ARNELL D. ABOLD

Arnell D. Abold, an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Tribe, has been appointed to the position of the Business Development Director for Tanka Resilient Agriculture Company (TRAC), a Tanka Fund Company.

Ms. Abold comes to TRAC and Tanka Fund with an extensive history and background in buffalo restoration efforts and working with 75+ Tribes, tribal communities and community members to return buffalo to tribal lands and the people. Her previous position was spent as the Executive Director for 4 years (2017 – 2021) and 16 years (2001 – 2017) as the Fiscal Director of the InterTribal Buffalo Council. Ms. Abold’s prior experience included experience as the Finance Officer to the Treasurer for the Oglala Sioux Tribe; a Business Manager for Red Cloud Indian School, as well as a Business Manager for American Horse Indian School. Prior to graduating from the University of South Dakota Vermillion, Ms. Abold was selected to participate in the prestigious Walt Disney World College Program for an internship in Orlando, Florida. This internship was the jumping point for her career working in the hospitality industry in Orlando Florida as a Finance Director for a property management company. In 1994 Ms. Abold returned home to South Dakota where she currently continues to reside.

Ms. Abold’s educational background consists of an MBA in Business Administration as well as an MM in Human Resource Management, both of which were obtained from National American University in Rapid City, South Dakota. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Throughout her life and career, Ms. Abold not only gained valuable experience along with insightful knowledge, but she also learned to be open to continually being willing to learn, grow and step up to challenges. The Buffalo have been a part of her life and story for 20 years and it was through the Buffalo that her connection to her culture and spirituality became visible. She continues to devote her career to the vision of seeing Buffalo on the land, believing that the Buffalo are the connection for our people to believe in a better tomorrow and together we can help create a reality that empowers us to live not only a better today but, inspires us to keep fighting for a better future for the people, the land and the Buffalo.

email: arnell.abold@tankafund.org