Leadership
Our creation stories tell us, we emerged on earth from subterrian wind caves at the same time as the bison.
Board of Directors
Cy Standing
Chairman of the Board
of Directors
Cy Standing has a long and distinguished career including serving overseas as an Electronics Technician in the Royal Canadian Air Force, former Chief of Wahpeton Dakota Nation, former Vice Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations (FSIN), past Executive Director of Community Development Branch of the Department of Northern Saskatchewan as well as an Order in Council appointment to the Federal Parole Board. Mr. Standing has served as a Director on many Profit and Non-Profit Corporate Boards, including serving as a Director for Affinity Credit Union with assets of over $6B as well as IMI Brokerage and Wanuskewin. Mr. Standing brings a wealth of experience to Tatanka Oyate Holdings through his many years of engagement in Economic Development.
Garry Standing
Vice Chairman of the Board
of Directors
Garry Standing has been a member of the Wahpeton Dakota Nation Council for 33 years during which he served 9 years as Chief. Garry has been the Manager of Tatanka Store and Gas Bar since 2011.
Councillor Standing has served on several Boards and Committees including 12 years as a Director of the University of Saskatchewan, 9 years as the Vice Chair of the Indigenous Gaming Regulators as well as 18 years as a Director of the Northern Lights Community Development Corporation of which he served 13 years as the Chair.
Garry received a Bachelor of Education (with distinction) in 1996 from the University of Saskatchewan. He has worked for Wahpeton Dakota Nation since 1976 serving the members through his dedication towards ensuring the well-being and prosperity of Wahpeton Dakota Nation.
John Waditaka
Director
John serves as the Chief of Wahpeton Dakota Nation. Chief Waditaka has a traditional Dakota educational background and is very traditional in his leadership approach through following Dakota Values. Chief Waditaka currently serves as a Director and President of the Prince Albert Development Corporation (PADC) as well as numerous other Boards and Committees including the Chairman of the Wahpeton Dakota Nation economic development committee and previously taught Dakota language at the Wahpeton Dakota Nation School. John is an avid golfer and spends much of the summer singing at Powwows and Sundances.
herbert urton
Director
Herbert Urton is a visionary and quintessential entrepreneur. He was born with a pioneering spirit and drive to explore new frontiers, both geographic as well as economic. He is known for “breaking trail” from regional to international initiatives that connect people, resources, and business opportunities on behalf of an improved quality of life, better stewardship of natural resources, and solid financial returns. The businesses that have developed from these initiatives were grounded in trust, transparency, and respect to fill cultural gaps, meet unaddressed needs, and create win-wins for all partners.
One Sky Group is currently pursuing public, private and government partnerships in Saskatchewan to expand trade and investments, improve quality of life for indigenous communities and advance cross-culture business ventures in the areas of forestry, mining, and addiction recovery..
curtis Standing
Director
Curtis serves as a Councillor of Wahpeton Dakota Nation. Curtis is currently the Host and Executive Producer of the Indigenous Radio Show broadcast from Saskatoon and former Executive Producer of the Saskatchewan World Indigenous Festival for the Arts and was involved in organizing the Junos when hosted in Saskatoon. Curtis is also the former General Manager of the Painted Hands Casino in Yorkton and former Assistant Manager of Northern lights Casino in Prince Albert.
Councillor Standing is a traditional Dakota Pow Wow Dancer frequenting Pow Wows and Sun Dances throughout the summer and spends much of his spare time in the winter using his skills as a former hockey player to mentor his Grandchildren in hockey. Curtis has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Regina and has completed graduate studies at the University of Nevada, Reno.