Board of Directors

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 Vanessa Plume is the Co-Founder of Plume Inc., Co-Founder of Alpha One Fire & Rescue, Co-Owner of Iron Plume Ranch, LLC, and a trailblazing law enforcement leader whose career embodies dedication, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to public safety. Over the years, she has worn many hats—beginning as a patrol officer, advancing to Lieutenant, moving into criminal investigations, serving as Sheriff of Oglala Lakota County, and later as Captain of Police for the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vanessa exited the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and joined the Oglala Lakota County Sheriff’s Office, where her professionalism and leadership led to her appointment as Sheriff—the first woman to ever hold this position in the county’s history. Once the pandemic began to slow, she returned to the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety to continue serving in a leadership role.

Known for being by the book and extremely thorough, Vanessa has built a reputation for professionalism, fairness, and attention to detail in every aspect of her work. Being a woman in charge, she has faced her fair share of roadblocks, but instead of deterring her, these challenges sharpened her critical thinking skills and made her one of the Department of Public Safety’s most reliable and dependable female law enforcement officers.

Vanessa’s visionary approach truly emerged when she became part of the Plume Family. Together with her husband, she founded Plume Inc., a small 501(c)(3) nonprofit that yielded big results in First Responder work—creating Wounded Knee’s first fire department capable of handling highway rescues with the jaws of life, as well as wildland and structural fire response.

From that foundation, Vanessa demonstrated that she was not only a leader but a visionary thinker—someone who could reimagine rural emergency services, inspire future leaders, and bridge her law enforcement expertise with broader community development. Building upon the success of Plume Inc., she co-founded Alpha One Fire & Rescue, a volunteer-based organization built on the principle of unity—“to lead as one.” Alpha One has become a cornerstone for safety and resilience in the region, not only responding to emergencies but also providing fire safety education, creating advanced training opportunities for volunteers, and opening pathways for youth to engage in public service.

While managing her demanding career, Vanessa is also pursuing a Business Degree through Oglala Lakota College. She believes that when she has achieved all her lifelong goals in law enforcement, her education and experience will open new opportunities for leadership and development.

Her credentials include an extensive portfolio of certifications, with one of her most notable achievements being the completion of 6 rigorous weeks of FBI investigative training in Brunswick, Georgia. This advanced program sharpened her investigative expertise and cemented her ability to operate at the highest levels of law enforcement.

From the earliest days of her career, Vanessa dreamed of accomplishments that once felt out of reach. Now, with those accolades in hand and a visionary outlook shaped by both her career and the Plume Family, she continues to serve her community while exploring ways to contribute beyond the badge. Whether in law enforcement, nonprofit development, or community empowerment, Vanessa remains dedicated to making a positive, lasting impact.

 Dr. Richard L. Zephier is a respected Oglala Lakota leader, scholar, and international advocate whose life’s work has been dedicated to advancing sovereignty, justice, health, and education for Indigenous Nations. Known for his ability to see initiatives through with integrity and persistence, Dr. Zephier’s leadership has been marked by a career of results—ensuring his community thrives forward.

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science – Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD (1969)

Master’s Degree in Educational Administration – Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (1971)
Ph.D. in Educational Administration – Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (1983)
Master’s Degree in Business Administration – University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ (2009)

Dr. Zephier’s professional career spans more than four decades, crossing education, healthcare, policy, and governance. His executive leadership has been grounded in accountability, vision, and community-centered outcomes:
Principal, Porcupine Day School – 2024–Present
Director of Planning Office, Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota (2015–2018)
Chief Executive Officer, James Bear Ghost Indigenous Policy Foundation (2014–2015)
Superintendent, Oglala Lakota County Public School District 65-1 (2009–2013)
Chief Executive Officer, Native Health (2007–2009) – supervised by Walter Murillo (then CFO, now CEO)
Superintendent of Schools, United Auburn Indian Community, California Rancheria (2005–2006)
Chief Executive Officer, Desert Visions Youth Regional Treatment Center (2003–2005)
Chief Executive Officer, Santa Fe Indian Hospital, U.S. Public Health Service / Indian Health Service (1999–2003)
Chief Executive Officer, ACL Hospital, Indian Health Service (1994–1998)

At every post, Dr. Zephier proved himself as a leader who could manage complex organizations, navigate challenges, and leave behind systems stronger than when he arrived. His reputation rests on delivering results, creating accountability, and building trust with the communities he serves.

As Director of the Oglala Sioux Tribe under the Brewer Administration, Dr. Zephier strengthened governance and sovereignty. Today, he continues this commitment as a board member of KILI Radio, ensuring Lakota voices remain at the center of cultural preservation and education.

On the international stage, he represented the Oglala Sioux Tribe at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, where he challenged global powers on treaty violations, land rights, and resource exploitation. His presence demanded recognition of the Lakota Nation’s rights under international law and carried the voice of his people to a global platform.

