Thrive Tribe

🔥 PLEASE HELP US WELCOME DANNY PACHECO AS THE NEW TREASURER OF THRIVE TRIBE! 🔥

Thrive Tribe is proud to announce Danny Pacheco as our Treasurer - a strong community leader, mentor, man of faith, and advocate for Native youth and families.

Danny is a member of Dakota AIM Grassroots and serves as a deacon at First Body of Jesus Christ Church. He brings not only leadership and accountability to this role, but also a powerful testimony of healing, resilience, and transformation.

As a proud Lakota man, Danny speaks openly about overcoming addiction, incarceration, hardship, and personal struggles. Instead of letting those experiences define him, he turned them into purpose - dedicating his life to helping others heal, grow, and reconnect with faith, culture, and community.

Danny is passionate about mentoring Native youth and encouraging people to break cycles of addiction, violence, hopelessness, and disconnection. Through honesty, compassion, cultural pride, and faith in Jesus Christ, he continues to uplift others and remind people that change is possible.

His commitment to helping families heal, empowering young people, and strengthening community makes him an incredible addition to Thrive Tribes leadership.

We are honored to walk alongside someone whose life reflects courage, accountability, humility, and hope for the next generation.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Danny Pacheco to the Thrive Tribes family! ❤️💛🖤🤍

Meet, Chelsey Prusha. 🖤 Thrive Tribes second board member & board secretary .

Chelsey Sarah Prusha, B.Msc., is the founder of Synergy Wellness Collective, Heartfelt Healing Hypnotherapy, and Synergy Living Education & Childcare-a Waldorf-Lakota inspired approach to early childhood education and care. Her work is centered around creating supportive, structured, and heart-centered environments where individuals and families can grow, connect, and feel a true sense of belonging.

With a background in both Western healthcare and holistic approaches, Chelsey brings a well-rounded perspective to the spaces she creates. She is passionate about bridging practical structure with emotional awareness, ensuring that both children and adults are supported in ways that feel safe, consistent, and empowering.

Chelsey’s work is deeply shaped by her own lived experience. As a troubled teen navigating environments that often misunderstood her needs, she understands firsthand the importance of having spaces that provide guidance, structure, and genuine support. This perspective drives her commitment to helping create environments where youth feel seen, valued, and encouraged to grow into who they are.

She also carries a deep respect and connection to Indigenous wisdom and community through her daughter, who is Yankton Sioux. This connection has expanded her understanding of the importance of community-centered care, cultural respect, and honoring the role of lineage, land, and tradition in how we support and raise children.

As a board member of Thrive Tribe, Chelsey is passionate about helping build safe, supportive, and structured environments where children and families feel deeply supported. She brings a connection-centered perspective to her role, with a focus on fostering emotional wellbeing, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging.

We can also give a huge 👏🏽 for the FOUNDER of of the name , Thrive Tribe, itself.

Wophila tanka , Chelsey Sarah Prusha- for believing in our vision.

Dear parents & students ,

Class will be held tonight at park at 6pm.

This month- we are focusing on Moon of the Greening grass (Pħežithó Wi).

We will be doing an outdoor activity related to nature . 💚

Dokśa ✌🏽 see you later .

🔥 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THRIVE TRIBE 🔥

We are proud to share that Thrive Tribe has OFFICIALLY created a Board 🙌🏽
This is a powerful step forward for our vision, our growth, and the impact we are building in our community.

Over the next few days, we’ll be introducing each board member one by one… starting with the woman who started it all 💛

✨ Meet Danica✨
Founder • President • Director of Thrive Tribe

Danica is an Indigenous woman who grew up in a predominantly Caucasian community, often feeling disconnected and confused about her identity. Like many who carry unhealed pain, she turned to drinking and drugs before she ever had the chance to truly meet herself.

Her early teens and twenties were filled with struggle, including time spent in and out of incarceration. In 2022, after hitting rock bottom, she made the decision to turn her pain into purpose, and began her healing journey.

