On February 11, 2025, the Tree of Life Board officially welcomed Sandra Spotted Tail as the new director of the Tree of Life Ministries located on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Mission, S.D.  Tree of Life Ministries is a mission to and with the people of the Lakota Nation residing on the Rosebud Reservation. The ministry includes a thrift store, feeding ministry, construction ministry, community gardens, and other efforts to serve in the name of Christ.

The Tree of Life Board selected Spotted Tail following the retirement of  Linda Garriot, who served as director of this United Methodist-related ministry for nearly 10 years.

"We just had an overwhelming feeling that Sandra could further the Tree of Life ministry, and she just had what we're looking for," said Pastor Cheryl Nymann, chair of the Tree of Life Board. "She's a people person. She has excellent resources—knows a lot of people, and has a lot of contacts—so she knows where to turn when she needs help. She loves the people and has always been involved."

Nymann, who serves the United Methodist Churches of Murdo, Draper, and White River, S.D., added, "The Board is very excited about Sandra's leadership and is already seeing her organizational skills at work."

Sandra brings a wealth of knowledge from her leadership experiences within the field of education, an experience that has equipped her to lead and also instilled in her the value of helping people—a value she sees aligning with this position and organization. "I've been an educator for 27 years, and I've always helped students, whether young or old, so my nature is to help people, and this program does that for the people."

Sandra hit the ground running in mid-January as she began to assess the needs for Tree of Life, looking at the different properties on the campus and streamlining processes as she has been multi-tasking numerous items.  She also had the opportunity to work with the staff and interact with the people on the Rosebud Reservation. 

A member of the Lakota tribe, Spotted Tail has lived on the Rosebud Reservation since she was 13. The Rosebud Reservation includes 20 communities, and Sandra looks forward to discovering ways to help all communities within the reservation boundaries. "I'm about helping, and I want to be able to help people as much as I can and expand the growth of a connection with everybody," said Sandra.

Tree of Life Board members: Tom Gilmore, Pastor Cheryl Nymann, Dennis Unkenholz, Sandra Spotted Tail, Randy Burnison, and Jerry Bottger. Shakira Rattling Leaf present via Zoom.

"One of her greatest strengths is that she knows the community—she knows Mission, she knows the Reservation," said Nymann. "She is also familiar with leadership within the Reservation and how that affects everything."

Spotted Tail understands the importance of knowing the community and building relationships and partnerships. "I'm looking forward to working with the different ministries," said Sandra. "I've already reached out to different organizations, and they've reached out to me."

Sandra and the other Tree of Life staff and Board leadership are committed to Tree of Life being a ministry that benefits the people of the Rosebud Reservation as well as those who come to serve as Volunteers in Mission (VIM).

"I think one of [Tree of Life's] greatest assets is being able to help the community thrive but also be an organization that benefits the other people that come to our area [to serve]," shared Sandra. "They get the opportunity to visit a place they're not familiar with and get to know the people and their culture."

"Whether it's a small group or one or two individuals to partake in the VIM teams, people can come down and help people in the communities," shared Pastor Cheryl.  "They come to the Tree of Life, and Sandra has a list of the people that are in need and that have contacted the Tree, and I think she'll be able to find a good fit."

This commitment to, and embodiment of servant leadership stood out to Pastor Cheryl and other board members when interviewing and getting to know Sandra. "I think she's living her life to help other people better their lives."

It wasn't just the Board that saw these gifts in Sandra. Sandra's family also offered words of wisdom and affirmation as she was considering this new vocation.

"I have six children—three adults and three young ones—and one of the first things my fourth child told me is, 'Mom, for all the years that people have known you, you've always helped everybody whether you can or cannot. You go the extra mile, and this would be the right job for you," shared Sandra.

"We are looking forward to how Sandra will be moving the Tree of Life forward into a bright future, serving the Lakota people on the Rosebud Reservation," said Nymann.

"I'm just really happy to be part of the program," added Sandra.

For more information on the Tree of Life Ministry or to connect your mission group for service, please contact Sandra at 605-319-0174.