Native Excellence Scholarship Program reaches $30,000 in awards since 2024 reflecting a sustained commitment to educational achievement.

Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) has awarded $10,000 in new scholarships through its Native Excellence Scholarship Program, bringing the total amount distributed to $30,000 since the program launched in 2024. Four Native students – Benjamin Butler, Grace Neubauer, Jerel Kohler, and Rhonda Bowers – will each receive $2,500 to support their continued education in agriculture and related fields.

While Butler and Bowers are first-time recipients, Neubauer and Kohler are receiving their third consecutive scholarships, reflecting WRDF’s commitment to supporting students throughout their educational journeys.

Rather than limiting its scholarship program to one-time awards, WRDF has chosen to continue investing in previous recipients who remain enrolled and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. This approach recognizes that completing a college education requires sustained commitment, and that continued financial support can make a meaningful difference in helping students achieve their goals.

“We believe that investing in a student’s education should be about more than helping them get started. It’s also about helping them finish and find rewarding careers,” said Erika Warren-Yarber (Northern Arapaho), Chief Operating Officer of WRDF, who oversees the scholarship program. “We’re proud to continue supporting Grace and Jerel as they advance their education, and equally excited to welcome Benjamin and Rhonda. Each of these students represents an investment in the future of our community.”

Recognizing the Scholarship Recipients

Grace Neubauer (Eastern Shoshone) is receiving her third consecutive Native Excellence Scholarship. Neubauer graduated from Central Wyoming College with associate degrees in health science and equine science and is now continuing her education at Casper College. Her academic progress demonstrates the value of sustained scholarship support as students advance toward their educational and career goals.

Jerel Kohler (Northern Arapaho) is also receiving his third consecutive scholarship. Kohler attends Central Wyoming College, where he is studying Agricultural Leadership. He has expressed a strong interest in integrating traditional Tribal knowledge and agricultural practices into modern agricultural systems to strengthen local food production and economic opportunity.

Benjamin Butler (Northern Arapaho) is a first-time scholarship recipient attending Colorado State University, where he is studying Soil and Crop Sciences. His field of study provides important knowledge and skills applicable to agricultural production, land management, and the future of agriculture in Native communities.

Rhonda Bowers (Northern Arapaho) is also a first-time scholarship recipient. She attends Central Wyoming College, where she is studying Agricultural Leadership, preparing for opportunities to contribute to the future of agriculture and agricultural development.

Investing in Education and Wind River’s Economic Future

Since its launch in 2024, the Native Excellence Scholarship Program has become an important part of WRDF’s broader economic development strategy, recognizing that investing in people is just as important as investing in businesses, infrastructure, and community resources. By supporting Native students pursuing higher education, WRDF is helping develop the knowledge, skills, and leadership needed to strengthen Wind River’s agricultural economy and expand opportunities for future generations.

“The knowledge and talent are already here in Wind River,” said Warren-Yarber. “Our goal is to help create opportunities for that talent to grow and succeed. By investing in education, we’re also investing in future entrepreneurs, agricultural professionals, and community leaders who will help shape the economic future of Wind River.”

The Native Excellence Scholarship Program is supported by the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF), a private charitable trust. With WRDF’s recent NAAF funding award, the organization has secured sufficient resources to continue the scholarship program for at least two additional years, providing $10,000 annually to support Native students pursuing higher education. With $30,000 in scholarships awarded since 2024 and another $20,000 in funding available for the next two years, WRDF is positioned to invest at least $50,000 in Native students through the program.

Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) has been awarded $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) to expand access to capital and business development services on and near the Wind River Indian Reservation.

The award was made through the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program and represents the maximum award available through the FY2025 funding round. WRDF will use the investment to increase its lending capital and strengthen technical assistance programs serving entrepreneurs, businesses, agricultural producers, and community members.

“We will put this award to work creating more economic opportunity on Wind River,” said Paul F. Huberty, Executive Director of WRDF. “Access to capital remains one of the greatest barriers facing entrepreneurs. This investment gives us more capacity to help businesses start, grow, create jobs, and build wealth within our local economy.”

As the only certified Native Community Development Financial Institution headquartered in Wyoming, WRDF combines lending with individualized technical assistance to help entrepreneurs and borrowers strengthen their businesses and successfully access and manage capital.

