Thunderbird Media
Lakota Funds recently provided Connie and Manuel Blanco with financing to purchase the remaining shares of Thunderbird Media, Inc., dba Lakota Country Times from majority shareholder Loren “Bat” Pourier. Connie has been the lifeblood of Lakota Country Times for the past five years, excelling as publisher, editor, secretary, treasurer and marketer. Having been a shareholder for those same five years, Connie is thrilled to be the sole owner the publication she helped make into the largest online and print independent Lakota owned and operated newspaper.
L-R: Manuel Blanco, Connie Blanco, Tawney Brunsch, Lakota Funds and Tony Taylor, Lakota Funds
The transition of principle ownership will have little effect on operations of the newspaper as Bat Pourier has primarily been a silent business partner with Connie and Manuel handling day to day management. Connie, an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, along with husband Manuel will continue promoting the motto of the Lakota Country Times of “Truth, Integrity & Lakota Spirit”. To contact the Lakota Country Times for your advertising (internet or print), public service announcements, legal notices, or other information, please call (605) 685-1868 or email at production@lakotacountrytimes.com. Lakota Funds is pleased to provide the Lakota Country Times and the Blanco’s with financing to further supply residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and surrounding communities with quality journalism.
Continually seeking to promote economic development on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Lakota Funds is committed to providing loan funds and technical assistance to a wide range of Lakota owned businesses located on the Pine Ridge Reservation to ranchers and bead workers; wood vendors and construction companies; and all those in between. So far in 2009, Lakota Funds has provided financing to start or expand five businesses on the Pine Ridge Reservation for a total of almost $230,000. For 22 years Lakota Funds has provided business loans ranging from $200 up to $200,000, and technical assistance in the form of financial literacy classes and assistance with cash flows and business plans. To learn more about the business loans and/or the new consumer loan product, the Credit Builder Loan, and the many services Lakota Funds provides thru technical assistance call Tony or Tawney at 455-2500 or check out the website and apply for a loan online at www.lakotafunds.org.
Lakota Funds also offers the opportunity for individuals to participate in an Individual Development Account (IDA). The format is for every dollar that you save the Lakota Funds will match it with two additional dollars. At the end of two years the funds in the account can be used to purchase a home, attend college or start a new business. For more information on the IDA and other services of the Lakota Funds please call 455-2500.
Lakota Funds Upcoming Events:
- Financial Literacy: Lakota Funds will be offering a special one day Financial Literacy class on Saturday, April 18 from 8 am to 4:00 pm. Receive your Financial Literacy Certificate in ONE day! Little Wound School auditorium. Lunch will be provided. Drawings throughout the day. Co-sponsored by LWS Parents group. Pre-registration required please call Peggy at Lakota Funds 455-2500.
- Credit When Credit is Due Presented by the Consumer Credit Counseling of the Black Hills, Saturday May 23, 2009 (9:00 am -4:00 pm).
- Entrepreneurship for the Youth Camp June 07 thru the 12th 2009.