Overview
Free Lakota Bank (FLB) Pine Ridge SD was a private precious-metals banking and currency organization established in 2008 through a partnership between Lakota sovereignty advocates and the American Open Currency Standard (AOCS). The organization operated a commodity-banking model centered on silver and gold deposits, precious-metal-denominated investments, and the issuance of silver, gold, and copper currency. Free Lakota Bank served as the issuer of the Lakota currency series, including the annual Crazy Horse rounds issued from 2008 through 2013.
Location / Years
Location: Pine Ridge, South Dakota (mailing address)
Active: 2008–2018
Free Lakota Bank launched in 2008 and remained active throughout the issuance period of the Lakota currency program. Archived website content documents ongoing operations, customer accounts, investment programs, and currency issuance through 2013, with website activity continuing into 2018. By 2020 the website was no longer operational.
Roles
Issuer: Free Lakota Bank
Distributors: AOCS Mint and Mulligan Mint
Currency Program Operator: Free Lakota Bank
Approval Network: American Open Currency Standard (AOCS)
Manufacturer/Mint:
- AOCS Mint Frisco TX (likely, 2008–2012)
- Mulligan Mint (attributed, 2012–2014)
Leadership
Canupa Gluha Mani
- Ithanchan (Leader) of Free Lakota Bank
- Member of the Strong Heart Society
- Associated with the Black Hills Treaty Council
Rob Gray
- Founder and Executive Director of AOCS
- Publicly described AOCS as a driving force behind Free Lakota Bank in partnership with the Black Hills Treaty Council
- Copyright holder identified by the initials “RJG” appearing on later Lakota currency issues
- Co-founder and President of Mulligan Mint during the final years of the Crazy Horse series
Organization
Free Lakota Bank described itself as a commodity bank that:
- Accepted deposits in silver and gold
- Paid interest in silver
- Operated a General Development Fund
- Issued silver, gold, and copper currency
- Promoted precious-metals commerce and commodity banking
- Utilized AOCS-approved currencies exclusively
The organization repeatedly stated that it was launched in partnership with AOCS and operated within the AOCS monetary ecosystem.
Known Output
Lakota Crazy Horse Currency Series
- 2008 Silver
- 2009 Silver
- 2010 Silver
- 2011 Silver
- 2012 Silver
- 2013 Silver
- 2013 Limited Edition (1,000) 2008–2013 Crazy Horse Commemorative
The series was officially retired in November 2013 after a six-year run.
Successor Program
- Pine Ridge Silver Community Currency
Additional Currency
- Gold-denominated Lakota issues
- Copper-denominated Lakota issues
Notes
Free Lakota Bank functioned as the issuer of the Lakota currency program rather than merely a distributor. Archived materials show the organization announcing new issues, managing exchange rates, operating investment programs, retiring series, and introducing successor currency programs.
The relationship between Free Lakota Bank and AOCS is explicitly documented by Free Lakota Bank publications. Later Lakota issues bear the inscriptions AOCS APPROVED and © 2013 RJG, linking the currency program directly to the AOCS network and Rob Gray.
Based on currently available evidence, the Lakota currency series appears to have been manufactured during two distinct periods:
- AOCS Mint (likely) — 2008 through 2012
- Mulligan Mint (attributed) — 2012 through 2014
The 2013 Lakota issues represent the strongest documented connection between Free Lakota Bank, AOCS, Rob Gray, and Mulligan Mint.
References
Archived Free Lakota Bank website materials
American Open Currency Standard (AOCS) materials
Free Lakota Bank announcements and currency program publications
South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation advisory (2013)
Observed Lakota currency issues dated 2008–2013
Archived statements by Canupa Gluha Mani and Rob Gray regarding Free Lakota Bank and AOCS
Coins from Free Lakota Bank (Pine Ridge, SD) (1)
