This year, Thin Elk is looking at three issues: implementing a medication assisted therapy program, working with Native adults with complex PTSD and expanding adolescent mental health services to the Sioux Falls School District. 'I witnessed it on both ends of the spectrum, where my dad was definitely the leader who was out there creating change in the collective front, and my mom was more at home with nurturing steadfast security, even though she didn't have a lot of that growing up,' Thin Elk said. Thin Elk's father, who has been in recovery since she was born, developed a culturally based addiction recovery program called the 'Red River Approach.' Growing up, her father spent most of his time on the road driving to different tribal communities all over South Dakota to counsel people trying to get sober, while her mother took care of her and her family at home. 'I was always called a natural helper, it just comes easy,' Thin Elk said.īorn to two leaders in the Native community and fluent speakers in Dakota and Lakota languages, Thin Elk's parents are huge influences.

Born in Armour, South Dakota, Thin Elk was raised in Vermillion, studied psychology at the University of South Dakota and has a master's in mental health counseling. Serene Thin Elk, 39, serves as South Dakota Urban Indian Health's Behavioral Health Director. Abu has lived in Sioux Falls for almost a decade and has been in his position for a year. This year, Abu will be focusing on building collaborative partnerships across the board with community stakeholders in Sioux Falls' housing sector and working with those partnerships to develop solutions for the current housing crisis.

Mark miller takenote