Throughout the Cheyenne River Youth Project’s lifetime, the organization and its leadership have been consistently recognized at the state, regional and national levels for their mission-driven work. Every award represents a collective win for our staff and volunteers, the resilient children who inspire our work, and the community that remains dedicated to the next seven generations.

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Americans for the Arts – Selina Roberts Ottum Award for Arts Leadership (2022)

Vital Village Fellowship (2022)

The Gratitude Network’s Gratitude Fellowship (2021)

Americans for the Arts – Arts Education Award & PAN Year in Review (2019)

Tim Wapato Public Advocate of the Year (2019)

Bush Foundation Community Creativity Cohort (2018)

David Rockefeller BCA pARTnership Award (2018)

Bush Fellowship (2016)

Bush Prize for Innovation (2015)

Cordes Fellowship / Opportunity Collaboration (2015)

National Indian Education Association Community Service Award (2015)

Native Nations Rebuilders Fellowship – Bush Foundation (2012)

Hopa Mountain Native Nonprofit Leadership Program (2011)

Spirit of Dakota Award (2009)

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Community Services Award (2006)

U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee Testimony (2005)

Garden Crusader Award – Garden Supply Company (2005)

National Museum of the American Indian Honor Wall (2004)

Champion for Children – South Dakota Coalition for Children (2002)

Father Hogebach Service to Native American Children Award (1995)

Presidential Points of Light Award (1993)

South Dakota Governor’s Volunteer of the Year Award (1992)

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Beyond these specific honors, our leadership has been called upon to serve in advisory roles for organizations such as Arts South Dakota, the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance, the South Dakota Commission for National and Community Service, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Advisory Council and the Fairy Godmother’s Fund Council.