In recovery, Danica recognized a deep need in Mitchell. With reservations all within an hour, Native families often come into town, but many lack access to cultural connection and community while they’re here. She knew Indigenous youth needed a space to feel seen, inspired, and uplifted.

🌿 From that vision, Thrive Tribe was born- a cultural healing class rooted in identity, strength, and community.

What started as a vision has become a movement. Today, Danica continues to walk boldly in her purpose:
• Pursuing a degree in Sociology & Oceti Sakowin Language
• Assistant Director at the Mitchell Indigenous Archaeological Site
• Runway model & **signed calendar model**
• Former pageant queen
• Motivational speaker
• Mother of 3
• Content creator sharing her experience, strength, and hope

Her story is proof that where you come from doesn’t limit where you’re going.

This is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we introduce the rest of our incredible board 💫

We’re raising funds for something special 🖤

Thrive Tribe is working toward our 501(c)(3) status and building out our space at the Guild Hall. To help us reach our $250–$300 goal, we’re hosting a fundraising drawing.

✨ Up for support:
Two hand-beaded medallions made by our Board Member, Danny Pacheco (Rosebud Sioux Tribe) — each piece is unique and handcrafted with care.

💫 How to participate:
• Comment below to claim your spot
• $10 = 1 entry
• $20 = 3 entries
• Payment can be sent via money apps (message us for details)

Once we reach our goal, we’ll go LIVE to randomly select the recipients.

Your support helps us take the next step in creating a community-centered space rooted in culture, connection, and growth 🤍

Thank you for being part of Thrive Tribe.

🌱✨ Thrive Tribe ✨🌱

As we move through the Moon of the Greening Grass (April), we’re stepping into a season of renewal, growth, and gentle awakening. The earth is stretching back to life, and so are we. 🌿

This month, we’ll be creating medicine bags-small, personal bundles filled with intention. Traditionally, medicine bags are sacred items used across many Indigenous cultures to carry objects of spiritual meaning, protection, and connection. In our practice, we’ll approach this with deep respect and mindfulness, focusing on intention, gratitude, and personal reflection.

Your medicine bag can hold anything that represents what you’re calling in this season—
🌼 a dried flower for growth
🪨 a stone for grounding
🌾 herbs for healing
📝 a written intention or prayer

The Moon of the Greening Grass reminds us that growth doesn’t have to be rushed—it unfolds naturally when we stay rooted and open. As you create your bag, ask yourself:
✨ What am I ready to nurture?
✨ What am I ready to release?
✨ What new energy do I want to carry forward?

Let this be a sacred pause—a moment to align with the rhythm of the earth and your own inner becoming.

Can’t wait to create together 💚

At Thrive Tribes Diversion Classes, we are intentional about connecting our youth to culture, identity, and meaning. Each month, we focus on the Lakota name of the moon and what it represents.

April is known as the “Moon of the Greening Grass.” Unlike Western calendar months, Indigenous moons are not fixed—they follow the natural cycles of the earth and sky. This season marks a time when the grass begins to grow again, signaling the arrival of spring. It reminds us that even after the harshest seasons, life returns. Growth is always possible.

We use this teaching to encourage our youth: no matter how difficult your past season has been, new beginnings are possible. You can grow again.

This month, we had the honor of welcoming Danny Pacheco, an Indigenous man whose life reflects that very message. From incarceration in federal prison to successfully completing parole, Danny now uses his strength, faith, and love for Jesus to minister to others. His story is a powerful testimony of transformation and resilience.

Danny shared this message with our youth:

“When I hear ‘Moon of the Greening Grass,’ I think about how nothing grows in winter. Everything looks still, quiet—even lifeless. But underneath the surface, life is still there. It’s just waiting for the right time.

That was my life.

