The Ihanktonwan Nation Community Service Awards were created by the Yankton Sioux Tribe as an annual recognition to honor person(s)/ groups who make significant contributions to the Yankton Sioux Tribe memberships. This service award is given in memory of Richard Leasure. The honoree’s contributions can be made through giving their time, actions, talents and or dedication. The honoree(s) selected should serve as a role model for compassion, service, strive to make the Yankton Sioux Reservation a better place and have a passion for helping others in the community. Honorees can be a tribal or non-tribal member. Sponsors of this annual event are the Richard Leasure family, Ft. Randall Casino and the Yankton Sioux Tribe.

Richard Leasure was a role model and leader within the Yankton Sioux tribal community for over 28 years. He held various positions including TERO Director, YST Environmental Protection Programs Director, manager of the YST Utilities Program and YST Emergency manager. Richard also held several volunteer positions and spearheaded many community projects. Richard was the kind of man who could always be found helping anyone who was in need and truly had a heart for people.

This year’s Ihanktonwan Community Service Award ceremony was held at the Fort Randall Casino on April 27th. 2024 nominees included Jim and Jane Sanchez, Gregory Zephier, Sunnie J. Hare Picotte, Amber Solko Nelson, Jodi Zephier, Julian Winkler, Samantha Fredrick, Adam Mora and Chris Traversie Jr. The 2024 winners of the Ihanktonwan Nation Community Service Awards were Jodi Zephier and Greg Zephier. As follows are their nomination letters.

Jodi Zephier’s nomination letter submitted anonymously Jodi has served as the Marty Boys and Girls Club Director for the last 17 years, serving on the Yankton Sioux Tribe’s Tax Commission and the Yankton Sioux Housing Authority Board of Commissioners since 2021, and brought a community garden to Marty. Jodi was an integral part of keeping our communities growing and flourishing with the community garden. She improved physical health, our community’s natural environment, security, mental health, nutritional science, and reduced food insecurity.

In my professional capacity, I have seen Jodi consistently have compassion, patience, generosity, have common concern for the good of the community, be candid, constructive, optimistic, analytical, and have the upmost integrity, I have a deep respect for Jodi and the honesty she has for herself and others. It is truly inspiring. As a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Yankton Sioux Housing Authority, I have had the privilege for the last three years of witnessing firsthand the outstanding work and positive impact brought by Jodi. She has dedicated countless hours to supporting the various community programs and initiatives. Her expertise in community, health and wellness has been invaluable to the growth and success and fosters reciprocal collaborations.

Jodi promotes healing and growth for herself, her family and community. When we say heal and grow, we heal for ourselves and for so much more. It is not only our lives that are changing, but also the lives of our families, our children, our friends, and communities. Like ripples, it spreads throughout our families, communities, countries and the world. Jodi, like Richard and his commitment to community, symbolize the ripple. They have shown me that healing and growth are about changing the future of humanity. Their teachings have a lasting impact and legacy on our communities.

Jodi Zephier is an essential and beneficial member of our community. It is because of people like Richard and Jodi that the community yields remarkable results and creates lasting change for the better. Pidamaya for your strength, unwavering positivity and love for your community.

Nomination letter for Gregory Zephier as written by Charlize Zephier I am honored to nominate my father for the new annual recognition process that is honoring individuals making significant contributions to the Yankton Sioux Tribe. As a father of 11 children, he exemplifies dedication and selflessness in both his roles at home and in the community.

His commitment to our tribe extends beyond familial ties as he has tirelessly dedicated his time, actions, and talents to improving the lives of others. One notable example is his initiative to clean up trash throughout our communities, a task that he undertakes with unwavering determination and a sense of responsibility to protect our environment and community.

Moreover, his compassion knows no bounds as he opens his house to the homeless, embodying the spirit of generosity and empathy that defines our tribal values. His actions not only provide sustenance but also offer hope and dignity to those in need.

Through his consistent efforts and unwavering dedication, my father has made a profound impact on the Yankton Sioux tribe, embodying the essence of service and selflessness. I wholeheartedly believe that he is deserving of this recognition and serves as an inspiration to us all.

Congratulations to both Jodi Zephier and Gregory Zephier for your well deserved honor of being the 2024 recipients of the Ihanktonwan Nation Community Service Award.