A Vision of Compassion: The Story of Red Feather Development Group
A Chance Encounter Sparks a Movement
In 1994, Robert Young was on a business trip in New Mexico when a newspaper headline changed his life: "Native American Elders Freeze to Death." The article described the dire housing conditions on reservations, where harsh winters led to tragic deaths due to inadequate shelter. Robert, a successful entrepreneur, was deeply moved and carried the article with him, unable to forget the suffering it described.
A few weeks later, he learned about an Adopt-A-Grandparent program for aging Native Americans. Without hesitation, he signed up and was matched with Katherine Red Feather, a Lakota Sioux elder from Pine Ridge Reservation. Through their correspondence, Robert came to understand the challenges of reservation life—Katherine lacked basic necessities, and many homes were dangerously unfit for the severe climate. Determined to help, he traveled to Pine Ridge, where he witnessed firsthand the devastating housing crisis.
Building a Home for Katherine
Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is one of the most economically challenged areas in the United States. The bitter cold winters and scorching summers make insulated, secure housing essential, yet many homes lack basic infrastructure. Robert and his wife, Anita Young, wanted to help Katherine as she endured the harsh and unsafe conditions of her trailer. Back in Seattle, Robert and Anita couldn’t stop thinking about her. One evening, Robert voiced his thoughts:
"She needs to be in a place that will keep her warm. A place where the wind doesn’t blow through the walls. Katherine needs a real house."
That summer, Robert, Anita, and a group of friends returned to Pine Ridge to build Katherine a home. Only a few of the original volunteers had any kind of construction experience, but their determination was unwavering. News of the project spread, and soon dozens of Katherine’s neighbors and family members pitched in to help. With headlights illuminating the worksite late into the night, they worked tirelessly to complete the home. Katherine’s tribal chairman offered a prayer of thanks, and her family gathered to celebrate the milestone.
Robert and Anita knew this was bigger than one house—it was a movement. But one question lingered: "What about the others still living in unsafe conditions?"
Founding Red Feather Development Group
The challenge of building individual homes was daunting, but Robert and the University of Washington found a unique solution in straw-bale construction—blocks of straw covered in stucco, offering excellent insulation and affordability. Straw was abundant on the Great Plains, making it an ideal building material.
Determined to scale up efforts, Robert sold his share of his business and, alongside Anita, founded Red Feather Development Group, relocating to Bozeman, Montana, to be near multiple reservations.
University Partnerships and Straw-Bale Innovation
Recognizing the need for sustainable, scalable housing solutions, Red Feather partnered with the University of Washington (UW) and Penn State University through the American Indian Housing Initiative. This collaboration brought together architecture and engineering students to construct straw-bale homes and educational facilities on reservations, demonstrating the viability of low-cost, energy-efficient housing.
The initiative not only provided housing but also empowered communities by promoting self-sufficiency and hands-on learning. Students worked alongside tribal members and non-Native volunteers, ensuring that each project reflected cultural knowledge, mutual understanding, and long-term sustainability.
Expanding the Mission: Homes Built and Volunteers United
Over the next decade, Red Feather’s dedication was translated into action. The organization built 18 homes and countless home renovation projects, each completed in 28-day cycles, thanks to an army of passionate volunteers from across the country. Carpenters, architects, students, and citizens answered the call, leaving their homes and jobs to work side by side with tribal members, learning and building together.
Many volunteers had never constructed a home before, but their dedication made a difference. They worked long hours in extreme conditions, hauling materials, framing walls, and applying stucco—each nail and beam reinforcing the belief that safe housing is a right, not a privilege.
Recognition and Growth
By the early 2000s, Red Feather’s impact was recognized nationally. In 2003, Robert and Anita received the the Volvo for Life Award, celebrating community-driven initiatives. That same year, Red Feather received Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network “Use Your Life Award”, providing critical funding and visibility.
Hollywood icon Robert Redford further elevated awareness by narrating the documentary Building One House, featuring music from Pearl Jam. Segments aired on The Oprah Winfrey Show, fueling engagement and donations.
