SVDN celebrates new government building

An official celebration marked the opening of “Oyate’ Omnic’iya Tipi” or “The Peoples Meeting Lodge” in the community of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. This new building was completed in 2021, with finishing touches in the interior décor and signage on the exterior done quite recently. SVDN’s departments for Governance, Finance, Membership, Social Assistance, Human Resources and Chief & Council are all contained within the three-stories.
At this Grand Opening held on Thursday, May 26, Chief Jennifer Bone addressed the crowd, followed by Council members Jon Bell, Tim Whitecloud and Michelle Rosmus. 
Dignitaries and distinguished guests, some bearing gifts, congratulated the community on this handsome and functional new centre designed and built by Keller Construction of Brandon. 
Evan Keller stepped to the mic thanking the council for the opportunity to create this important building, one of several that Keller has built here including the community hall next door.
Attending the ribbon cutting were AFN Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse, Keeseekoowenin Chief Norman Bone representing the West Region Tribal Council, Canupawakpa Chief Lola Thunderchild, Brandon City Council member Jeff Fawcett. 
Light refreshments were served and guests toured the new building. The hallways and offices are adorned with indigenous art work, sculptures and traditional items. Another tour was arranged and many took the opportunity to see SVDN’s bison herd which includes eight white buffalo, the most recent born just this year.
Stepping in through the teepee themed entrance way there’s a large reception area. A peaceful order prevails throughout Oyate’ Omnic’iya Tipi. Indigenous art and artifacts adorn the halls and an ornate bison skin hangs in the council chamber. There are 19 offices, a training room, a windowed council chambers with a view of the valley and three smaller meeting rooms. 
Offices opened in January 2022 as, one by one, staff began to move to their new workstations. Now, some 40 staff work within this building that will serve as the SVDN governance centre for years to come.

For more details and photos click here.