Sunflowers blooming in the South Dakota Badlands at golden hour

Test - Rooted in the Lakota Emergence Story

Every emergence is worth waiting for.

Tokáhe Institute ensures Native youth across South Dakota have the support, tools, and community to step into their futures on their own terms — a sustained pathway from first dream to returning home as a leader.

The Scholars Model Get Involved

Our Story

Rooted in the Lakota Emergence Story

In the Lakota Emergence Story, Tokáhe was the leader of the people and the first to emerge into the world through Maka Oniye (Wind Cave). Despite repeated attempts by Iktómi, the trickster, Tokáhe waited until the time was right — when both he and the world were ready.

Like this story, Tokáhe Institute affirms that every student's emergence is worth waiting for, preparing for, and investing in. We exist to ensure that Native youth across South Dakota have the support, tools, and community to step into their futures on their own terms.

Native students face deep, systemic barriers to accessing and completing higher education. Rather than offering a single intervention, Tokáhe provides a sustained pathway — from dreaming all the way to returning home as a leader. Students are not just prepared to succeed, but supported throughout the entire journey.

“Tokáhe Institute provides a framework for the next generation of leaders to believe that anything is possible — and to build the path to get there.”

Our Approach

The Tokáhe Scholars Model

Five interconnected phases guide each scholar from first dream to community return.

Phase 1 — Dream

Students explore identity, ethics, and research while discovering career and higher education pathways through futurism-centered frameworks.

Phase 2 — Prepare

Through mentorship, networking, and experiential learning, students begin to see their envisioned futures as tangible and achievable.

Phase 3 — Invest

Students build college lists, visit campuses, receive application guidance, and identify financial pathways while developing mental health practices.

Phase 4 — Emerge

Students transition to college, career, or community leadership — gaining tools to navigate new environments while mentoring younger cohorts.

Phase 5 — Return

Graduates return as mentors and leaders, accessing internships and opportunities to reinvest their knowledge and skills into their communities.

Programs & Events

Meeting students, families, and educators where they are

Tokáhe Institute travels across South Dakota and beyond. Our programming is built for 2026–2027 and growing.

Tokáhe Tour

We travel directly to Native communities across South Dakota — listening and engaging with students, families, educators, and tribal leaders — building the relationships that shape our programming from the ground up.

College & Resource Fairs

Statewide convenings each fall and spring that bring together colleges, Native scholarship organizations, and high schools so students and families can access resources and learn to navigate higher education.

Tokáhe Symposium

A professional development convening for admissions counselors, school counselors, and higher education practitioners focused on improving recruitment, support, and retention of Native and rural students.

Tokáhe Scholars Cohort

Our flagship program, launching in Year 2 with the inaugural cohort of sophomores — a year-long college access program centered on identity development, future planning, and early exposure to higher education pathways.

Campus Visits & Exposure

Scholars take part in guided campus visits that make higher education feel real, accessible, and welcoming — especially for students who may be first in their families to consider it.

Mentorship & Career Readiness

Students connect with Native professionals, build networks, and develop the skills and confidence to pursue their chosen careers — on their own terms, in alignment with their values and communities.

Why Tokáhe

Grounded in South Dakota, built for the long journey.

73%

Increase in Native undergraduate enrollment achieved by our co-founder at USD

Interconnected phases guiding each scholar from first dream to community return

Statewide resource fairs held each year connecting students with colleges & scholarships

Rooted in South Dakota, traveling to Native communities across the state

Invest in the next generation of Native leaders

Partner with us, support a scholar, or bring Tokáhe to your community.
Every emergence is worth waiting for.

Get Involved