An Introduction and an Update From Pine Ridge

I want to take this opportunity early in the new year to introduce myself and to thank you for your continued support of Re-Member and the people of the Pine Ridge Reservation. My name is Will Paese, and it is with incredible gratitude and excitement that I step into my new role as the Executive Director of Re-Member.

I first came to Re-Member in 2015, as a volunteer on an alternative spring break trip through the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A group of fellow Badgers and myself loaded up in a van and set out for the reservation. I had no idea when I arrived at Re-Member that I was taking the first steps on a path that would stretch much further than I ever could have imagined.

Like so many others, after my first week as a volunteer, I knew I would come back to Pine Ridge. I returned in 2016 as a volunteer before joining Re-Member’s seasonal staff in 2017. After graduating in 2019, I moved out to the reservation to work for Re-Member full-time as a Construction Assistant, was promoted to Operations Manager in 2020, and have been here since.

As I like to say, “I kept coming back, and eventually, I stopped leaving”.

I continue to be inspired and amazed by the resilience of the Oglala Lakota people, the virtues and wisdom of their culture, their sharp wit and quick humor. I have developed a profound appreciation for the rugged beauty of the land, the solemn silences, and the open spaces. I remain disturbed by the horrific realities of the past that have informed the difficulties of the present here on the reservation, where so many have become my friends. It is a great honor and with great humility that I take on this role to continue to champion the cause of all who live here on Pine Ridge.

I am thrilled and determined to continue the good work that Re-Member is engaged in. To keep us on the track that has allowed us to become such an incredible and impactful organization. To guide our growth as we evolve in ways that serve to benefit the Pine Ridge Reservation and the people who live here; and to provide meaningful experiences for all those who walk through our doors as volunteers.

Thank You Cory

I extend my gratitude to our departing Executive Director, Cory True, for all he has done for Re-Member and the Oglala Lakota Oyate of Pine Ridge. His example has been a shining one and I consider myself lucky to have worked with him and learned under his guidance.

Leading a non-profit will always present challenges and Cory’s tenure was certainly not without its own. Crippling blizzards, endless monsoon-like months of rain – mud – and a multi-year global pandemic just to name a few. To successfully navigate such difficulties would be beyond many. Not Cory. Re-Member not only endured through unimaginable circumstances over the past five years but found ways to effectively continue our work and to grow. This is a testament to the entirety of Re-Member’s staff, but most especially to Cory and his leadership.

Cory leaves Re-Member in a better position to serve the people of Pine Ridge today, than when he began as Director. We are grateful beyond measure for his tireless efforts. The lives he has touched are untold and his impact has been profound. As Cory enjoys a much-deserved break, he will be supporting our work (remotely) for the next few months. Many thanks and best wishes to Cory as he takes the next steps in his journey.

We will miss him, but as the Lakota say, it is “toksa” (see you later), not goodbye.

Our Work Continues

I am pleased to announce that former Construction Assistant, Sidney Jealous of Him, has stepped into a new role as our Operations Manager. Sidney has worked for Re-Member since 2021. We are thrilled that he has agreed to take on this new opportunity. If you haven’t had the chance to meet or work with Sidney, he is a fun, talented and committed individual who will do great things in this position. 

Sidney is joined on our operations team by Bill Bass, Lane Miller, and new hire Wyatt Elwess. Along with Kim Black Elk in the office, the team will continue working our winter heating assistance program to cut, split and deliver as much firewood as we are able in the coming months, while also assisting with electric bills, propane and home heating oil. Please consider supporting our work to give the gift of warmth to individuals and families across the reservation.

Join Us

The needs on the reservation are great. Many on Pine Ridge continue to endure the bitter cold of winter without reliable sources of heat. Our list of requests for beds, ramps, decks, trailer-skirting, and outhouses remains long. We rely on the generosity of individuals like you to continue our work and to support those who live here. Whether via an online donation or signing up for a volunteer trip, we hope you will be a part of our story.

If I haven’t already, I would be thrilled to meet you. From myself and our entire staff, we wish you all the best in the new year and hope you will join us as a volunteer in 2024!

Will Paese
Executive Director