Tanksi, Pte’ Sa Sapa Winyan (Black Buffalo Calf Woman) is an enrolled tribal member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (Dakota) from Sisseton, SD, and Sicangu Lakota Oyate from Rosebud, S.D. She has a B.A. from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Master’s in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. She is deeply rooted in Lakota/Dakota culture through ceremony, language, and social dancing (pow-wow).  Tanksi enjoys exercising, sewing and beading traditional regalia, reading, traveling, and best of all being a mother.

Tanksi brings her experience in grant administration, research and evaluation, and advocacy of tribal issues on sovereignty, energy, education, equity, and funding in tribal communities. She has worked extensively in Indian Country to advance and address the unique economic, social and environmental needs while developing, strengthening and enhancing relationships with tribal partners, government relations, funders and industry stakeholders.

Tanksi joined GRID Alternatives in December 2018 as the Managing Director of the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund. She conceptualized and created the tribal-focused grantmaking and leadership programs which have grown in scope and impact over the years. Currently, she provides thought-leadership to the TSAF team and leads fundraising efforts for GRID’s tribal work which includes the TSAF and Tribal Program implementation team.