My winter wasn’t snow—it was the choices I was making. I thought I was in control, but I was stuck. Eventually, that life caught up to me, and I ended up in prison.

That was one of the lowest points of my life. Alone with my thoughts, I had to face how I got there. I experienced loss, regret, and pain I couldn’t undo.

But in that place, something changed.

I made a quiet decision: I didn’t want that life anymore.

Change didn’t happen overnight. Just like spring, growth came little by little. I took responsibility. I changed my mindset. I built discipline. Most importantly, I built a real relationship with Jesus.

Slowly, life started coming back.

Today, I have peace. I have purpose. And I get to speak life into others.

So if you feel like you’re in a winter season—know this: it’s not the end of your story. You are not too far gone. But growth is a choice.

When you decide to grow, nothing can stop what God is doing in your life.”

Wóphila (thank you), Danny, for continuing to show up for our youth and for being a living example of growth after hardship. & Thank you to for supporting Danny & for delivering your guidance to our Youth. 🙏🏽

Throughout April, we will continue exploring the meaning of the Moon of the Greening Grass and guiding our youth toward healing, growth, and new beginnings.

🚨 Mitchell, South Dakota — This is YOUR moment. 🚨

Thrive Tribe is building HISTORY.

We are currently looking for passionate, driven individuals to join our Board of Directors— people who care deeply about culture, community, and youth empowerment.

This isn’t just another opportunity…
This is your chance to help create the first-of-its-kind cultural center in Mitchell— something that will leave a lasting legacy for generations.

✨ We already have our President, Secretary, and Treasurer in place…
Now we need MORE ENERGY. MORE VOICES. MORE LEADERS.

If you:
🔥 Care about your community
🔥 Believe in uplifting youth
🔥 Want to be part of something bigger than yourself

👉 We want YOU.

Ages 21+ (youth leaders encouraged!)

Let’s build something unforgettable.
Let’s build Thrive Tribe. 💫

📩 Message us or comment below to get involved!

Davison County has not had any Indigenous youth placed in JDC for the last THREE MONTHS.

Let me say that louder:

NO INDIGENOUS YOUTH FROM THIS COUNTY HAVE BEEN LOCKED UP.

That is HUGE. That is powerful. That is change happening right in front of us.

Way to go 👏🏽

I want these kids to know—I’m rooting for you. I see you. And I’m proud of you.

Thrive Tribe is here, and we’re expanding. We’re now offering free one-on-one mentorship sessions-separate from our regular classes. These are one-hour sessions focused on building a safe, stable relationship so youth can open up and feel supported by a trusted adult.

This is not counseling-I am not a certified counselor. This is mentorship. This is life coaching. This is real connection, paid for by Thrive Tribe, because our youth deserve that space.

If you need support, if you need someone in your corner, if you just need to be heard-Thrive Tribe is always an option.

Please message me for details or email me at [email protected]

We’re here. And we’re not going anywhere 🤍

✨ Thrive Tribe Experience ✨

Our Thrive Tribe kids recently had the opportunity to participate in a truly special guided multisensory journey led by Chelsey Sarah Prusha

This experience focused on helping children slow down, feel safe in their bodies, and connect more deeply with themselves. Through gentle grounding and breathwork, they were guided into a calm and regulated state. A steady drum rhythm followed, creating a soothing heartbeat effect that supported a sense of presence and peace.

From there, the children were invited into an inner journey where they explored a nature based space, connected with a symbolic tree, and stepped into a version of themselves that felt authentic, strong, and grounded.

They also had the opportunity to connect with a power animal, helping them access their inner strength and instincts. Some children chose to connect with supportive ancestral energy in a way that felt safe and meaningful to them.

To close, they were gently guided to reconnect with all parts of themselves and return to a sense of wholeness, followed by a slow and mindful transition back to the present moment.

We are so grateful to Chelsey Prusha for creating such a safe and meaningful experience for our Thrive Tribe kids. 💛