The Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) has extended support to each of its four 2024-25 Native Excellence Scholarship Program awardees with an additional $2,500 scholarship for the 2025-26 school year. The recipients, all Native students attending Central Wyoming College and pursuing degrees in agriculture, have now received a total of $5,000 each through the Native Excellence Scholarship Program.

Erika Warren-Yarber (Northern Arapaho), Chief Operating Officer at WRDF, leads the scholarship program. “We are so proud of these four students and honored to continue supporting them as they work towards their agriculture degrees. They represent a bright future for the Reservation,” Yarber said.

Grace Neubauer (Eastern Shoshone), who is one of the scholarship recipients, will graduate this spring with two degrees – one in health science and one on equine science. She then plans on furthering her education at Casper Community College. Neubauer, who is also a member of the Central Wyoming College Rodeo team, is paying out of pocket for her college education with scholarships and a part-time job. Between school, work, and rodeo, she has an intense schedule, but this scholarship has helped her manage it all.

“I am so blessed to have been awarded this scholarship where I am now going to graduate with two degrees, going deeper into my studies, and being able to finish out my college rodeo career properly,” says Neubauer.

With the average age of agricultural producers trending close to 60 years, Yarber emphasizes the importance of cultivating the next generation of Native farmers and ranchers as a way to strengthen Wind River’s economy. “Investing in our youth is a critical element of WRDF’s strategy to create economic opportunity. It amplifies the work we have been doing with a group of community partners on our $36 million Recompete grant – strengthening our agriculture industry, building local food systems, and developing our workforce.”

Jerel Kohler (Northern Arapaho), another scholarship recipient who is pursuing a career in agricultural leadership, is examining community needs and developing bold ideas on how to implement traditional agricultural engineering into local systems by utilizing tribal knowledge.

Reflecting on this scholarship opportunity, he says, “My scholarship is helping me gather my education to pursue a bachelor’s in agricultural leadership. Agriculture is the lifeline for humanity. We have to come together and think differently about our future.”

Other scholarship awardees include Kaylee Cachelin (Northern Arapaho), who is pursuing a degree in agricultural leadership, and Kalijah Day (Northern Arapaho), who is pursuing a degree in Farm and Ranch Resource Management.

WRDF’s Native Excellence Scholarship Program received funding support from the Native American Agriculture Fund, a private, charitable trust serving Native farmers and ranchers created from the historic Keepseagle v. Vilsack litigation settlement.

The Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) announced today that Heidi Cuny has joined the organization as its new Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications. This newly created position reflects WRDF’s continued growth and expanding national profile.

Cuny will lead WRDF’s brand strategy, marketing and communications, graphic design, digital marketing, and web development. She brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing and communications, including 15 years leading her own firm.

“We are thrilled that Heidi has officially joined our team after serving as a consultant to WRDF for the past two years,” said Paul F. Huberty, Executive Director of WRDF. “Heidi played a critical role in our successful Recompete application, which brought a $36 million investment to Wind River. She has led the development of multiple websites for our organization, is an exceptional graphic designer, and brings deep experience working with Native communities and Native-led organizations. She is truly a marketing and communications expert in Indian Country.”

Cuny is the owner and principal of Cuny Communications, based on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. For more than 15 years, she has partnered closely with Tribal communities and organizations and brings extensive knowledge of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) and mission-driven economic development.

In speaking about the opportunity, Cuny said, “It is an honor to be tapped for this position, and I am excited to be joining a team of such high caliber. I look forward to being a part of the amazing things WRDF is doing.”

Cuny joins WRDF at a pivotal moment in the organization’s history. In 2024 alone, WRDF secured more than $45 million to support economic development projects on the Wind River Reservation. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Cuny will serve as a strategic thought partner to WRDF’s leadership team, helping shape organizational storytelling, narrative positioning, and reputation management as the organization continues to scale its impact.

Erika Warren-Yarber is the Chief Operating Officer at WRDF, and she will be working closely with Cuny to ensure effective communication with key partners. “Heidi is truly one of the best in the business. Having worked alongside other Native CDFIs that have served as change agents in our industry, she understands the vital role that accurate information and storytelling play in advancing the mission of WRDF and our Wind River Sage Fund while maintaining transparency with our community.”

Cuny, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from California State University Chico, has been recognized nationally for her expertise in graphic design, including a silver ADDY® award. In addition to her marketing responsibilities at WRDF, Cuny will continue to serve as an independent marketing consultant for the CDFI industry.

The Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) announced today that Emily Norum has been selected into the Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellowship Program and she will be working with WRDF to implement its outdoor recreation projects. The ERC program is a $30 million cooperative agreement between the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The program places an economic development professional at WRDF as one of 65 fully-paid fellowship positions nationally.

“We are excited to welcome Emily into the fellowship program and join our team as we implement more than $4 million in outdoor recreation projects on the Wind River Reservation,” stated Paul F. Huberty, Executive Director at the Wind River Development Fund. “Already, our team has invested more than $700,000 across three projects, including the Lakes Projects, the Playground Project at Eastern Shoshone Tribal Health, and the Fort Washakie baseball fields. We have significantly more work to accomplish in 2026 and we look forward to having Emily join an already fantastic team.”

Speaking about the opportunity to work in Wind River, Norum commented, “I am thrilled to be joining WRDF as the new Economic Recovery Corps Fellow. WRDF has already accomplished so much with their outdoor recreation projects and I am eager to join the team as we move towards successfully completing this work. I look forward to connecting with the community on the Wind River Reservation and to help further economic development in the region.”

Norum received her bachelor of arts degree from Hamilton College in New York. Previously, she worked for NACDC Financial Services as a Workforce Project Assistant supporting the $45 million Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant project for workforce and professional development. She also worked as a Project Manager for Indigenous Impact Co., a consulting and management company driving systems change through values-based strategic planning.

Erika Warren-Yarber, WRDF’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “We are happy to welcome Emily as our new Economic Recovery Corps Fellow. She joins us at a critical time to help implement our outdoor recreation strategy. Emily will be instrumental in creating outdoor recreation opportunities for our community members and visitors on the Wind River Reservation.”

The Economic Recovery Corps Program is a multi-year, collaborative initiative designed to accelerate economic development in distressed communities and regions throughout the U.S. The program connects organizations with the talent and capacity needed to advance new ways of economic development that promotes economic resilience and transformative change.

The Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) announced that Faith Wallowing Bull has joined the organization as its new Finance Manager for Federal Programs. In this role, Wallowing Bull will oversee the financial management and compliance of more than $40 million in federal grant funding supporting economic and community development initiatives on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

Paul F. Huberty, Executive Director of WRDF, said, “We are very pleased to welcome Faith to our finance team. Her depth of experience and strong understanding of financial management significantly strengthens our organization at a critical moment in our growth.”

Wallowing Bull is an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe and brings extensive financial leadership experience to WRDF. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. From 2013 to 2019, she served as Chief Financial Officer for the Wind River Casino. Most recently, she worked as a staff accountant for the National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander, Wyoming.

Speaking about her new position, Wallowing Bull said, “I am honored to join the Wind River Development Fund at such a pivotal time. Having grown up on the Wind River Indian Reservation, I experienced firsthand the challenges of limited opportunities. WRDF’s commitment to fostering economic growth on the Reservation deeply resonates with me. I am excited to be part of a talented team dedicated to creating meaningful impact and building a stronger future for our community.”

Published by WyoFile

When the Wind River Food Sovereignty Project purchased this 30-acre farm near Fort Washakie, the land mainly grew hay. Machinery and tools stood in the yards. Fences were aging.

Fast forward two years, and a transformation is taking root. Old equipment has been cleared out, and a fenced vegetable garden is thick with vines of squash and melons. A large high tunnel has been erected; inside tidy rows of raised beds sit ready to receive soil and seeds. Native plants like chokecherry bushes have been transplanted near the creek, and some may even survive the deer onslaught. Near the farm entrance, circular paths wind around a garden, where benches, flowers and a shaded area have been designed to welcome tribal elders for rest and reflection.

“This garden is a sanctuary,” Wind River Food Sovereignty Project Co-director Kelly Pingree told a crowd gathered for a grand opening celebration Saturday. “A place for healing, peace and connection with nature.”

Once the ribbon was cut, tribal members and others from the community filed through an ornate gate and into the brand-new elder garden, forming a circle around drummers. After a song and a prayer, it was time to eat.

Marking the occasion with bowls of buffalo stew and fry bread dipped in chokecherry gravy felt appropriate given that the nonprofit is aimed at restoring food production and traditions in Wind River Reservation communities.

“As Native people, we always give thanks to Mother Earth for what she provides us,” Pingree told the crowd. “And when we connect with our food, it reconnects us to the land, our ancestral knowledge, our spirituality, our prayer.”

