Tanya Fiddler is the executive director of Four Bands Community Fund, a Native community development financial institution (CDFI) focused on entrepreneurship and financial literacy development on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation located in north central South Dakota. Ms. Fiddler, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, has served as the executive director of Four Bands since 2002 and has built the organization from the start up phase into a successful, innovative and award-winning organization. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Sciences from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and has 15 years of experience working with Native organizations. Ms. Fiddler is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the 2008 Bureau of Indian Affairs “Entrepreneur Advocate of the Year,” the 2007 Small Business Administration “Minority Small Business Champion for South Dakota and Region VIII,” and the 2007 “Visionary Leader Award for Outstanding Achievement” in recognition of her impact in the CDFI field. She received a Fellowship in the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival in 2008 and has been an active voice in Native community and economic development.
In addition to her role at Four Bands, Tanya is also the Co-Chair for the Native CDFI Network. The Native CDFI Network is a membership network that was established to create opportunities for Native CDFI peer-to-peer learning and to identify Native CDFI policy priorities. She is a frequent speaker and workshop facilitator at regional and national conferences and is a board member of the South Dakota Indian Business Alliance, Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial and South Dakota Rural Enterprise, Inc.
Donita is the youth program and partnerships coordinator at Four Bands. She is a member of the Cheyenne River Tribe. She was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Donita joined Four Bands in October 2007. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Black Hills State University. Prior to joining Four Bands, Donita served as the executive director at Boys and Girls Club of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, a business manager for Sacred Heart Center, and a teaching assistant for the Tribe’s Title 1 Program. At Four Bands, Donita is responsible for the organization’s Wicoicage Sakowin kin un Wicakagapi (Building for the Seventh Generation) program that will result in a sustainable service delivery model for offering money management, entrepreneurship education, and hands-on application opportunities that build long-term employment and life skills of Reservation youth. She also assists the executive director in raising funds to support this youth work. Donita is a member of the Eagle Butte District 20-1 School Board and is a former member of Four Bands’ board of directors.
Cora Mae is the business and finance trainer at Four Bands. She was born and raised on a farm on the Cheyenne River Reservation and is married to a member of the Cheyenne River Tribe. Cora Mae joined Four Bands in June 2003. She completed a master's degree in education and curriculum and a bachelor's degree in business education from Black Hills State University. Cora Mae was a Dean of Academics at the former Si Tanka/Huron University and has more than 20 years of teaching experience on the Reservation. While at Four Bands, Cora Mae has conducted business development and financial literacy workshops attended by more than 600 people. She was instrumental in establishing Four Bands' Individual Development Account (IDA) program. Cora Mae has attended courses and national conferences on creating financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs for youths in economically disadvantages communities. Cora Mae was named the 2008 Outstanding Entrepreneurship Educator by the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education. The recognition is given to an entrepreneurship educator who provides outstanding service to the field of entrepreneurship. She is a certified trainer for Fannie Mae/First Nation's Financial Skillbuilding for Families coursework, co-chairs the Native Financial Education Coalition, and is a former board member for the Eagle Butte District 20-1 school system.
Sherlynn is the loan fund and financial literacy specialist at Four Bands. She joined the organization in September 2009. Sherlynn is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She has an associate degree in administrative systems and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business. Prior to joining Four Bands, Sherlynn worked as coordinator for Reclaiming the Sacred Trust a program of Cheyenne River Tribal Health, office manager for Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Property and Supply, and administrative assistant for Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Child Care Center. Sherlynn assists the program and lending director with day-to-day activities associated with maintaining the revolving loan fund.
Darla is the finance and administrative officer at Four Bands. She is a member of the Cheyenne River Tribe. She was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Darla joined Four Bands in June 2006. She has an associate's degree in both business and computer information from Sisseton Wahpeton Community College. Darla worked for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for 12 years serving as the payroll director, office manager, and business technician. In 2005, Darla was the Employee of the Year for the Tribe. While at Four Bands, Darla has supported annual audits, performed financial and administrative functions, and managed savings accounts for participants in the organization's Individual Development Account (IDA) program.
Nicole is the marketing and development coordinator at Four Bands. She has been coming to the Cheyenne River Reservation since 1999—drawn by an opportunity to work with youth as a volunteer for the Cheyenne River Youth Project. She moved to the Reservation in 2004 and joined Four Bands in December 2005. Nicole is married to a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She has a master’s degree in sociocultural anthropology from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Nicole is the former office manager for Okiciyapi Tipi Habitat for Humanity and has served on Okiciyapi Tipi’s board. At Four Bands, Nicole does marketing, grant proposal development, reporting and results tracking.
Mark is the business success coach at Four Bands. Mark was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Reservation and is married to a member of the Cheyenne River Tribe. Mark joined Four Bands in October 2002 and served as the enterprise manager. He then began providing technical assistance to businesses. He has helped support more than 100 business owners. Prior to joining Four Bands, Mark was the assistant manager of the Tribe's grocery store. He was instrumental in annually doubling the store's net profits. Mark serves on the board of directors for Oti-Kaga, a nonprofit housing organization.
Brittany is the loan officer at Four Bands. She is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Brittany joined Four Bands in January 2010. Her primary responsibility is to manage Four Bands’ revolving loan fund program that provides loan capital to support private business development. Brittany has served as the business manager for the Cheyenne River Health Care Corporation. She has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Black Hills State University.
