Identity area
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Description area
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History
Bill Nibbelink received his journalism degree from South Dakota State University in 1975 and began his career at the Moody County Enterprise newspaper. He met Tom Daschle through the SDSU Democrats and supported Daschle during his first two campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives. With limited campaign funds, Nibbelink designed brochures and posters for the grassroots “Door-to-Door” campaign. He also served as Daschle’s representative on the Moody County recount board during the contested 1978 election.
After Daschle was elected to Congress, Nibbelink worked in his Mobile Service Office, providing constituent services across 22 counties in eastern South Dakota. Each month, Daschle returned to South Dakota for two weekends, during which Nibbelink handled all the driving using the Mobile Service Office — a van outfitted as a mobile office.
Nibbelink also played a key role in Daschle’s early efforts to promote alcohol fuel development. He helped create pamphlets and books on the topic and collaborated with Dave Billion in Sioux Falls to convert a Pontiac station wagon to run on pure ethanol.
Following his time with Daschle, Nibbelink became active in Native American housing and tribal affairs. He served for 15 years as Executive Director of the Santee Housing Authority. In 1996, he founded his own firm, Bill Nibbelink & Associates, focusing on grant writing and administration for American Indian housing. He also served as an advocate in Washington, D.C.
Nibbelink was appointed to the Native American & Alaska Native Housing Commission, where he played an instrumental role in the passage of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996.