Major milestones followed:
*Stanley Tools donated over $100,000 worth of equipment for home-building projects.
*Pearl Jam included Red Feather in their Seattle benefit concert raising over $50,000 in donations and much-needed public awareness.
*National media coverage spotlighted the reservation housing crisis.
These milestones helped Red Feather to continue to expand its programs beyond individual home builds.
Red Feather Development Group Today
Thirty plus years later, Red Feather continues its mission by working closely with the Navajo and Hopi tribes in Arizona, addressing critical housing needs through a range of impactful programs. The Healthy Home Energy and Safety Improvements Program focuses on essential repairs, weatherization, and accessibility modifications, ensuring that families, elders, and individuals with disabilities have safe and livable spaces. Through education and outreach, Red Feather empowers communities with hands-on workshops, teaching home maintenance, energy efficiency, and mold prevention to promote long-term sustainability. Additionally, the Native Home Resource Network program connects tribal members with vital housing assistance, offering case management and support to navigate home repair solutions. These initiatives reflect Red Feather’s commitment to support safety improvements and healthier living environments for Indigenous families.
A Legacy of Compassion: Honoring Anita Young
For decades, Anita Young was the heart and soul of Red Feather Development Group—a woman whose kindness knew no bounds and whose passion for helping others shaped the organization. She dedicated herself to ensuring families had safe, secure homes, always leading with generosity and an unshakable belief in the power of community.
Though she is no longer with us, Anita’s legacy remains woven into everything Red Feather does. To honor her unwavering spirit, Robert and Red Feather are proud to announce the formation of the Anita Young Memorial Fund, ensuring her compassion continues to uplift Indigenous families. This fund will expand housing programs, provide critical repairs, and support community-driven initiatives that reflect her lifelong dedication to service.
We anticipate launching the fund in August 2025. Check back with us in August to learn how you can donate. Red Feather is proud to continue the tradition set forth by the Youngs, forming partnerships with tribes and families to support healthy, sustainable homes—proving that one act of compassion can transform lives for generations.
In 1994, Robert Young was on a business trip in New Mexico when a newspaper headline changed his life: "Native American Elders Freeze to Death." The article described the dire housing conditions on reservations, where harsh winters led to tragic deaths due to inadequate shelter. Robert, a successful entrepreneur, was deeply moved and carried the article with him, unable to forget the suffering it described.
A few weeks later, he learned about an Adopt-A-Grandparent program for aging Native Americans. Without hesitation, he signed up and was matched with Katherine Red Feather, a Lakota Sioux elder from Pine Ridge Reservation. Through their correspondence, Robert came to understand the challenges of reservation life—Katherine lacked basic necessities, and many homes were dangerously unfit for the severe climate. Determined to help, he traveled to Pine Ridge, where he witnessed firsthand the devastating housing crisis.
Building a Home for Katherine
Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is one of the most economically challenged areas in the United States. The bitter cold winters and scorching summers make insulated, secure housing essential, yet many homes lack basic infrastructure. Robert and his wife, Anita Young, wanted to help Katherine as she endured the harsh and unsafe conditions of her trailer. Back in Seattle, Robert and Anita couldn’t stop thinking about her. One evening, Robert voiced his thoughts:
"She needs to be in a place that will keep her warm. A place where the wind doesn’t blow through the walls. Katherine needs a real house."
That summer, Robert, Anita, and a group of friends returned to Pine Ridge to build Katherine a home. Only a few of the original volunteers had any kind of construction experience, but their determination was unwavering. News of the project spread, and soon dozens of Katherine’s neighbors and family members pitched in to help. With headlights illuminating the worksite late into the night, they worked tirelessly to complete the home. Katherine’s tribal chairman offered a prayer of thanks, and her family gathered to celebrate the milestone.
Robert and Anita knew this was bigger than one house—it was a movement. But one question lingered: "What about the others still living in unsafe conditions?"
