OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE
PARTNERSHIP FOR HOUSING
Serving Families on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Since 1999
HOME BUYER READINESS FINANCIAL EDUCATION ASSET BUILDING
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Buffalo Dreams-Recapturing the Spirit of Self-Sufficiency
Our Staff
Our staff is an experienced and dedicated team committed to assisting tribal members with securing financing for affordable housing & building assets while providing the following education: financial literacy; home buyer; credit when credit is due; post purchase training & estate planning.
Emma Clifford
Executive Director
Emma "Pinky" Clifford has led the OSTPH and its projects since 2003. Ms. Clifford served as a HUD Community Builder from 1998 to 2000. Prior to working with HUD, Ms. Clifford served as a Tribal Council Member representing Wounded Knee District. While on the tribal council, Ms. Clifford served as Vice-Chairwoman of the Economic and Business Development Committee, a member of the Judiciary Committee, and Co-Chair of the Oglala Sioux Tribe New Housing Plan Committee.
A member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Ms. Clifford has been working to improve housing conditions on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for over 30 years. Over this time she has worked to guide, facilitate, coordinate, and assist faith-based, community, and volunteer groups in efforts to carry out community enhancement projects on the reservation. In 2008 she received the Jason Community Service Award from the Housing Assistance Council in Washington, D.C. In 2009 she received the HUD Leadership Award at the Faith-Based and Neighborhood Leadership Conference in Denver, CO. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Oglala Sioux Lakota Housing Authority and as the first and only Native American Board member of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. She also has served on the Board of Lakota Funds, the first Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in America. In addition, she has owned and operated her own community business for over thirty four years. She also helped her late husband with their cattle ranch business for over 25 years. She also served on the Oglala Lakota College Board of Trustees; Lakota Fund Board of Directors & the Shannon Co., now Oglala Lakota County School Board.
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Rosemarie Dillingham
Homebuyer Counselor
Rosemarie is the primary counselor and financial literacy instructor for the organization. She is an enrolled member of the Oneida Tribe with Oglala Lakota blood as well. Ms. Dillingham is certified through HUD training as a homebuyer counselor. She is also trained to conduct other aspects of homebuyer education and financial literacy, including credit counseling, insurance basics, personal budgeting, and credit maintenance. Ms. Dillingham is experienced in administrative processes and has an extensive background working with potential homebuyers, neighborhood development, and in customer relations. As lead homebuyer counselor, she also has developed excellent working relationships with her clients, lenders, and related service agencies. Rosemarie has worked for the US Senate, several federal agencies, and various tribal programs.
Duane Brewer
Secretary/Treasurer
George W. Twiss
Business Manager
George manages day-to-day fiscal operations for OSTPH, is the lead grant manager for the organization, and assists the executive director with administrative duties.
Mr. Twiss joined OSTPH in April 2010 to serve as the organization’s business manager following a diverse career in community service, including serving as director of a private, nonprofit domestic violence prevention/intervention organization for twelve (12) years. He has worked as an Indian Country police officer and criminal investigator, security consultant, policy and procedure consultant, expert law enforcement trainer, and legal advocate. He worked in construction in a family business and as a subcontractor. He is certified through HUD training in Federal procurement and contract administration, as well as conducting environmental reviews.
Elaine Matotamahecha
IDA Coach
Individual Development Account
Elaine Matotamahecha began work with OSTPH, Inc. in 1999 as the Home Buyer Counselor and was one of the first Native American HB Counselors. She also was a packager for the USDA Rural Development 502 home loan. She looks forward to building bridges with our communities via the IDA Program and teaching our participants about Financial Literacy.
Elaine has personally participated in two separate IDA Savings Programs through the Lakota Fund; one for a home and one for business. She plans to complete her Masters in Public Health & minor Pre-med.
Elaine is a life-long resident of the Pine Ridge Reservation and mother of ten beautiful young people ages 5-26. She brings many years of experience obtained from working with youth & families.
We're excited to have Elaine on OSTPH team.
Daniel Bear Runner
Board Member
