C̣aƞṡayapi
We support cultural, health, and economic sovereignty for Native Nations and underserved communities through advocacy, education, and community-led initiatives that restore balance between people, land, and economy.
Our Programs
Knowledge Sharing
Produce video podcasts, seminars, and conferences to advance cultural, health, and economic sovereignty.
Workforce Development
We provide online and in-person job training in sustainable construction and regenerative building practices.
Community Development
We support the design and construction of community buildings, such as schools, rooted in Indigenous values.
Advocacy for Wellness
We promote behavioral wellness treatment as a core part of employment health benefits, addressing trauma and stress.
Our Story
Can you build affordable housing, cut greenhouse gas emissions and bootstrap a strapped community all at once? On the plains of Minnesota, the C̣aƞṡayapi (Lower Sioux Indian Community) has the answer.
And it starts with hemp.
Meet the Stewards
Vanessa GoodThunder (C̣aƞṡayapi Dakota)
Vanessa is a nationally recognized leader in Native language revitalization and youth empowerment. As Director of the C̣aƞṡayapi Waḳaƞyeza Owayawa Oṭi (Lower Sioux Early Head Start and Head Start), she has helped establish one of the nation’s first Dakota-language immersion programs for young children. She was named a Champion for Change by the Aspen Institute’s Center for Native American Youth, and her work is grounded in restoring Dakota language, culture, and sovereignty for future generations.
Kristi Schoen (C̣aƞṡayapi Dakota)
Kristi is a trusted community organizer and advocate for family wellness in the Lower Sioux Indian Community. Her leadership spans education, housing, and social services, where she emphasizes relational accountability and culturally grounded care. Kristi’s work reflects a commitment to ensuring that Dakota families have access to safe housing, language and cultural resources, and holistic pathways to wellness.
Danny Desjarlais (C̣aƞṡayapi Dakota)
Danny Desjarlais is a cultural leader and builder dedicated to restoring housing sovereignty through sustainable construction. He is a founder of the Green Buffalo Foundation and plays a central role in advancing hemp-lime (hempcrete) housing as a path toward healthier, more affordable homes for Tribal Nations. Drawing on years of hands-on building experience and a deep commitment to Dakota self-determination, Danny works at the intersection of workforce development, cultural revitalization, and regenerative economies.
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