ARNELL D. ABOLD

Arnell D. Abold, a member of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Tribe, is Chief of Operations for Tanka Fund.

Ms. Abold has an extensive background in Buffalo restoration efforts working with more than 75 tribes, tribal communities and community members to return Buffalo to tribal lands and the people. Before joining Tanka Fund, she served as Executive Director for 4 years and as the Fiscal Director for 16 years of the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC).

Ms. Abold’s prior experience included serving 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, FL. 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 resides.

Ms. Abold has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from National American University in Rapid City, S.D. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D.

The Buffalo have been a part of Ms. Abold’s 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