobs, developing skills, and keeping resources within the community. Rather than relying on outside cannabis companies, Peji Co ensures that economic benefits remain in Sicangu territory and directly support local community members. The dispensary is already profitable and has successfully created multiple jobs in the community.
“The illuminated Peji Co sign stands bright against the night sky, welcoming visitors.”
Beyond its economic impact, Peji Co prioritizes education and safety. The dispensary offers a carefully curated selection of cannabis products, all of which are tested to ensure quality and consistency. Many commercial cannabis products from outside sources contain additives or pesticides, but Peji Co maintains strict cultivation and processing standards to provide clean and reliable products. Trained staff who are Sicangu community members themselves, are available to answer questions and guide customers, especially elders, on safe and responsible use, ensuring that medicinal cannabis remains an accessible and informed choice for those who need it.
“Freshly harvested Peji Co cannabis, showcasing dense, trichome-rich buds with deep purple hues”
Peji Co represents an important step forward in both economic development and community well-being. By investing in locally grown cannabis, Sicangu Co continues to strengthen its commitment to creating opportunities that support self-sustaining businesses and economic sovereignty. This venture not only meets a growing local need but also serves as a model for Indigenous-led business development.
We are proud to say that Peji Co is an assertion of tribal sovereignty and economic self-determination. For decades, state and federal policies have dictated what Indigenous nations can and cannot do on their own lands, often in ways that suppress economic opportunity and traditional knowledge. The Sicangu Lakota Nation is choosing a different path which empowers Sicangu leadership to exercise its sovereign right to regulate and operate a cannabis industry that serves its own people. Peji Co is a direct example of what self-governance looks like in action by creating jobs, generating revenue, and providing medicinal plant access on Lakota terms, not state-imposed limitations. We are consistently working toward reclaiming our right to build a future that aligns with Lakota values and community needs in all that we do. We are excited to share this milestone with our supporters and look forward to Peji Co’s positive impact on the Sicangu Lakota Nation.
Keya Wakpala Woicageyapi to host their 1st Annual Unci Maka Event!
Keya Wakpala Woicageyapi (KWW) is excited to announce their
First Annual Uncí Maka Event!
This will be a special gathering designed to connect, engage, and educate the Sicangu Lakota Oyate on efforts to restore, conserve, and protect the Keya Wakpala Woicageyapi (KWW) Wetlands.
This free, family-friendly event centers our relationship with Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth) through positive, meaningful, nature-based, and culturally aligned experiences. It’s an opportunity to uplift the KWW Wetlands as a key feature of Keya Wakpala and celebrate our deep connection to the land.
Event Highlights:
- 5K Walk/Run
- KWW Wetlands Open House
Nature-based and culturally-rooted activities:
- Mini tipi making
- Seedling starting for families who want to pursue their own home gardens
- Interactive learning stations for all ages, led by numerous community partners
This event will be a chance to come together as a people to honor our ecosystems, share knowledge, and build a stronger, land-based future for generations to come.
Wopila for all of your love and support!