The progress at Trout Creek Farm marks the early stages of a multi-year vision to bolster local production, access to healthy foods, tribal education and more. But it also signifies the fruits of a $36 million federal redevelopment grant that several facets of the reservation stand to benefit from.

The Ray Lake project includes the installation of an environmentally friendly boat ramp, upgraded picnic tables and pavilions, new restroom facilities, and enhanced signage to improve visitor experience and environmental stewardship.

Leslie Shakespeare, recently appointed Chief Implementation Officer of WRDF, is leading the project. “This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration,” said Shakespeare. “By working alongside the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes, Tribal Fish and Game, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, we are creating amenities that not only strengthen recreational opportunities, but also deepen cultural connections to our lands and waters, delivering long-term value to the community.”

The improvements at Ray Lake are part of WRDF’s $1 million investment—supported by a grant from the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation—targeting upgrades at Ray Lake, Bull Lake, Dinwoody Lake, and Moccasin Lake. Similar improvements at the additional lakes are scheduled to begin in spring 2026.

Project Coordinator Justin Webb is overseeing the installation process. “We’ve been planning and procuring equipment and materials for months,” Webb noted. “Now that everything is on-site, we’re ready to bring these long-anticipated improvements to life for the Reservation.”

The Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) announced today that Leslie Shakespeare has joined the organization as its new Chief Implementation Officer. In this leadership role, Shakespeare will join the WRDF executive team and be responsible for implementing the $36 million EDA Recompete grant and $4 million of outdoor recreation grants. Shakespeare previously served as the Rocky Mountain Regional Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Paul F. Huberty, Executive Director, said, “We are very pleased to have Leslie join our team as we implement over $40 million of economic development projects for the Reservation. Leslie brings significant leadership experience to our organization and he is passionate about our mission to serve the Wind River community. His executive experience working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and his service on the Eastern Shoshone Business Council will strengthen our organization at this pivotal time.”

In the newly created Chief Implementation Officer (CIO) position, Shakespeare will lead the implementation and execution of the Recompete strategic initiatives in partnership with the Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. Two key projects that Shakespeare will lead include construction of the Tribal Buffalo Center at the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative and a new Ecotourism Visitors Center (Tribal Fish & Game complex) to be located in Fort Washakie.

In speaking about his new role, Shakespeare said, “I’ve always believed my environment should reflect the values I carry. Wind River is my home, and I’ve seen both the challenges and the deep resilience of our people. I’m committed to making sure our investments create lasting impact—lifting up our communities, expanding opportunity, and building a future that reflects our strength, vision, and potential. This work is personal to me, and it’s grounded in a promise to serve with purpose and heart.”

Erika Warren-Yarber is WRDF’s Chief Operating Officer and she was instrumental in securing significant funding for the Reservation’s economic development projects. In commenting about Shakespeare joining the team, she said, “I am incredibly excited to have Leslie join as our newest team member. His specialized skills in land and project management will undoubtedly strengthen our capabilities and accelerate our strategic goals.” Warren-Yarber and Shakespeare will work closely to ensure the successful completion of 14 projects over the next five years.

Shakespeare, who is an enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, recently served as the Rocky Mountain Regional Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in Billings, MT. Previously, he served for six years as Superintendent of BIA for the Wind River Agency. Shakespeare was elected to the Eastern Shoshone Business Council in 2016 and served as Vice Chairman until 2019. Prior to serving on the Business Council, he was Tribal Liaison to the Wyoming Governor’s Office. Shakespeare has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming, a master’s degree from Norwich University, and he completed the Leadership Wyoming program in 2017.

The Rockefeller Foundation has launched its inaugural cohort of U.S. Big Bets Fellows — 12 changemakers advancing bold solutions to strengthen communities from coast to coast, including in Alaska, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wyoming. We are pleased to announce that our very own Paul Huberty has been selected as a Big Bets Fellow! Paul proudly submitted Wind River’s vision and economic strategy, which is to create a new path for Indigenous people to reclaim their sovereignty while rebuilding equitable economies based on cultural values.

The 2025 U.S. Big Bets Fellows are confronting issues head-on, channeling American ingenuity into bold, locally driven solutions tailored to their communities’ needs. Over a four-month fellowship, this group of leaders will engage in curated programming, peer networking, and professional development designed to help them scale their efforts in driving inclusive economic growth and building healthier, more resilient systems across the country.