
The Wicozani Wellness Program focuses on promoting holistic wellness among Lakota youth and veterans of the Oglala Lakota Nation in Pine Ridge, SD. Through practices like yoga, meditation, skateboarding, reiki, and the Lakota Way of Life, the program aims to address historical and generational trauma, alleviate stress, and promote physical healing.
A key component of the program is teaching youth that they are the creators of their own medicine—
empowering them to take an active role in their healing using holistic methods deeply rooted in Lakota philosophy.
This approach fosters resilience and well-being by integrating cultural traditions with modern wellness practices, ensuring that the healing process is both personally
transformative and culturally relevant.Over the years, we have accomplished many important milestones in our mission to support mental health, including expanding our services and increasing accessibility to mental health resources.




Health and wellness coaching is a researched-based process that supports and empowers people to make desirable changes in their health and well-being. Coaches use a client-centered approach to help you identify what matters most to you, aligning your desires to your values and vision. Through the coaching process you can better understand any barriers you may have to achieving your goals, and with the help of your coach you can identify key tools to help you move closer to your goals and positive behavior changes.
What are some of the things I could work on with a coach?
Common areas in working with a coach include setting health-enhancing goals, discussing obstacle to adhere to wellness goals, and receiving support to adhere to wellness goals.
Although health and wellness coaches do not give dietary or exercise advice, they can help you identify areas you want to work on, help you access resources, help you create action plans, and provide accountability.
How are the sessions held?
Sessions are conducted using the web-based platform Zoom. Your coach will provide you with information. You are not required to use your webcam.
That is entirely your choice.
Do I have to commit to a certain number of sessions?
We ask that you commit to ten (10) sessions, or a minimum of seven (7). Holding sessions via Zoom makes it easy to fit into a busy schedule.
How long is each session?
Sessions are generally 30-45 minutes.
Is coaching like counseling or therapy?
Coaching is not counseling or therapy. Coaching is about identifying goals and working toward them. Is it about building a healthier future and is not reflecting on the past.
Will the coach advise me on health and wellness practices?
Coaches can provide information and resources but will never advise or force you to do anything you are not comfortable doing.
Can you describe a typical session?
With the coach’s assistance, you create the agenda for each session by describing where to focus the session. The coach is trained to listen carefully and ask insightful questions. This helps you to gain awareness and decide what actions you’d like to take going forward.
Session 1: Review any forms and assessments; discuss coaching goals; design 1-2 actions to create health-positive behavior
(this session can take up to 1.5 hours).
Middle sessions: You set the agenda and explore it with your coach; review actions steps; discuss any obstacles, successes, tools and supports for accountability; discuss outside resources and next action steps.
Last session: Review progress, discuss any future steps you may want to take, and bring closure to the coaching partnership.
Can I continue to work with my coach after I have completed the full number of sessions?
Coaches are free to make these arrangements with you outside. Many clients want to keep their coaching sessions going, and student coaches are often able to do so.
Are the sessions confidential?
Coaching sessions are strictly confidential. The coaching services provided, including all records and documentation, are fully HIPAA-compliant. All client information is kept confidential and handled with the utmost care in accordance with HIPAA regulations. Privacy and security are prioritized throughout the entire coaching process to ensure compliance and protect personal data.
I have a medical condition. Can I address this with the coach?
Coaches are not trained to address medical conditions. They do not provide medical care, treatment, or advice, including but not limited to, mental health counseling, psychological advice, recommendations, mediation or counseling under any circumstances, even if your student coach happens to be a licensed medical professional.
Coaches will not suggest you begin, continue, or discontinue medical or psychological treatments. If you are under the care of a licensed medical professional, you should continue with your care as long as that professional deems necessary.
It is your responsibility to consult with your licensed medical professional before altering any medical treatments or medications, beginning an exercise or diet plan, or any other course of action that may affect your physical condition or well-being.
If there is a worsening of any medical or health condition, or if a new ailment or condition arises, you should consult with your licensed medical professional.
Is there a fee for this service?
Health and Wellness Coaching is a personalized service provided through contracted agreements
If I am not enjoying coaching, can I stop at any time?
You may stop coaching at any time. Please give your student coach at least 24 hours’ notice before canceling any session or ending the coaching process.

“Working with health coach Jeanne was a transformative experience. She provided a safe, supportive space where I could laugh, cry, and openly share my life experiences without fear of judgment. Her compassionate and empowering coaching style helped me take meaningful steps toward my health goals. Jeanne’s unique approach beautifully blends her cultural roots with her deep passion for health coaching, making every session both inspiring and impactful.” — Kisha

Wóyute ki Etaŋ Pežúta Oyáye – Journey with Food as Medicine brings together cultural heritage, health education, and hands-on cooking to promote holistic wellness. Using the Healing Meals Grant and collaborating with the Knife Chief Buffalo Nation Society, we’ll host courses where local youth prepare traditional Lakota meals with fresh, locally sourced ingredients—learning healthy eating, reconnecting to ancestral foods, and creating Sovereign Nourishment by infusing Lakota/Indigenous ingredients and recipes with modern cuisine.
Rooted in wicozani—the balance of body, mind, and spirit—this project empowers our community to reclaim health through bison, chokecherries, wild rice, blue corn, turnips, and other traditional foods that have nourished our people for generations. We do this in part through our annual buffalo harvest, which provides both sustenance and teachings on living in harmony with the land.
We honor and support our families, our relatives, and organizations as they cultivate nutritional wellness and put it into action. This is how we embody wicozani: by turning traditional knowledge into daily practice and empowering people to live well in body, mind, and spirit.
Guided by elders’ wisdom, we strive to live in harmony with the land, our families, our relatives, and Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ, nurturing a future where the Lakota community is empowered to care for its health and create its own medicine.

Takoja Bea harvesting canpas "chokecherries"

Takoja Ashton with Leksi Scott, Twoobz and Arlo
