Board of Directors

Education: Chemical Engineering degree from School of Mines.

Background: Tim worked as an engineer in Bloomington, MN for 12 years before he decided he wanted out of the big city, bad weather of Minnesota, and mosquitoes. His family picked the place they wanted to be vs a job that would take him wherever, so they chose Rapid City. He decided to become a police officer because it is more people/service oriented and also because he wanted to work with youth and knew about the School Liaison program. They took a leap of faith in 2007 and moved here before he had his final offer with the Rapid City Police Department (RCPD).

Tim’s career in the RCPD:

• 3 years on patrol
• 7 years working in the schools (1 year at SWMS and 6 at Central High School)
• 18 months as a patrol Sergeant
• 18 months as Juvenile Operations Sergeant
• 12 months as patrol Lieutenant
• 18 months as Community Engagement Lieutenant

Other duties:

• Peer Support Team member
• Physical Fitness Team member
• Participated in CHI (Collective Healing)
• Participated in Community Advisory Committee

Among other things.

The majority of his career, in one way or another, has been focused on working with youth. In his current position he oversees the Quality of Life Unit, the Youth Outreach Team and the overall Community Engagement Team, which includes Jamie Kirsch and Tyler Read.

Mike Franke was born and raised in Rapid City SD.  He is currently an Assistant Store Leader at Scheels in Rapid City.  

Mike married his high school sweetheart, Joanna and they’ve been married for 30 years.  Joanna is a CPA with Brink Constructors, Inc. and they have three children; one married and working at Kustomz Truck & Auto; one enrolled at Black Hills State University and one living at home.  

Education:  

• Graduate of Black Hills State University, Spearfish SD, Business Management &  Tourism
• Graduate of Montana State University, Billings MT, Business Data Systems.
  

Professional Background:

Mike spent 23 years working in the life insurance industry and has owned and operated several different businesses in the Black Hills area.   After a successful career training and developing others within the life insurance business, Mike transitioned to a retail career with Scheels.

Throughout his career, Mike has served on several different boards, many associated with the youth and families within the Rapid City community.  He has a passion for strong family values, improving family stability and empowering others to better themselves.

Tasha R. Fridia (Pejuta Cangleska Win – Sacred Medicine Circle Woman), is an enrolled member of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and is Kiowa, Caddo, and Hunka Oglala Lakota. She is a lifelong resident of the ancestral homelands of her Kitikitish people and has a deep connection to the land that is now known as Oklahoma. Ms. Fridia holds a Juris Doctorate with a certificate in American Indian Law from Oklahoma City University School of Law, a master’s degree in Human Resources Development from Webster University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Ms. Fridia has dedicated her career to serving youth through prevention and intervention using a cultural lens. Most recently, Tasha served as the Assistant Director of the Tribal Youth Resource Center where she collaborated with tribes across Indian Country to implement Tribal Youth Programs and Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts. Ms. Fridia continues to work and volunteer with various entities whose focus range from education equity, to youth engagement, and tribal economic development. Her intent is to further affect positive change in all. Tasha views joining Friends of the Children in the role of National Director of Tribal Programs as an opportunity to broaden her impact on both children and families so they can reach their greatest potential.

Tasha is the legacy of many generations of activists and advocates dedicated to political, policy, and systems change. She interweaves her traditional Indigenous knowledge and western education throughout her work. Tasha strives to make her ancestors proud in everything she undertakes and is guided by the Indigenous value, “Children are sacred.” Her most important job and greatest legacy are her daughters, Isabella and Kennedy. Ms. Fridia serves as a mentor to many other young people and is dedicated to the strength and wellness of the future generations. With every opportunity and position Tasha seeks to find ways to share what she has learned for the betterment of her community and the world.

Lila DeMarrias Mehlhaff was born and raised in the village of Little Eagle on the Standing Rock Indian reservation. She currently serves as the Human Services Coordinator for the City of Rapid City. Her family on her mother’s side are One Feather, Shields and Allison. On her father’s side, are the Spotted Horse, DeMarrias and Jordan families. She is Hunkpapa Lakota and Wahpekute Dakota.Mehlhaff’s professional background involves mostly small business development, franchising and a startups; but also includes nonprofit experience with the founding of the South Dakota Center For Enterprise Opportunity based at Black Hills State University and Warrior’s Circle, a Native American ministry. Mehlhaff has worked for United States Congress as a tribal liaison and is also a South Dakota licensed real estate agent. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an Indian Studies minor and a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership (MSSL), both from Black Hills State University. Mehlhaff and her husband are partners in the two Qdoba Mexican Eats restaurants in Rapid City and is also an inventor with a provisional patent pending. She and her husband Stewart have four children, four grandchildren, and Isabel the cat.

Dr. Alicia Mousseau is the daughter of the late John and Vera Mousseau and the granddaughter of the late James and Lena Mousseau from Porcupine, South Dakota. Her hunka parents are Howard Brown and Karen Spoonhunter-Brown of Arapahoe, Wyoming.

Dr. Mousseau received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Wyoming in 2012. Before becoming the Vice President for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, she culturally adapted, implemented, and evaluated prevention and intervention programs with American Indian youth and families. Dr. Mousseau’s commitment to her community and Oyate (people) has influenced her Vice-Presidential platform where she is working to bring healing/trauma informed care as well as a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) Research and Training Center to the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Gene Tyon is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Elder, and Traditional Knowledge Keeper, and founder and executive director of a Lakota-led nonprofit (Oaye Luta Okolakiciye [Moving Forward in a Sacred Way; OLO] based in what is now Rapid City. OLO serves a wide catchment area in western SD including the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations. Her received his master’s degree in alcohol and drug studies and possess decades of experience in culturally grounded programming, community organizing, and nonprofit organization and management. He has substantial experience as an advocate for Indigenous health within the He Sapa community in partnership with non-Indigenous public service institutions (e.g., education, justice, and social service). In doing this work, he is also acutely aware of the current barriers to health and equitable partnerships that exist within these institutions and have substantial experience in grassroots advocacy and nonprofit work. OLO’s emphasis on cultural and community-based pathways to healing and resilience has blossomed into a physical institution that serves as a key resource for cultural healing within health, justice, child welfare, and Indigenous advocacy spaces.

Elaine Yellow Horse is enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Ms. Yellow Horse recently joined Thunder Valley Community Development Coorporation. Prior to pursuing her juris doctorate, she served four years as a tribal prosecutor for the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where she grew up in the community of Wounded Knee. She is eager to apply her tribal court experience and formal education to advocacy for the firm’s clients.

A recent graduate, Ms. Yellow Horse has completed coursework in the following areas pertinent to working in Indian country: Federal Indian Law; Tribal Courts and Tribal Law; Water Law; Environmental Law; Administrative Law; and Indian Gaming and Economic Development. She is currently working toward admission to the South Dakota Bar.

Education

Knudson School of Law; University of South Dakota (J.D., 2022); Oglala Lakota College (B.A. Lakota Studies, 2013).

Prior Legal Experience

Robins Kaplan Extern (2022); Great North Innocence Project Extern (2020-2021); Oglala Sioux Tribe Intern (2020); Barnhouse, Keegan, Solimon & West LLP Intern (2020); Peter Caposella Intern (2020); Oglala Sioux Tribe Attorney General’s Office Prosecutor (2013-2017).

Formal Recognitions/Awards

Advanced to Elite 8 Round at 2022 National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court Competition and Sweet 16 Round in 2021.

Associations, volunteer experience, and/or teaching positions

University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law Ambassador 2020-2022; NALSA Chapter President 2021-2022 and Vice-President 2020-2021; OUTlaws 2019-2022.