ROSEBUD, S.D., July 21, 2026 — The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is planning to build a $4.6 million outpatient behavioral health treatment facility, expanding access for the Sicangu Lakota Oyate to community-led mental health, suicide prevention, crisis intervention and substance use treatment services.
The new 8,400-square-foot behavioral health treatment facility will be constructed adjacent to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s recently completed detoxification center and near the Indian Health Service (IHS) emergency department, creating a comprehensive continuum of behavioral healthcare for tribal members and surrounding communities.
Skyla Fast Horse, Health Director for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Health Administration, said groundbreaking on the new center fulfills a promise to provide culturally grounded, community-led care, strengthens tribal sovereignty in health, and reduces reliance on outside systems.
“These projects are more than buildings and programs—they are a reflection of our values, our responsibility, and our commitment to the wellbeing of the Sicangu Oyate,” Fast Horse said. “Each initiative brings us closer to healing, self-determination, and a stronger future for generations to come.”
The project is made possible through two grants totaling nearly $5.4 million from the Thomas W. Haas Foundation and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The funding supports construction and includes first-year operational costs to ensure services are available immediately upon the facility’s opening.
The facility will house the Wiconi Wakan Health and Healing Center and provide expanded behavioral health services in one centralized location. The design includes seven treatment rooms, three therapy rooms, a family treatment room, reception and waiting areas, a behavioral health call center, administrative offices, and a dedicated traditional healing space.
“Treatment for behavioral health and substance use issues should be as accessible as any other medical service,” said Walter Panzirer, a Trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “Bringing these services into one centralized location will ensure that Rosebud Sioux Tribe members can access a full continuum of care closer to home.”
The new facility represents a significant investment in the future of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate by increasing local access to outpatient treatment, reducing barriers to care, strengthening suicide prevention efforts, and expanding recovery support services within the community.
“This project will improve behavioral health outcomes by increasing access to care tailored to the needs of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe community,” said Wayne Booze, Program Director for the Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Rural Healthcare Program. “The Helmsley Charitable Trust is excited to collaborate with the Tribe and the Thomas W. Haas Foundation to help make this project a reality.”
The center will integrate evidence-based behavioral health practices with Lakota cultural teachings and traditional healing methods, recognizing the importance of spirituality, family, language, and culture in the healing journey. This culturally grounded approach reflects the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s commitment to providing holistic, trauma-informed care that addresses the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of individuals and families.
Native American communities experience some of the highest rates of suicide and behavioral health disparities in the United States. According to available public health data, Native American youth, including those in Todd County, South Dakota, experience suicide rates far above the national average, underscoring the urgent need for accessible, culturally responsive behavioral health services.
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About the Rosebud Sioux Tribe
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe (Sicangu Lakota Oyate) is a federally recognized sovereign Tribal Nation located on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in south-central South Dakota. Guided by the values, traditions, and resilience of the Lakota people, the Tribe is committed to improving the health and well-being of its citizens through culturally responsive healthcare, behavioral health services, public health initiatives, education, housing, economic development, and community partnerships. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe continues to expand innovative healthcare services that integrate modern medical practices with traditional Lakota healing, ensuring future generations have access to comprehensive, community-centered care while preserving the Tribe’s cultural identity and sovereignty.
About the Thomas W. Haas Foundation
The Thomas W. Haas Foundation, based in New Hampshire, is committed to strengthening communities through support for conservation, education, and public well-being. Guided by a spirit of civic responsibility and collaboration, the Foundation partners with local and national organizations to create lasting, positive change. With a focus on equity and inclusion, recent efforts include expanding Tribal health advocacy and supporting regional grantmaking initiatives that uplift underserved voices.
About The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grant making in 2008, Helmsley has committed more than $4.6 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsley’s Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $900 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and two U.S. Pacific territories. For more information, visit helmsleytrust.org.
