Jerica Widow (Tasunka Gleska Yuhan Najin/Stands with her Spotted Horse) is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and a member of the Mnicoujou Lakota Band. Born and raised on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, she graduated from Takini High School in 2007 and went on to study early childhood education at Oglala Lakota College.

Jerica began working with children and families in 2009 through the South Dakota Department of Social Services and Child Protection Services. She joined CRYP in 2014 as a programs assistant, was promoted to programs coordinator and became programs director in 2018.

Today, Jerica is responsible for CRYP’s youth and teen programming. She supervises the programs team and oversees a wide range of opportunities for young people, from signature programs such as Passion for Fashion and Midnight Basketball to seasonal activities and special events.

Jerica also helps lead CRYP’s teen internship program, which allows young people to explore Lakota culture, wellness, art, social enterprise and other areas while developing leadership and workforce skills. She also supports seasonal Lakota culture and healing camps at CRYP’s Wakanyeja Kin Wana Ku Pi (The Children Are Coming Home) property adjacent to sacred Bear Butte.