​TOKALA SOCIETY
Norbert (Nobby) Bell

In many Indigenous cultures there are "societies" established for those members of the tribe who are known to sacrifice for the good of others, putting their people before themselves. In the Lakota culture, this is known as a Tokala Society. The Tipi Raiser's Tokalas receive a stable wage in exchange for their service and responsiveness to needs that arise among the most vulnerable in their communities. 

Norbert (Nobby) Bell is the "Keeper of the Firewood". Nobby tells a story that while sharing a meal with Tipi Raisers volunteers on Pine Ridge in 2017, he overheard a conversation about the need for a place to store and distribute firewood to families on the Pine Ridge reservation. A tribal elder dedicated to the concept of Tokala, Nobby chimed in: “If you’re looking for someone to help get the wood out to the people, I live right next door.”
To this day, Nobby still oversees our firewood program on Pine Ridge. He shared with us that his traditional ways inspire him to help us get firewood to those who need it, and we are grateful every day for his selfless spirit and the humble leadership with which he chops, organizes, and directs firewood to families in need of warmth. Thanks to Nobby's efforts, the Tipi Raisers has regularly provided firewood and wood bricks each year for over 75 families and individuals - many of them elders.

Food and Donation Distribution Team
AIMEE WHITE PIPE | JAMIE GHOST 

Aimee and Jamie are Tribal members living on Pine Ridge and work year-round as a part of our team to help mitigate conditions of poverty on Pine Ridge.  The team helps to distribute needed food, firewood and material donations to the families on Pine Ridge who we have been assisting regularly since the onset of Covid.  

Tribal Contract Laborers 

Since 2015, Tipi Raisers has provided contract employment to over 350 Native workers from various tribes. Jobs range from housing repair, firewood support, transport, event support and food/donations organization and delivery. 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dave Ventimiglia

Executive Director of Ti Ikciya Pa Slata Pi/The Tipi Raisers since 2011, Dave grew the organization from its humble beginnings. He oversees all of the programming and is directly involved in running the volunteer trips, food and material donations, special events and the Gen7 Youth Leadership and Development program. 

​Prior to joining the Tipi Raisers, Dave spent over 15 years running a wilderness therapy program for at-risk youth in which service trips in Native communities were often incorporated. 

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DIRECTOR of ADVANCEMENT
Lori Ventimiglia

Since 2018, Lori has managed communications, grants and fundraising, and assists with special events and Gen7 Youth Leadership and Development.

Prior to joining The Tipi Raisers, Lori opened an elementary school in her community and worked at the Colorado League of Charter Schools for six years, assisting over 50 new schools in opening their doors. In that position, Lori received and managed over 1.5 million dollars in grant funding.

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PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Mackenzie Tilton

Mackenzie is a previous Tipi Raiser's "Featured Volunteer"!  She joined service trips and took on remote projects for the organization for several years before joining the team in 2021.

Formerly a Teach for America teacher, Mackenzie has quickly become a critical member of our team supporting the advancement of all programs of the organization as well as assisting with grant seeking, donor platform management and communications.

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ACCOUNTANT
Sharon Newhoff

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Sharon has been working in the accounting field for many years.  She is also a counselor and previously worked in the faith community as a minister.  Sharon joined the Tipi Raisers team in early 2020 and is enjoying the process of setting up a great system "so that the rest of the team can concentrate on doing what they do best"! 

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