Buffalo Society
Support Oglala Lakota College’s student scholarship endowment by joining Tatanka Okolakiciye, Buffalo Society, today.
Over the years, Oglala Lakota College has given so many students the opportunity not only to survive... but to thrive. In this way, you could say the college is much like the buffalo once was to the Lakota people. The mighty buffalo supplied our ancestors with everything they needed: food, clothing, tools, weapons, and more. OLC, in turn, provides our students with essentials like hope, self-reliance, and the education they need to forge successful and fulfilling lives.
Recognizing the pivotal role we play in helping improve the lives of our students and a great need to circumvent the financial burden posed on many of our students who would not be able to attend college without additional aid, OLC has established the esteemed Tatanka Okolakiciye, or, Buffalo Society to generate funding for student scholarships.
Your gift to become a member of the Buffalo Society will allow OLC to endow more scholarships that will make a life-changing impact on so many of our students, their families, communities and the entire Lakota nation.
Membership Levels and Benefits
Buffalo Society offers a variety of membership levels to fit your unique financial contribution abilities. No contribution is too small, nor is any contribution too large. Your support for Buffalo Society is certain to make a difference in the lives of others.
Buffalo Calf Society – The symbol of new life
$40 to $199 – Receive membership card and certificate.
Buffalo Yearling Society – The symbol of growth
$200 to $249 – Receive membership card, certificate, plus a beautiful pin.
Buffalo Mother Society – The carrier of new life and wisdom
$250 to $499 – Receive membership card, certificate, beautiful pin, plus a matted buffalo art print by Norman ShortBull.
Buffalo Bull Society – The father and protector
$500 to $999 – Receive membership card, certificate, buffalo pin, plus a unique carved wood buffalo by Darrell Hunter.
Buffalo Elder Society – The teacher and keeper of knowledge
$1,000 to $9,999 – Receive membership card, certificate, buffalo pin, unique carved wood buffalo by Darrell Hunter, plus an invitation for a personal briefing with the OLC President.
Lead Buffalo Society – Provides direction, leadership, and courage
$10,000 to $99,999 – You can name a permanent endowed scholarship and receive a matted and signed white buffalo art print by artist Don Ruleaux (a special art piece created for the Society), an invitation for a personal briefing with the OLC President, plus a Tatanka Okolakiciye recognition plaque.
White Buffalo Society – The keeper and teacher of the spiritual ways
$100,000 plus – You can name a permanent endowed scholarship and receive a matted and signed white buffalo art print by artist Don Ruleaux (a special art piece created for the Society), an invitation for a personal briefing with the OLC President, a Tatanka Okolakiciye recognition plaque, plus a special tour of the reservation with the OLC President.
Spirit Buffalo Society – The ones who have gone before are honored and remembered
A bequest or planned gift – You can leave a permanent legacy to the Lakota people. Your name or the name of a loved one will be permanently displayed in a special place of honor at OLC. Contact Marilyn E. Pourier, OLC’s Development Director, at 605-455-6045 or mpourier@olc.edu with your plans.
If you wish to become a member of the Tatanka Okolakiciye (Buffalo Society), but do not wish to receive any of the gifts, please include your request on your Donation Form.