The Treasury award comes during a period of significant growth for WRDF and its sister organization, Wind River Sage Fund. The two organizations are implementing more than $40 million in economic development projects in the region.
In announcing the FY2025 awards, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized both economic opportunity and accountability.

“Today’s awards reflect Treasury’s commitment to ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and advancing economic opportunity in communities that need it most,” Bessent said. He added that the investments are intended to “support local economic growth, expand opportunity, and deliver lasting results for the American people.”

Those priorities closely align with WRDF’s approach to economic development: attracting outside investment to Wind River, stewarding those resources responsibly, and converting them into lasting economic and community benefit.

“Our lending program can meet a broad spectrum of capital and assistance needs for local entrepreneurs,” says Erika Warren-Yarber, WRDF Chief Operating Officer. “Whether someone is in the initial idea phase or is looking to expand an existing business, we encourage them to get in touch with our staff to learn how we can support them in achieving their business goals.”

The CDFI Fund’s NACA Program provides Financial Assistance and Technical Assistance awards to CDFIs that primarily serve Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian individuals and communities. The program is designed to increase access to capital, credit, financial services, and economic opportunity in Native communities.

The Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) announced today that it has been awarded a $658,000 grant from the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF), the largest NAAF grant received by WRDF to date. The one-year award brings together WRDF, the Wind River Food Sovereignty Project, and the newly established Sweetgrass Food Lodge in a collaborative effort to strengthen the local food system on the Wind River Reservation.

The grant is designed to support multiple parts of the local food ecosystem. WRDF will receive lending capital to provide financing to Native farmers, ranchers, producers and agriculture-related businesses. The Wind River Food Sovereignty Project will provide grants and technical support to encourage increased local production of beef, produce and other healthy foods. Sweetgrass Food Lodge will receive resources to purchase the locally produced food for its newly opened community food lodge.

Together, the three organizations are creating a cycle in which local resources support local producers, increased production creates a greater supply of healthy food, and local organizations create a market for that food while improving access for families across the Wind River Reservation.

The NAAF award builds upon a much larger investment in food sovereignty already underway on the Wind River Reservation. Through the federal Recompete Pilot Program, Wind River Development Fund, Wind River Sage Fund and its partners are investing approximately $4.2 million in a Food Sovereignty initiative designed to strengthen the infrastructure, organizations and local capacity necessary to create a more resilient and self-sustaining food system.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Native American Agriculture Fund for recognizing and investing in our collective vision for a strong, locally driven food ecosystem on the Wind River Reservation,” said Paul F. Huberty, Executive Director of the Wind River Development Fund. “This is another example of organizations across Wind River coming together through shared leadership to attract significant outside investment.”

The Wind River Food Sovereignty Project (WRFSP), also located in Fort Washakie, works to increase the availability of locally produced, healthy and affordable food on the Wind River Reservation. Its work includes supporting local producers and developing a demonstration farm designed to increase food production, build agricultural knowledge and demonstrate sustainable growing practices.

Elisabeth “Livy” Lewis, Executive Director of the Center for Popular Research Education and Policy, which manages the Wind River Food Sovereignty Project, commented, “This support from NAAF allows the Wind River Food Sovereignty Project to offer individually tailored support to new and established producers on the Wind River Reservation. Producers identify their individual needs and receive technical assistance, mentorship, and direct financial support for start-up costs and improved infrastructure.” She continued, “NAAF funding is unique in that it prioritizes connecting resources directly to Native food producers, allowing community-led groups like ours, the Wind River Development Fund and Sweetgrass Food Lodge to work with producers to build a more resilient food system on the Reservation.”

The Sweetgrass Food Lodge, established in 2025, is committed to restoring access to traditional and healthy foods, supporting local producers, and serving community members with dignity. Its newly opened food lodge provides another critical piece of the local food system by creating a place where locally produced beef, produce and other foods can directly benefit Wind River families. The Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative is also supporting this effort by donating locally harvested buffalo to the Sweetgrass Food Lodge, providing a culturally significant and nutritious source of food for the lodge and the families it serves.

“It’s exciting to finally see the development of an actual food system on the Wind River Reservation,” said Odessa Oldham, Sweetgrass Food Lodge Executive Director. “The Sweetgrass Food Lodge is so thankful for the NAAF grant to elevate our community in addressing food insecurity. I have no doubt it will assist us in growing our collaborative partnerships to create better food access, build our traditional foods through culture learning classes, and set a foundation for a more healthy lifestyle for our community.”

