Congratulations to the Fall 2025 Sinew Fund Awardees! The Sinew Fund awarded one individual grant of $5,000 and one collaborative grant of $10,000.

Lead, Never Follow – Gabe Quick Bear
A large-scale mural to be displayed in Rapid City’s “Art Alley”. The project’s core goal is to inspire the Lakota community, especially its youth, by portraying a resilient leader who moves forward despite carrying pain, showing that true strength comes from cultural pride and personal authenticity. Gabe will host sharing sessions with other Oceti Sakowin individuals before painting to gather collective stories and teachings on leadership, ensuring the final design is a direct reflection of this shared community wisdom.

This Land Don’t Let You Grow – Kyle Mesteth and Talon Ducheneaux
A collaborative short film that centers on an individual’s journey of recovery and redemption. This film will feature work from musician and audio recordist Bazille (Talon Ducheneaux,) while also mentoring three student trainees in audio, camera, and post-production. The film will be widely shared through screenings at schools and community centers, aligning with Ground Control’s mission to use their safe space and media incubator to support youth artistic expression, build opportunities, and create jobs at home.