Meet our Team

Lisa Picotte is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, “Hunkpapa Lakota” from the community of Bullhead, SD. In 1987, her family relocated to Loneman on the Pine Ridge Reservation. As active members of the community, Lisa’s father, Joseph Picotte Sr., was employed as an accountant, and her mother, Mavis (Fasthorse) a cook for Loneman School. Lisa attended and graduated from Red Cloud High School.

Continuing her education, Lisa gained her diploma in Registered Nurse (RN) from the University of South Dakota and her bachelor's degree in nursing at South Dakota State University. Lisa has had a vast nursing career, with significant   Emergency Department experience via various Indian Health Service details serving the Aberdeen Area. As a traveling RN, she served as an Infection Control Officer, Assistant and Director of Nursing to numerous Skilled Nursing and Restorative Nursing facilities across SD, NE, and NM.

Throughout such strategic nursing roles, she has participated in numerous State, Federal, Infection Control, and Joint Commission surveys, consistently achieving outstanding results—including the proud milestone of zero nursing   staff deficiencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. With 21 years of RN   experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to her current role as Director of Nursing at OL-DBH’s Residential and Detox facility. Thrilled to join the OL-DBH team, Lisa is excited to lead Detox staff in providing services to the Oyate.

In her personal life, Lisa loves spending time with family and making memories. She is mother of two girls, an uŋcí (Grandmother) to two grandchildren, and a beloved “Aunty” to several nieces and nephews 

My name is Carnita Cordier, and I am a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with the Oglala Lakota Division of Behavioral Health. Earlier healthcare experience includes several years at the Pine Ridge Indian Health Service (IHS). Here I was a Health Technician in the Acute Care Department, where I was given the greatest opportunity to float across specialties to provide hospital services widely. Throughout my career at IHS, I aided in the Emergency Department, Outpatient Care, Podiatry, Optometry, Orthopedic, Physical Therapy, Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, and the Mobile Clinic. Serving my Pine Ridge patients was enriching and fulfilling. I appreciated the opportunity to make a positive impact on my patients’ lives and they showed me tremendous kindness in return.

To start, the birthplace of my CNA   journey began at the long-term care facility, Gordon Countryside Care (GCC). GCC strives to provide the highest level of individualized care to residents,   empowering them to achieve maximum physical and mental well-being while   ensuring dignity and a superior quality of life. At GCC, I served through the   COVID-19 pandemic, while a stressful time in the health field, I genuinely   cherished my time spent there and the chance to learn. GCC offered me a   practical way to develop bedside skills and become proficient in interacting with patients. 

Currently, I am attending classes at Oglala Lakota College for a dual bachelor’s degree in nursing and natural science. My professional aspirations are to grow from a Certified Nursing Assistant to one day a Medical Doctor. I am driven by a desire deeply committed to making   a meaningful difference, empowering patients through compassion and   unparalleled care, support, and guidance, and elevating their health and well-being to new heights. My enthusiasm for delivering exceptional care to my patients, exceeding their expectations, and making a profound impact on their lives propels my path forward.

Foremost, I am a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. As such, family is the cornerstone of my values. In my leisure time I love to read, especially books written by Anne Rice and Clive Barker, and series such as ACOTAR. Additionally, I enjoy arts and crafts like crocheting, knitting, and sewing. Also, as a music enthusiast, I have learned to play   guitar and the violin. 

My name is Tia Janis, and I am a proud member of the Oglala

Sioux Tribe. I was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Reservation and graduated from Little Wound School. In 2024, I

received my certificate in natural resources from Boxelder Job

Corps and am now working towards a bachelor’s degree in

natural science at Oglala Lakota College.

During my experiences with Job Corps, I not only bolstered a

drive to build a career in which I can help others, but I also

realized that assisting others can be fulfilled through healthcare

and agriculture, both fields close to my heart. As I am at the

beginning of my professional career in healthcare and the

agriculture industries, my deepest aspirations are to foster and

assist the growth of strong and healthy well-being for the Oyate

and improve the surrounding lands and waters to enhance our

lives.

As a Counselor Aide with the Oglala Lakota Division of Behavioral

Health, I am developing skills to provide care and compassion for

those struggling to find balance and peace in their lives, while

also restoring our rich, beautiful lands and bringing clean water

to our communities.

My name is Nicole Condon, I am an enrolled tribal member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, my Lakota name is Mni Luta – Red Water. Born and raised by my grandmother, she instilled a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and values such as respect, courage, and strength in us children growing up. As a dedicated caregiver and mom of four young men of all ages, I am enthusiastic about helping others and finding innovative ways to balance work and family life. Happy people deeply drive me, and I believe in empowering others to achieve their unique success. 

Throughout my career, I have held various health service roles. For example, as a Van Referral Driver for the OST Ambulance service, I was responsible for transporting patients to health appointments and ensuring their safe return home. This role provided me with the opportunity to obtain a Basic Vehicle Extrication and an Emergency Vehicle Operation certification. As a Cook Aide at the Oglala Lakota Nursing Home, I prepared meals and served patients. In the presence of elders, smiling, laughing, and sharing stories would always brighten my day. It was as a Medical Support Assistant at the Pine Ridge IHS where my deeper introduction to the health field took place. At IHS, I gained a wealth of knowledge across a plethora of departments, from behavioral health, acute care, outpatient, pediatric, women’s health, ortho, surgery, and mobile clinic. 

Presently, at the Oglala Lakota Division of Behavioral Health as a Counselor Aide, I guide individuals who attend our program with encouragement during their treatment journey. I aspire to encourage their strength to make positive changes in their lives and help them look forward to a better future. 

In my free time, I love to travel, cook, and stay up to date on current events in the world. Attending church with my family and attending bible study are personally important as well. Frequently, I volunteer at the Partnership for Housing Program in Pine Ridge to help feed the homeless. Future educational aspirations are to pursue a degree in nursing 

Keisha Carbajal, Hehaka Tokiya Iyanke Win (Elk Runs First Woman), is a proud member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Mother of three beautiful children, she actively takes part in the Lakota culture and way of life. Her current cultural focus is in seeking woksape (wisdom) and learning the Lakhol iyapi (Lakota Language).

From an early age, Keisha built upon an unwavering interest in healthcare fueling her natural compassion for those in need. Her experience in healthcare began as a technician at Northeast Panhandle Substance Abuse Center in NE. Following gained proficiency in residential treatment, Keisha went on to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). 

Thus, her career has evolved thorughout various CNA and similar roles; in spaces such as the Gordon Memorial emergency department, Countryside Care Retirement Community, Oglala Lakota Nursing Home, private healthcare, and the Pine Ridge Indian Health Service acute care and mobile clinic units. By 2021, Keisha obtained certifications in intravenous (IV) hydration, phlebotomy, and registered medical assisting through Intellitec College. 

Presently, Keisha is pursuing her associate's in nursing at Oglala Lakota College aspiring to be a Registered Nurse. As a Counselor Aide with OL-DBH, Keisha is motivated to assist her community by enhancing further skills and competencies within the behavioral health sector.

My name is Danielle Whirlwind Horse. As an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, I was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Through Oglala Lakota College, I obtained an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a certification in Office Technology. 

Presently, I am employed as a Counselor Aide with the Oglala Lakota Division of Behavioral Health, assisting clients on their journey towards wellness and recovery. I was drawn to this role due to my own experiences with loss and the need to start over physically, mentally, and spiritually, but more importantly, I love helping people.

In my leisure time, I enjoy my family, who include my 3 children, 3 grandchildren, and 3 grand animals.