Staff Reflection: Feed Their Bellies and Your Soul

Dining Services staff at St. Joseph’s Indian School work hard preparing food boxes for students and families all across South Dakota in reservation communities.

Note: The following story was written by Maija, a Residential Support staff member at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

Whether it’s around a table or being delivered to those in need, food brings people together. Food can be an expression of culture, a demonstration of love or the glue that gathers friends and family together. Continue reading “Staff Reflection: Feed Their Bellies and Your Soul”

Staff Reflection: Nobody Hikes Matȟó Pahá Alone

A beautiful view from the hike of Matȟó Pahá — Bear Butte.

Note: The following is a reflection written by LaRayne, our Native American Studies teacher at St. Joseph’s Indian School. 

At this time of year, I would normally be hiking what is known as “Bear Butte” to most, and Matȟó Pahá to the Lakota, with 10-12 seventh grade girls and two chaperones, one a generation above and one below mine. This year, I was going to be the Únči — Grandma — guide of the group, but our seventh grade cultural trip was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This past weekend, I decided to hike the culturally relevant butte anyway as a prayer that in the fall I will be able to return with my younger generations to share a spiritual part of our cultural journey. Continue reading “Staff Reflection: Nobody Hikes Matȟó Pahá Alone”

Houseparents Reflect on Acts of Kindness

Houseparents, Bette and Mike (top right) pose for a silly photo with the girls they look after at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

The following reflection was written by Bette and Mike, two houseparents at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Our loving houseparents are an integral part of our mission to care for the whole child — mind, body heart and spirit.

Hello!

My husband, Mike, and I have had the joy of working at St. Joseph’s Indian School for just over five years. If we were asked to express what we felt was the most positive aspect of our job, we would — without hesitation — state it is Continue reading “Houseparents Reflect on Acts of Kindness”

St. Joseph’s Indian School Named Top-rated Nonprofit

St. Joseph’s Indian School named Top-rated Nonprofit for the fourth consecutive year (photo taken before social distancing).

St. Joseph’s Indian School is a “2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and nonprofits. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Named Top-rated Nonprofit”

Serving Hope on the Open Road

If students and families in-need couldn’t come to St. Joseph’s Indian School due to COVID-19 shutdowns, we made a point to go to them.

Although school is not currently in session due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, St. Joseph’s Indian School staff volunteers were still able to deliver some much-needed items to the community to help during a very trying time. Continue reading “Serving Hope on the Open Road”

Caring during a Crisis: St. Joseph’s Response to COVID-19

Virtual story time is just one way we are staying in touch with students during the COVID-19 school closure.

The campus of St. Joseph’s Indian School has remained unusually quiet since March 6 when students returned home for Spring Break. Due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the students were not able to return to campus when planned.

President Mike Tyrell said this has been a strange and challenging time for the organization to have the students absent for over a month with school not returning until next school year. Continue reading “Caring during a Crisis: St. Joseph’s Response to COVID-19”

A Commitment to Serve

For over 20 years, St. Joseph’s Indian School’s Thrift Store has provided outreach support to several South Dakota communities including Eagle Butte, Wanblee, Okreek, Fort Thompson, Martin, Kyle, Allen, Mission and Potato Creek. The program typically visits each community three to four times each year, sometimes more if there is an increase in donations. Continue reading “A Commitment to Serve”

Spirit of St. Joseph’s

The following reflection was written by Joe, St. Joseph’s Indian School’s Director of Mission Integration.

Anna Sewell once said “It is good people who make good places.” This couldn’t be more applicable than during these challenging times we currently face with the outbreak of COVID-19.

St. Joseph’s Indian School shut down campus activities a little over a week ago, with only Continue reading “Spirit of St. Joseph’s”

Parent and Houseparent Work Together to Share the Art of Traditional Beading

Beading isn’t only a traditional form of art for Native American people, it’s also a fun and relaxing activity for students at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

Catherine, a St. Joseph’s houseparent, recently organized a day of beading lessons for the girls in her home and another campus home. She worked hard around activity schedules and winter weather to coordinate the lessons. Jackie, a parent of a St. Joseph’s student, traveled from North Dakota to teach the girls the basics of beading. Continue reading “Parent and Houseparent Work Together to Share the Art of Traditional Beading”