Team Members

Gene Tyon, MA

Executive Director

I am Gene Tyon, my parents are Gene and Agnes Tyon, I grew up in Pine Ridge, SD.

Verlyn Long Wolf, MA

Program Director / Adult Female Mentor

Verlyn Long Wolf, MS., is the Oaye Luta Okolakiciye Healing Program Director and Adult Female Mentor.

Lynn Cuny, MA

Board Member

As He Haka Sapa reminds us that there is happiness after the storm, Lynn Cuny believes that her work as the Director of Advancement at Thunder Valley CDC is a direct reflection of that truth. Lynn is committed to the progress of building opportunities, the movement of systematic change and the sustainability of TVCDC community.

Jeremiah Moreno

Youth Male Mentor

Hau mitakuyepi, Jeremiah Moreno he miye lo. Oglala wicasa hemaca. Denver, Colorado hematanhan. I am a Lakota Language teacher for Central High School in Rapid City Area Schools, located in the sacred Black Hills, the homelands of the Oceti Sakowin.

Valeriah Big Eagle, Ed.D.

Board Member

Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle, Ed.D., Wakan Wocekiye Win (Sacred Prayer Woman), is an enrolled member of the Ihanktonwan Oyate and currently serves on the Title VI Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee and the Indigenous Education Task Force for Rapid City Area Schools.

Jacob Sounding Side

Young Male Mentor

Oaye Luta Okolakiciye