The Oglala Lakota College (OLC) Community Continuing Education/GED program, several Oglala Sioux Tribal programs, and some state programs are working together to help community members earn their general education development (GED) certificates.
For the 2024-25 year, students from the Oglala Sioux Tribal Native Employment Works (NEW), Adult Offenders Facility (AOF), and the federal Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Family and Child Education program (FACE) partner with OLC to support community members with GED studies and testing. State partnerships with OLC such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) also support basic student needs.
Students are benefitting from these partnerships and are becoming role models for their children and family members as they complete their GEDs.
The OLC Continuing Education/GED program invites you to visit their webpage to learn more about the program and what we offer at https://www.olc.edu/future-students/continuing-education-ged/. Pilamaya (thank you)!
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Native Employment Works (NEW)
Three students from the NEW program shared their stories from the OLC Pahin Sinte College Center and the Wounded Knee College Center:
“My name is Jessica White Butterfly. I started working on the NEW program in June 2024. I make bread and cook for the elderly Monday through Friday. Being in the NEW program, they help me work on my GED studies, which I really like.”
“My name is Paul White Butterfly. I am originally from Rockyford, South Dakota. I live in the Kyle area and take classes at OLC’s Porcupine Center. I am married and have two children. I have tried to get my GED in the past, however, I could not. I want to complete my GED and graduate, and I look forward to getting a decent-paying job or running my own business one day. I am a WIOA employee/NEW program GED students, and I recently started working and taking my GED classes. This program is beneficial and I will keep moving forward and see where I go.”
“My name is Marie Cottier-White Eyes and I am currently in the OLC GED program. I started my GED back in 2015 and I was offered the NEW program position in LaCreek district in 2016, which helped with income and also helped me to obtain my very first vehicle. I didn’t have a tutor in the LaCreek district to help me, so I decided to take a break and now I am continuing in Porcupine at the Pahin Sinte College Center. The transition was a lot more beneficial to my learning, as I have a great tutor who helps me in all areas and motivates me to be successful in my education journey. I just recently passed my second exam and am preparing to take my last two exams.”
Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Corrections, Adult Offenders Facility
(OST Dept. of Corrections, AOF)
The OLC Pine Ridge College Center has been working with the OST Dept. of Corrections, AOF for quite some time now. With the help of correction officers at the facility we are able to assist our students with whatever they need to help them succeed. We believe it provides inmates with opportunities to move on with their lives. By earning their GEDs, they will be able to seek employment or continue their education as a college student, or at least give them a sense of accomplishment, in hopes of changing their lives in some way they can be proud of.
The two students pictured are from the AOF program shown in their study areas at the facility.
Richard Bettelyoun IV joined the GED program in February 2025 and is currently scheduled to begin his Official Practice tests. He has been studying hard and is very determined. Jeremy Old Horse joined the GED program in March 2025. He has completed all his pre-tests and is currently studying to retest into the next level of study. He hopes to get his GED by the time he is released so he can seek employment.
Family and Child Education program
One student from the Family and Child Education (FACE) program shared her story from OLC’s Pass Creek College Center:
Precious Tallman
“My name is Precious Tallman. I decided to get my GED because I didn’t get to fulfill my goals the way I wanted to. When COVID-19 hit, my high school shut down when I was a freshman, and I didn’t take online learning seriously. I had my first daughter, Arialla, a year later and my focus shifted to raising her. My Aunt Chastity convinced me to sign up for FACE to help me learn some of the milestones that Arialla should meet at different stages of her early years, birth to three-years-old.
When Arialla turned three, she was able to attend preschool, and I was able to attend with her. Jen, the adult ed teacher, introduced me to Sandra Shot With Arrow, the GED tutor at OLC’s Pass Creek Center. Both Jen and Sandra convinced me to try for my GED. With their help and the help of the Dollar General Grant, I have been able to pass my math and science GED tests…. I am so grateful for this opportunity and hope to graduate this May with my GED so I can sign up for college courses in the fall of 2025.”
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All students expressed gratitude to the American Indian College Fund, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, and Oglala Lakota College for assistance with tutoring, gas vouchers, paying for the practice tests, official tests, and study materials. There is no cost to the student other than their time invested in studying and preparing. The rewards are invaluable.
Many of the GED graduates enroll at Oglala Lakota College to pursue higher education while others use their certificate to secure a job in the workforce.
Our GED graduates have joined the Oglala Sioux Tribal Department of Public Safety, become GED tutors, become TRiO tutors, and have been hired as employees of Oglala Lakota College, Head Start food service workers, bus drivers, and childcare providers. Many more furthered their education and came back to Oglala Lakota College as full-time or adjunct instructors, or as teachers at one of the many schools on the Pine Ridge reservation, were hired as employees of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, or joined the United States armed forces. Our students’ success abounds.
A tutor in the LaCreek district to help me, so I decided to take a break and now I am continuing in Porcupine at the Pahin Sinte College Center. The transition was a lot more beneficial to my learning, as I have a great tutor who helps me in all areas and motivates me to be successful in my education journey. I just recently passed my second exam and am preparing to take my last two exams.”