The Native American Agriculture Fund was created from the settlement of the landmark Keepseagle v. Vilsack class-action lawsuit. NAAF is the largest philanthropic organization devoted solely to serving Native American farming and ranching communities and works to promote the continued growth and development of Native agriculture.

Toni Stanger-McLaughlin, CEO of NAAF, said, “At NAAF, we know that access to capital is one of the most important tools a producer can have. This investment puts capital directly in the hands of producers on the Wind River Reservation and opens new avenues to financing that haven’t always been within reach. Wind River Development Fund, Wind River Food Sovereignty Project, and Sweetgrass Food Lodge are building a food system with community, culture, and wellness at its center, and shows what is possible when producers have the capital to grow and strengthen rural and Tribal communities.”

WRDF was one of only 28 organizations nationwide and one of six Community Development Financial Institutions selected for funding through NAAF’s 2026 funding cycle.

Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) and its sister organization, Wind River Sage Fund (WRSF), have each received clean, or unmodified, independent audits for fiscal year 2025. The results mark WRDF’s third consecutive clean audit and WRSF’s first audit since the organization was established. Because of the increased level of federal funding managed during the year, both organizations also underwent the more rigorous federal Single Audit process.

The independent audits provide important assurance to funders, partners, and the Wind River community that WRDF and WRSF maintain strong financial systems and controls as the organizations attract and deploy increasingly significant public and philanthropic investments in the region. Strong financial stewardship – including independent audits, effective internal controls, compliance, and transparency – is an essential part of ensuring those investments are managed responsibly.

For WRDF and WRSF, however, responsible stewardship extends beyond accounting for dollars. Guided by a long-term, seven-generations perspective, the organizations are focused on turning investment into lasting economic and community benefit – through businesses, jobs, workforce skills, infrastructure, revolving capital, and other assets and opportunities that remain long after individual grants have ended. The goal is not simply to attract investment to Wind River, but to ensure that investments create positive economic impact for our community members.

Calling All Future Leaders in Native Agriculture!

Are you a student passionate about farming, ranching, or agricultural leadership? Through a proud partnership with the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF), the Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) is looking for the next generation of leaders to strengthen the Wind River Reservation’s food systems and economic future through the Native Excellence Scholarship Program.

Why Apply?

The program provides up to four $2,500 scholarships to Native American students pursuing degrees in agriculture. Whether you are interested in equine science, resource management, or agricultural leadership, WRDF wants to help you achieve your goals and expand your expertise in the agricultural industry.

Are You Eligible?

• Current Native American high school senior or college student
• Must reside in Wyoming
• Enrolled/attending college for the fall 2026 semester
• Demonstrated commitment to the Native agricultural community

What You Need to Apply

In addition to completing an application, applicants must provide Tribal citizenship documents or proof of descendancy from a federally or state-recognized Native American tribe.

Take the Next Step!

Don’t miss this opportunity to fund your education and lead the way in Native agriculture. For application details or questions, please contact:

Erika Warren-Yarber, COO
Email: erika@wrdf.org
Phone: (307) 335-7330

The Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) today announced the award of a construction contract to Panacea Construction Group of Dubois, Wyoming, for the design, fabrication, and construction of a 40-foot by 40-foot steel pavilion at the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative.

The pavilion is funded through one of six grants awarded to WRDF by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and represents another investment in expanding outdoor recreation and educational opportunities on the Wind River Reservation. Once completed, the pavilion will serve as an outdoor education center where visitors can learn about the Tribal Buffalo Initiative, the cultural significance of buffalo, and ongoing efforts to restore this important resource.

Jason Baldes is the Executive Director of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative. He commented, “We are excited to be working with the Wind River Development Fund on the construction of a new pavilion at the headquarters of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative. This new project will help connect our communities to our work, where locals and visitors to the area can stop and learn about Tribal Buffalo restoration and reconnection.”

The project also includes the construction of a restroom facility, installation of picnic tables, and educational interpretive signage to enhance the visitor experience and create a welcoming space for community members, students, and visitors.