Founding Red Feather Development Group
The challenge of building individual homes was daunting, but Robert and the University of Washington found a unique solution in straw-bale construction—blocks of straw covered in stucco, offering excellent insulation and affordability. Straw was abundant on the Great Plains, making it an ideal building material.
Determined to scale up efforts, Robert sold his share of his business and, alongside Anita, founded Red Feather Development Group, relocating to Bozeman, Montana, to be near multiple reservations.
University Partnerships and Straw-Bale Innovation
Recognizing the need for sustainable, scalable housing solutions, Red Feather partnered with the University of Washington (UW) and Penn State University through the American Indian Housing Initiative. This collaboration brought together architecture and engineering students to construct straw-bale homes and educational facilities on reservations, demonstrating the viability of low-cost, energy-efficient housing.
The initiative not only provided housing but also empowered communities by promoting self-sufficiency and hands-on learning. Students worked alongside tribal members and non-Native volunteers, ensuring that each project reflected cultural knowledge, mutual understanding, and long-term sustainability.
Expanding the Mission: Homes Built and Volunteers United
Over the next decade, Red Feather’s dedication was translated into action. The organization built 18 homes and countless home renovation projects, each completed in 28-day cycles, thanks to an army of passionate volunteers from across the country. Carpenters, architects, students, and citizens answered the call, leaving their homes and jobs to work side by side with tribal members, learning and building together.
Many volunteers had never constructed a home before, but their dedication made a difference. They worked long hours in extreme conditions, hauling materials, framing walls, and applying stucco—each nail and beam reinforcing the belief that safe housing is a right, not a privilege.
Recognition and Growth
By the early 2000s, Red Feather’s impact was recognized nationally. In 2003, Robert and Anita received the the Volvo for Life Award, celebrating community-driven initiatives. That same year, Red Feather received Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network “Use Your Life Award”, providing critical funding and visibility.
Hollywood icon Robert Redford further elevated awareness by narrating the documentary Building One House, featuring music from Pearl Jam. Segments aired on The Oprah Winfrey Show, fueling engagement and donations.
Major milestones followed:
*Stanley Tools donated over $100,000 worth of equipment for home-building projects.
*Pearl Jam included Red Feather in their Seattle benefit concert raising over $50,000 in donations and much-needed public awareness.
*National media coverage spotlighted the reservation housing crisis.
These milestones helped Red Feather to continue to expand its programs beyond individual home builds.
Red Feather Development Group Today
Thirty plus years later, Red Feather continues its mission by working closely with the Navajo and Hopi tribes in Arizona, addressing critical housing needs through a range of impactful programs. The Healthy Home Energy and Safety Improvements Program focuses on essential repairs, weatherization, and accessibility modifications, ensuring that families, elders, and individuals with disabilities have safe and livable spaces. Through education and outreach, Red Feather empowers communities with hands-on workshops, teaching home maintenance, energy efficiency, and mold prevention to promote long-term sustainability. Additionally, the Native Home Resource Network program connects tribal members with vital housing assistance, offering case management and support to navigate home repair solutions. These initiatives reflect Red Feather’s commitment to support safety improvements and healthier living environments for Indigenous families.
A Legacy of Compassion: Honoring Anita Young
For decades, Anita Young was the heart and soul of Red Feather Development Group—a woman whose kindness knew no bounds and whose passion for helping others shaped the organization. She dedicated herself to ensuring families had safe, secure homes, always leading with generosity and an unshakable belief in the power of community.
Though she is no longer with us, Anita’s legacy remains woven into everything Red Feather does. To honor her unwavering spirit, Robert and Red Feather are proud to announce the formation of the Anita Young Memorial Fund, ensuring her compassion continues to uplift Indigenous families. This fund will expand housing programs, provide critical repairs, and support community-driven initiatives that reflect her lifelong dedication to service.
We anticipate launching the fund in August 2025. Check back with us in August to learn how you can donate. Red Feather is proud to continue the tradition set forth by the Youngs, forming partnerships with tribes and families to support healthy, sustainable homes—proving that one act of compassion can transform lives for generations.
