About LFCU

Our Mission

The Lakota Federal Credit Union’s mission is to provide access to convenient, quality financial products and services in a friendly, professional, and respectful manner in order to help the Lakota people and the communities they live in achieve financial security and well-being.

History

In January 2009, several community leaders started in pursuit of a dream to establish the Lakota Federal Credit Union to serve the people of the Pine Ridge Reservation. The proposed credit union would provide basic banking services to help the Oglala Lakota Oyate (people) achieve their financial goals and, in turn, help the local economy on the Pine Ridge Reservation to thrive. This was a huge undertaking, as the Pine Ridge Reservation had not had a financial institution of its own since the Oglala Sioux Tribe accepted the Indian Recognition Act in 1935.

Lakota Funds, a non-profit organization that provides loan products and assistance on the reservation, anxiously agreed to sponsor the proposed Lakota Federal Credit Union. A steering committee comprised of knowledgeable, energetic, and hard-working individuals began the long and arduous process of establishing the first and only federally-insured financial institution on the 2.2 million-acre Pine Ridge Reservation.

In August of 2012, the Lakota Federal Credit Union received its charter from the National Credit Union Association and officially opened its doors in November 2012. Even on its first day of operations, the Lakota Federal Credit Union made a big impact – opening 26 accounts and making one loan.

How is a credit union different than a bank?

Although credit unions and banks offer many of the same products and services, they are very different. Banks are for-profit corporations, which means their biggest concern is their bottom line. Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations, which means they are mission-driven. Credit unions are frequently smaller institutions, have a regional focus, and are known for being community-oriented.

Credit unions are also different from banks because when you make a deposit, you are actually buying shares of the organization. Rather than being a customer, you are a part owner who is considered a member of the organization. Members vote on all major decisions and even elect the board of directors. Since credit unions are not in it for the profit, they usually have lower rates and fees. Any profit they do make is distributed to its members.

Staff & Board

Our Staff

Shayna Ferguson

Manager/Loan Officer

I have been an employee of the Lakota Federal Credit Union since October 18, 2012 – shortly after the credit union received its charter and before we officially opened our doors to the public in November that year. As a manager, I play many roles here at the credit union. I also do underwriting for loan products, assist members with opening accounts, open Share Certificates, and work the teller line processing everyday transactions for members.

I was born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation here in South Dakota and am a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. After graduating as valedictorian of the class of 2005 at Red Cloud Indian High School, I attended South Dakota State University and then later Oglala Lakota College.

My goal is to provide our surrounding communities with easier access to a financial institution, which is member owned and not-for-profit. I enjoy conducting community outreach to the Oglala Lakota Nation and encouraging our people to utilize the products and tools that we provide here at home on the Reservation.

Lexxi Hunter

Teller/Member Service Representative

I grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and am an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. I graduated Little Wound High School in 2014 and then enrolled in college classes at Oglala Lakota College to study in Nursing. I have been an employee of the Lakota Federal Credit Union since June of 2015. As the Teller/Member Service Representative of Lakota Federal Credit Union, I enjoy providing service to our members and helping them with their daily transactions and other services. I also provides services to new people by encouraging them to join our team and become new members to Lakota Federal Credit Union.

Averia Fast Horse

Member Service Representative

I started working for Lakota Federal Credit Union in May of 2021 and I am a Member Service Representative. I am an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe. I grew up in Pine Ridge and attended Pine Ridge High School. It’s been an honor to be a part of Lakota Federal Credit Union. It brings me joy to be able to help nonmembers become a member of LFCU.   While opening accounts I also have the opportunity to inform our members what we have to offer here at the Lakota Federal Credit Union with all our convenience products and services.

Shay Old Horse

Member Service Representative

Andrea Rogers

Member Service Representative/Loan Officer

Delilah Watkins

Collection Specialist

Kirstia Wilcox

Member Service Representative

Board of Directors

Tawney Brunsch
Tawney Brunsch (Oglala Sioux) is the Executive Director of Lakota Funds, the first-ever Native community development financial institution on a reservation. Since becoming Executive Director of Lakota Funds in 2010, Ms. Brunsch has led this financial institution through several more history-making accomplishments, including the charter of the Lakota Federal Credit Union, the launch of a child development account program, and the conversion that is currently underway of a low-income tax credit housing development into privately-owned homes. She innovated a collaboration of key regional leaders in the Native asset-building field to form the Great Plains Native Asset Building Coalition and is a member of the South Dakota Indian Business Alliance and the Native CDFI Network. In addition, Ms. Brunsch serves on the Board of Directors for Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial, a Native community development financial institution dedicated to creating opportunities for homeownership on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and was recently appointed to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Advisory Council. Ms. Brunsch received her Bachelor’s Degree in Commercial Economics from South Dakota State University and is certified as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Preparer.

Richard Dryden
Richard Dryden is the Branch Manager of the Black Hills Federal Credit Union in Hot Springs, South Dakota. As a long-time credit union employee, he has also held a loan officer and teller position for the Black Hills Federal Credit Union and the Agricultural Loan Officer position for the Rapid City Production Credit Association. Mr. Dryden has served on several local boards and committees, including the City of Oelrichs Town Board, the Oelrichs School Board, and the Hot Springs Child Protection Team. He graduated from Chadron State College.
Lynn Hernandez

Larry Peterson

Supervisory Committee

LaVonne Randall
LaVonne Randall (Oglala Sioux) is the Finance Manager of Lakota Funds, a certified Native community development financial institution located on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Ms. Randall has several years of experience in financial management as she owned and operated her own business prior to joining the Lakota Funds team. She has also held positions with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Branch of Real Estate Services and the United States Air Force. LaVonne has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Associate’s Degrees in Word/Information Processing and Secretarial Science. She is also certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council and Citigroup.

Donna Stover

Carol Ferguson