“This project is about more than constructing a pavilion, it is about creating a place where culture, education, and community can come together,” said Leslie Shakespeare, Chief Implementation Officer at the Wind River Development Fund. “WRDF’s role is to bring together the funding, partnerships, and project management needed to move the Tribal Buffalo Initiative’s vision into construction. Upon completion, ownership of the pavilion and related improvements will remain with the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, ensuring this investment is locally stewarded, and available to serve future generations.”

In a related effort, the Wind River Sage Fund, WRDF’s affiliated nonprofit organization, is partnering with the Tribal Buffalo Initiative on the design and development of the new 12,000-square-foot Tribal Buffalo Center. The $9.75 million project will serve as the permanent home of the Tribal Buffalo Initiative and will include community gathering space, exhibits and cultural artifacts, educational programming, and research facilities. Construction is anticipated to begin later this fall, further advancing a shared vision of buffalo restoration, cultural revitalization, education, and economic opportunity on the Wind River Reservation.

The Board and staff of the Wind River Development Fund, alongside our sister organization Wind River Sage Fund, are working every day to expand economic opportunity across the Wind River Reservation and throughout the region. Together, we are building something both ambitious and deeply rooted—an Indigenously designed economic model grounded in community, reciprocity, and long-term prosperity.

As the only Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in Wyoming, the Wind River Development Fund remains focused on supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses. In 2025, we provided technical assistance to 239 individuals, delivering 462 hours of business planning, financial coaching, and entrepreneurial support. We also reached a major milestone by closing $1.8 million in loans, growing our portfolio to 31 active loans totaling $3.3 million.

These numbers reflect more than activity—they reflect access. At a time when many are questioning which economic strategies truly work, we are demonstrating that a community-centered, Indigenous-led model can deliver strong, sustainable outcomes. We hope you take the time to download our 2025 Impact Report to learn more about what we’re doing and how we’re doing it.

The Wind River Development Fund is pleased to announce we have seated new officers for our board of directors: Roxanne Friday (Eastern Shoshone and Seneca) as President; Scott Ratliff (Eastern Shoshone) as Vice President; and Bryan Neely as Treasurer. Other members of the board include Roy Brown (Northern Arapaho), Heather SunRhodes (Northern Arapaho and Jemez Pueblo), and Clarinda Calling Thunder (Northern Arapaho).

This is the first time in the organization’s history a woman has been elected to the position of President and a milestone worth celebrating as part of Women’s History Month, which is observed every March to honor the contributions, accomplishments, and impact of women in American history.

“We are grateful for the strong commitment that our officers and board members have provided to Wind River Development Fund, as well as their dedication to creating economic opportunity for our community members. Seating the first woman as President of the board is a capstone for our recent accomplishments that highlights the significance of women leaders,” says Paul Huberty (White Earth Ojibwe), Executive Director of Wind River Development Fund.

Roxanne Friday, who will lead our board of directors as President for the next three years, was also the first woman to be ordained to the priesthood of the Episcopal Church in the state of Wyoming. She has been involved with Wind River Development Fund in varying capacities, including as Chief Financial Officer, for the last decade.

“I’m honored to be called upon to be the President of Wind River Development Fund. I have a lot of respect for all of the other board members, and we all work well together. We all respect each other’s opinions and decisions,” says Friday.

Friday’s top priority, working collaboratively with the other board members, will be to focus on economic development through strategies centered on growing small businesses on the Wind River Indian Reservation and surrounding communities.

“I think a lot of it has to do with education and training so people can realize their dreams of having their own business. In the community, I hear people say they wish they could open their own business. Wind River Development Fund can help bring those opportunities to them,” says Friday.

Friday believes the younger generation can have a lot of influence over the Reservation’s economic future. She says, “We have a lot of young people that could get things rolling. We want to see new growth, and education is really the key to help them become entrepreneurs.”

Friday commends the leadership of Wind River Development Fund for the organization’s increasing growth and community impact in recent years. In 2025, we deployed 11 loans totaling $1.8 million and delivered 462 hours of training and assistance to 239 people – all within the boundaries of the Reservation. We now have 34 active loans in our portfolio.

“Wind River Development Fund has a good team that strives to do the best. I’ve seen this team really come together, and we are doing better today than we ever have before,” says Friday with a hopeful outlook for Wind River’s future.

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.