Oyate Concern is a Christian ministry working to serve the Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Oglala, South Dakota (located in south-west South Dakota). We believe in being a part of the community and sharing in the problems and solutions of the community as neighbors and friends. We believe in empowering local leaders and community members to bring life-giving hope and resources into the community. We believe in the ministry of reconciling God and people, and share the gospel to make disciples who are equipped to plant life-giving churches. Our ultimate goal is to raise up indigenous Christian leadership and to empower the community to a stronger, healthier lifestyle spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

To accomplish this goal we have established four main programs:
Teen Night Discipleship Group
Blow-Out Kids Club
Oyate Concern Christian Preschool

We seek to fulfill the Great Commission and to empower Lakota believers to lead in the church and community.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV).

Kathi Dyer

Kathi has lived or worked on the Pine Ridge Reservation for almost 23 years.  She has 5 children of her own and many “other” children who call or think of her as mom.  She is the ministry’s current CEO, Accountant, and Preschool Director.  She loves children and has a passion to serve them on the reservation in Oglala.

Kathi homeschooled several children along with her children. In 2009, she began the school. In 2023, the Christian School broke off and became its own entity, Oyate Hope Academy. Kathi still teaches the preschool.

Kia Steele

Kia is an indigenous leader.  She came to the children’s program, Blow Out, at 9 years old.  Blow Out is where she asked Jesus to be King of her life and she has followed and grown in Him ever since.  She moved back to the reservation in 2012, with a heart to serve the community where she grew up.  She is the current director and teacher of the youth ministries and also assists in the Preschool and with many other daily functions of the ministry in Oglala.