USDs Center for Disabilities and its Oyate Circle Recognized
Founded in 2017 to serve South Dakota’s Native American people with disabilities, Oyate` Circle is a resource, education, outreach and training project. Led by Lakota tribal members Jim Warne and Wayne Weston, Oyate` Circle addresses significant needs in Indian Country. “No people in the United States have a greater rate of disabilities than the Native American community,” Warne explained.
The Center for Disabilities is housed at the Sioux Falls campus of the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. Since beginning in 1971, the center has endeavored to provide clinical and treatment services for people with disabilities and their families, as well as educate health professionals, the public and decision makers about the needs and contributions of people with disabilities.