Dr. Zephier’s career reflects a deep commitment to the overall health and well-being of his community—from leading hospitals and health organizations to improving tribal education systems. He understands that health is not only physical but social, cultural, and economic, and his leadership consistently seeks to create opportunities where his people can thrive in all aspects of life.

In 2018, Dr. Zephier ran for the presidency of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Had he been elected, he would have been the first tribal president to hold a Ph.D. While the community was not yet prepared for the scale of change he envisioned, his candidacy embodied a forward-looking agenda of sovereignty, transparency, and reform.

He also recognizes that Community Development Corporations (CDCs) are a powerful vehicle for lasting progress. By aligning with Crazy Horse Community Development, Dr. Zephier identified an organization capable of carrying forward the caliber of change necessary to ensure his people not only endure but prosper.

From hospitals to schools, from tribal governance to the United Nations, Dr. Richard L. Zephier has dedicated his career to building systems that endure. His leadership is defined by vision, trustworthiness, and the ability to deliver meaningful, lasting results. Above all, he remains committed to seeing his community thrive—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

David "Tally” Plume is an energetic visionary in Oglala Lakota leadership—respected for his strategic thinking, fearless advocacy, and unwavering commitment to building a stronger, more self-sufficient Nation. His work spans decades of service in education, economic development, public safety, tribal governance, and grassroots organizing, making him one of the most influential and results-driven leaders in the Wounded Knee District and beyond.

Tally holds a Master’s Degree from the University of South Dakota, bringing both academic expertise and lived experience to his leadership roles. His education has equipped him with advanced skills in organizational management, strategic planning, and policy development—tools he has applied to drive measurable results in his community.

Much of Tally’s leadership spirit and sense of responsibility comes from his mother, Shirley Plume—a deeply respected figure in the Wounded Knee District. Shirley instilled in him the values of service, resilience, and cultural pride from an early age. Her dedication to the community, her ability to speak truth to power, and her tireless advocacy for the Oglala Lakota people shaped Tally’s own determination to protect sovereignty and create opportunity for future generations.

Tally gained prominence when he was hired as the new Porcupine Day School Principal. Within a year, he established the school as a Year-Round School—solidifying his vision and making history as the first to implement year-round education in the State of South Dakota. This bold move demonstrated his ability to challenge the status quo, innovate in education, and set new standards for student achievement and community engagement.

He later served as Executive Director of the Oglala Oyate Woitancan Empowerment Zone (OOWEZ), where he secured resources, built partnerships, and developed initiatives aimed at revitalizing the Pine Ridge Reservation economy. His leadership brought new infrastructure projects, small business support, and opportunities for local employment—laying a foundation for long-term growth.

Tally represents the Oglala Lakota Nation on the Indians Into Medicine (INMED) Tribal Advisory Board at the University of North Dakota, where he shapes policy discussions on Indigenous health, education, and workforce development. He has testified before the South Dakota State–Tribal Relations Committee and the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, pressing for stronger healthcare systems, improved infrastructure, and the protection of tribal sovereignty.

In addition to his policy and development work, Tally serves as a board member of KILI Radio, the voice of the Lakota Nation, he has helped ensure that community news, cultural programs, and emergency communications remain strong and accessible.

Tally is equally impactful in the digital space. As an administrator and contributor to prominent Native-led forums and community groups, he shares critical information, challenges misinformation, and mobilizes grassroots action. His online presence mirrors his real-world leadership: decisive, informed, and unafraid to confront difficult truths.

An energetic visionary, a protector, and a builder, David “Tally” Plume leads with the vision of an Oglala Lakota Nation that stands united, prosperous, and self-determined. Every role he has taken—whether at the negotiating table, in a Senate hearing, in a principal’s office, or on the streets of his community—has been guided by one unwavering goal: to create lasting change for his people.

Call for Board Members – Crazy Horse Community Development Corporation

The Crazy Horse Community Development Corporation (CHCDC) is inviting applications for positions on its Board of Directors. CHCDC is dedicated to advancing economic, social, and cultural opportunities for the Wounded Knee District and its surrounding communities.

We are seeking candidates with one or more of the following:

• Strong Educational Background: Proven academic record in business, economics, development, or related fields.
   
• Demonstrated Leadership Experience: A track record of impactful leadership in professional, nonprofit, or civic roles.
   
• Veteran Status: Military service is recognized as an equivalent qualification. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional leadership and achievement post-military service.
   

• Source New Investors and build relationships that expand CHCDC’s financial capacity.
   
• Provide Visionary Leadership to guide strategic development in the Wounded Knee District and its communities.
   
• Uphold the organization’s mission of self-determination, sustainability, and growth.
   
• Collaborate with fellow board members to establish policy and direction while ensuring accountability.
   

• Directly influence community development initiatives with lasting impact.
   
• Join a respected body of leaders shaping the future of the Wounded Knee District.
   
• Contribute expertise and leadership to programs that honor our past while creating opportunities for future generations.
   

📩 Interested individuals are encouraged to submit a résumé, letter of interest, and supporting documentation to the CHCDC Board Selection Committee.

P.O. Box 199, Wounded Knee, SD 57794