Growing up Indian

Sunday, November 7, 2010

This morning the front page of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader paper featured a series “Growing up Indian”. If interested the following link has some informative articles about the places our students come from, with pictures and video.

http://www.argusleader.com/section/gui

What I appreciated about the article was that they tried to present “The Rez” in all its complexity. While there are serious problems, there is also hope and love and family. It’s our hope at St. Joseph’s that we can form leaders who will make positive choices and make a difference for their people.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.

5 thoughts on “Growing up Indian”

  1. Dear Fr. Steve,

    Amen Neven. Thank you for sending that very touching video and article link. It mad me cry to hear that one of the girls was killed. When Kenny heard of it, (He wasn’t in the room when I played it.), his face turned red and he clenched his fists.

    You see,it comes on the tail of Dr. Petit’s news of the verdict of one of his family’s attackers.

    My heart was already breaking from the thought of what the two men did to him and his family, ( He was my doctor), that when I heard that mother talk about her daughter I couldn’t help but break down and cry.

    Guess I’m just a bit too sensitive when it comes to bad news about good people. That’s just the way the Good Lord made me I guess.

    Hope all is well with you and the staff & kids at St. Joseph’s.

    All our love,

    Nancy & Kenny

  2. We need a gteat deal of improvement in our planning and thinking in the United States. PERIOD.
    There is no reason why the Indian people should be allowed to suffer this way. Yes, there are ways to bring this tragedy to an end. It would take a little time, and some money.
    However, too many of us have “our own truth”..and want to live “our own lives”…and in doing so, remain proudly on the road to Hell..Mrs. Obamas trip to Spain cost a few million. But, of course, SHE needed that, and anyhow SHE put the FIRST beehive on the Whitehouse lawn this month !
    Years ago, Sanapia (Comanche Medicine Woman)said, “One day, White Man all be gone from here. The Indian will rule again .” God Bless Sanapia. I hope she is right.
    Meanwhile, good people struggle..to improve what they can. Father Steve..you are reaching the world from there..keep on keeping on…In your hands, it’s more than local.
    Planting seeds is NOT an insignificant job..!
    God Bless all people who love and care..! We weep with those who weep and suffer over these unrighteous and terrible injustices.
    Lovingly,
    Mia and Bob

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