Sharon Small is the Executive Director for People’s Partner for Community Development (PPCD) in Lame Deer, Montana. She’s been with PPCD for 12 years, since its founding. Prior to then, Sharon worked for the Tribe’s Economic Development Committee, where she was responsible for grant management and reporting, overseeing the budget, and external communications with partners and the public.
Sharon was approached by Barbara Braided Hair, PPCD founding board member and chairperson, with the idea of starting a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and five years later PPCD was born. Sharon’s heart has always been in supporting the community, and she tries to stay focused on what is happening locally. She grew up on a ranch on the Tongue River and remains heavily involved in ranching. Additionally, she runs a construction company and tourism business. Outside of her work and community involvement, Sharon has three children and one grandchild.
Strengthening Economies and Communities
PPCD is a Native-led nonprofit organization serving the communities of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana. The organization helps create a stronger reservation economy while maintaining strong connections to their land, their traditional values, and their cultural history. PPCD provides financial opportunities to stimulate economic development by promoting self-sufficiency, self-determination, and an enhanced quality of life for the reservation communities. It also offers the tools, resources, and training to help individuals, families, and entrepreneurs create better lives and a stronger community.
At the beginning, PPCD had five or six staff members who were committed to expanding economic development opportunities on the reservation. Now 23 people work for the organization that’s changing many lives. The impact of PPCD has been felt by community members who take part in financial literacy programs as well as loan assistance, which has resulted in improved credit scores for participants. The organization lends support and guidance to local entrepreneurs, opening over 35 new small businesses on the reservation. Small business training takes place at the Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer and teaches entrepreneurs about the fundamentals of running a business. These businesses provide jobs and economic activity, keeping income circulating on the reservation. Currently 72 cents of every dollar leave the reservation, and Sharon is working to reduce that amount by cultivating local business growth.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sharon had an eye-opening moment about food sovereignty within the reservation. Community members were unable to leave the reservation to purchase produce, meat, or other goods from a grocery store. PPCD used this moment to pursue food sources and open a grocery store on the reservation to provide for the community. Additionally, PPCD operates a butcher shop so members can process their own meat on the reservation.
Range is a Local Resource Range has been with PPCD since its beginning. Sharon said, “Range has been a great local resource. As a rural entity, PPCD understands there may be issues with service, but the Range team is always helpful with getting it back up quickly. Range recognizes how vital PPCD services are to the community, and its team works hard to keep PPCD connected.”
She added, “It’s great to have a local provider so you can build a relationship with the support team helping you out. Ours includes Irvin Weide, a Range Business Solutions Technician. Irvin has been great about helping with any connectivity issues, as well as setting up our phone system between branches in Ashland and Lame Deer. Having a 3CX phone system that staff can take on the go is key to running the business between two offices, as are the many services Range provides throughout the reservation.”
What’s Ahead for PPCD?
PPCD offers many services in the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation community and will be opening the Morningstar Credit Union soon, which will be a banking option for community members in Rosebud and Bighorn counties. Information about the Peoples Partner’s for Community Development can be found on their website, www.peoplespartners.org, or by calling 406-477-PPCD.
Originally published in October 2022 Customer Connections Newsletter
