About the Chamber

The Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce, the primary tourism marketing entity for the Pine Ridge Reservation, sits at the gateway of South Dakota’s famed Badlands National Park, home of the world’s “Richest Mammalian Fossil Beds.” The chamber provides information on the rich Native American history and heritage of the area, including the Wounded Knee Massacre site, the Wounded Knee Museum, Oglala Lakota College Historical Center, the Red Cloud Heritage Center and the Crazy Horse Memorial. At the chamber’s Visitor Center, visitors can explore a popular wildlife exhibit and learn what significance animals played in the Lakota culture. They can also browse original works of art created by Oglala Lakota artisans.

The Chamber is an association of business people — working together to make the Pine Ridge area a better place in which to live, work and raise a family.

Partnerships

The Chamber understands the importance of partnering with like-minded organizations to accomplish the goals and mission set forth. These are some of the partnerships the Chamber is involved in

The Oweesta Collaborative

Collaborative of nine organizations focused on economic development on three reservations.

Native Discovery Partnership

Partnership between three reservation based organizations and one off reservation organization focused on bringing awareness of the reservations to out of state travelers.

The Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates

Alliance of the nine tribes of South Dakota focused on tribal tourism.

Meet the Team

  • Fallen Sorbel

    POSITION

    CRST Enrolled Member

  • January Mathis

    POSITION

    OST Enrolled Member

Board Members

The Chamber is governed by a board of directors. The directors are nominated from the membership every two years. The officers are nominated by the elected board and serve in capacity for one year. Officers include a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and 5th member.

  • Arlin Whirlwind Horse

    PRESIDENT – OST Enrolled Member

    Business Owner – Badlands Outfitters

    arlinwh@hotmail.com

    PO Box 622 Kyle, SD 57752 605-455-1169/454-6249

  • Shawn Reinhart

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Oglala Lakota College

    reinharts12@gmail.com

    1600 Dorothy Dr Rapid City, SD 57703 Oglala Lakota College

  • Gerald Cournoyer

    TREASURER - OST Enrolled Member

    Business Owner/Artist – Studio 35

    studio3502@yahoo.com

    PO Box 523 Manderson, SD 57756 605-407-4565

  • Whitney O’Rourke

    SECRETARY – OST Enrolled Member

    Thunder Valley CDC

    whitney@thundervalley.org

    PO Box 290 Porcupine, SD 57772

  • Kristy O’Rourke

    MEMBER – OST Enrolled Member

    Business Owner – Badlands Enterprises

    PO Box 392 Porcupine, SD 57772