Skya Ducheneaux is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and grew up on her family's cattle ranch on the east end of the CRST reservation. She is the Executive Director of Akiptan, a certified Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), which finances Native agriculture producers all across Indian Country. Skya had lead the team since inception and plays a critical role in culturally consonant capital deployment, financial literacy empowerment and industry expertise. 

 

Her career is dedicated to agriculture economic development in Indian Country. Over the years Skya has served on numerous boards, advisory committees and coalitions, plays an active role in federal policy advocacy, and contributed to economic development strategy.