BROOKINGS, S.D. (DRG News) – South Dakota State University and Crazy Horse Memorial’s Indian University of North America have formed a partnership to offer an undergraduate certificate in leadership and sustainability. The program starts with the fall 2020 semester.

The 15-credit-hour program is titled Wachante Hecha Wizipan or Wizipan for short. In the Lakota language, it means “The Heart of Everything that Is.”

Crazy Horse Memorial president and chief operating officer Laurie Becvar says the entire program is taught from an indigenous lens, with the major themes of care of self, care of culture, care of community and care of the environment.

The Wizipan program continues building upon SDSU’s Wokini Initiative that provides resources and access for Native American students pursuing a higher education. The distinctive program will be offered at Crazy Horse Memorial’s Indian University of North America and the Black Hills will serve as a natural laboratory for case studies.

The Wokini Initiative was started when Dr. Barry Dunn was chosen as President of SDSU in 2016.