Tokahe Institute empowers Native & rural students across South Dakota with the support, tools, and community to step into their futures on their own terms - from first dream to returning home as a leader.
Tokahe Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Native & rural students to dream of, invest in, and plan for their futures.
Tokahe Institute draws its name and philosophy from the Lakota Emergence Story. Tokahe, “the first one,” was the leader of the people and the first to emerge into the world through Maka Oniye (Wind Cave). Despite repeated attempts by Iktomi, the trickster, Tokahe waited until the time was right, when both he and the world were ready.
Like the Emergence, Tokahe Institute affirms that every student deserves the opportunity to dream, prepare, invest, and emerge into their future.
Through programming, partnerships, and community building, Tokahe Institute supports students in discovery, college access, career preparation, research training, and skill development.
“Tokahe Institute empowers the next generation of leaders to believe that anything is possible by providing the frameworks they need and lighting the path forward.”
Tokahe Institute's work is structured around five phases, centering the holistic development of Tokahe Scholars.
Phase 1: Dream
Students begin by imagining their futures through exposure to futurism-centered frameworks and guided visioning. They explore identity, ethics, and research while gaining foundational knowledge of career pathways and higher education opportunities.
Phase 2: Prepare
Students deepen their aspirations through direct exposure to their goals. Through mentorship, networking, and experiential learning, they begin to see their envisioned futures as tangible and achievable.
Phase 3: Invest
Students commit to their plans by developing sustainable habits and support systems, including mental health practices. They build college lists, participate in campus visits, receive application guidance, and identify financial pathways to make their goals accessible.
Phase 4: Emerge
Students transition into their next chapter: college, career pathways, or community leadership. They gain tools to navigate academic rigor, residential life, and social environments, while also stepping into mentorship roles for younger cohorts.
Phase 5: Return
Graduates of the program return as mentors and leaders. Through partnerships with local organizations and businesses, students access internships and opportunities that allow them to reinvest their knowledge and skills back into their communities.
Our flagship program, launching in Year 2 with the inaugural cohort of sophomores, is a multi year cohort based college access program centered on identity development, future planning, and early exposure to higher education pathways.
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.
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.
Tokahe Institute travels across South Dakota and beyond.
Our programming is built for 2026–2027 and growing.
We travel directly to Native communities across South Dakota, listening and engaging with students, families, educators, and Tribal leaders, and building the relationships that shape our programming from the ground up.
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.
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.
Upcoming Travel
September 9 to 12, 2026. We are traveling across South Dakota to meet students, families, and educators where they are.
Tokahe Institute is partnering with the Small Town and Rural (STARS) College Network out of the University of Chicago to host several college fairs and events throughout South Dakota. These events are targeted towards all South Dakota high school students and will also include South Dakota and regional colleges and universities.
All Rapid City area events are open to all high school students.
The Todd County event is open to area high school students.
Sioux Falls events are open only to all Sioux Falls Public Schools.
Open to all high school students and families.
If attending with their school, students will receive a free ticket to the University of South Dakota vs. Eastern Washington University football game as USD celebrates its 2nd Annual Native Heritage Day Football Game at 1:00 PM in the DakotaDome.
If students attend with their families, each family will receive up to two free tickets, with each additional ticket at a discounted price of $12.
Grounded in South Dakota, built for the long journey.
