Who we are

Established in 2022, TiWakan has been advocating for Native American rights and freedoms for our relatives and those most impacted by the justice system.

Fundamental Goals Include:

  • Education and Vocational Training

  • Counseling and Mental Health Services

  • Restorative Justice Practices

  • Community Engagement and Support

Education and Vocational Training

Our program hopes to offer work training opportunities, job search assistance, and connections with union workers for networking and apprenticeships during reintegration.

To help folks moving to a new area community health workers can offer super helpful support, resources, and guidance when looking for new career moves.

Counseling and Mental Health Services

We hope to foster a safe and empowering environment for our relatives by integrating cultural values, traditions, and practices into group sessions. This approach promotes healing and effectively addresses the unique challenges faced by these clients.

By providing community and access to shared resources our folks have another avenue for survival.

Restorative Justice Practices

Our practices center around fostering dialogue and understanding between justice impacted individuals, law enforcement and the community. Through processes like reintegration and encouraging mutual aid, our idea of restorative justice aims to build stronger relatives and promote healing throughout Sioux Falls. 

While traditional justice systems often focus on punishment, we believe restorative justice offers an alternative approach that emphasizes accountability, empathy, and collective well-being.

Community Engagement and Support

Through our advocacy and initiatives such as GOTV and voter education, we can further amplify proper representation and ensure our concerns are included in the political process, leading to more equitable policies and a brighter future for all of our relatives.

“I would hope and plan for a system designed to encourage lower recidivism rates in jails and in prisons by taking a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of criminal behavior, one that focuses on community and getting individuals basic needs met and supporting a successful reintegration into society.”

- Allison Renville, TiWakan Executive Director