Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation

“Please tell me where else is one of the largest tower cranes in the world being erected high up on the side of a mountain? I believe we are the only ones attempting such a feat." Mary Murtala, Chief Development Officer at Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, queried recently, asking a question many others might also have in mind. Murtala alongside Chief Mountain Officer, Dr. Caleb Ziolkowski, was at the top of the Mountain recently to see the latest progress of the new industrial tower crane installation up close and excitedly shares, "The winter temperatures were not a deterrent. I was on the Mountain two Fridays ago to view the concrete pad along with the base piece of the tower crane, now in position, awaiting completion of this stage.” The base piece of the crane is visible to visitors, as far as away as the Welcome Center, through the “tunnel” under Crazy Horse’s extended arm. One more aspect of the Dream coming to life, one more way we're all working together to fulfill the mission of the Foundation and the original co-founders and dreamers, Chief Henry Standing Bear and Korczak Ziolkowski. Stay tuned for more updates about the tower crane and robotic arm in the coming months!

Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is #hiring!

The Indian University of North America? of Crazy Horse Memorial? is #hiring!

Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is excited to welcome Dr. Gordon Ambrosino as the new Managing Director of Museum, Interpretation & Cultural Affairs of The Indian Museum of North America? at Crazy Horse Memorial?. Dr. Ambrosino will begin his new role in late January of 2025. Dr. Ambrosino, currently serving as the Curator at the Plains Indian Museum within the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, brings a wealth of experience and academic expertise to his role. He holds a Ph.D. from La Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, along with a B.A. from Northern Arizona University. In addition to his curatorial work, Dr. Ambrosino is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Anthropology Department at the University of New Mexico. His extensive background includes positions as a NAGPRA Coordinator at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology and Auburn University, as well as postdoctoral fellowships at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where he contributed significantly to the Art of the Ancient Americas Department. Dr. Ambrosino's career is marked by a commitment to cultural preservation and education, demonstrated through his previous roles as a Collections Manager and Repatriation Specialist at the Field Museum in Chicago and as a consultant for archaeological and curatorial projects in Colombia. His diverse experiences, ranging from teaching to museum management, underscore his dedication to anthropology and the arts. As he continues to shape the narrative of Plains Indian culture, Ambrosino's work not only enriches the Museum but also fosters greater understanding and appreciation of Indigenous heritage. “We are excited to bring Dr. Gordon Ambrosino to Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation to lead The Indian Museum of North America?," said Whitney A. Rencountre II, Crazy Horse Memorial? CEO. "Gordon’s experience at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, along with his experience working with tribes, will be a great resource for the Memorial. The CHMF Board of Directors and Senior Executive Team look forward to working with him to ensure The Indian Museum of North America? continues to advance our mission.” Dr. Ambrosino uses his ethical principles to guide his curatorial and educational work, upholding the same values of merit, inclusion, reciprocal benefit, and growth as those held by the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation (CHMF) and drawing from his previous roles, he envisions designing, implementing, and providing strategic direction for vibrant curatorial and educational programs that foster enduring, mutually beneficial relationships with Crazy Horse Memorial?.

We are thrilled to announce Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation CEO, Whitney A. Rencountre II, received an Honorable Doctorate of Public Service from his alma mater, Black Hills State University, on December 14, 2024!?Whitney is a strong leader, an empathetic listener, and believes in the power of education for all.?We are proud of his accomplishments and grateful for his work at the Foundation. Read his inspiring story in the article from Sioux Falls Live, below. https://lnkd.in/guwjNBdH

Tuesday may have been #SouthDakotaGives and #GivingTuesday, but the season of giving continues at Crazy Horse Memorial?! As a thank you for your generosity, now through December 31st, our supporters will receive the special collector’s 2024 holiday ornament for gifts of $100 or more. With this support and your continued belief in the project, we are able to continue to fulfill our mission to protect and preserve the cultures, traditions, and living heritage of all North American Indians. Go online now to https://lnkd.in/g9T4jYvh and designate your gift towards supporting a student at The Indian University of North America?, the Mountain Carving, or any other aspect of the Memorial that resonates with you. Contribute by December 10th if you hope to hang your ornament from the tree before Christmas.

In preparation for the new Wichozani Health and Wellness Program beginning January 2025, The Indian University of North America? of Crazy Horse Memorial? is #hiring!

The Indian University of North America? of Crazy Horse Memorial? is #hiring!

November 13-14th, Crazy Horse Memorial? Director of Human Resources and Director of Mountain Technical Services, and Director of The Indian University of North America? attended CultureCon West in Las Vegas, Nevada. CultureCon is an annual conference that offers continuing education and new outlooks on workplace culture and organizational leadership. The staff that attended took the opportunity to participate in sessions that offered enhancement in team building, managing difficult conversations, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, recruitment, retention, employee value propositions, and much more. During this time, the attending Memorial staff members also had extensive social networking opportunities with other Human Resources/People Operations professionals, employee law attorneys, Chief Executive Officers, mental health professionals, and many others in attendance. The Crazy Horse Memorial? staff walked away from CultureCon West 2024 with new insights and better understandings in workplace culture evolution.

This weekend, Crazy Horse Memorial? staff members Megan Sams and Ceclie Sailer supported Native American Heritage Day at Jewel Cave's Visitor Center, sharing information about the Memorial and the new Wichozani wellness program at The Indian University of North America?.