While LaRayne usually spends most of her time at St. Joseph’s Indian School as the Native American Studies Lead, she recently hit the road to Sioux Falls (that’s 150 miles away!) for a very special purpose … to be interviewed by Dakota News Now to spread the word about our upcoming 50th Annual Powwow taking place, September 17-19!
In her interview, LaRayne shared how powwow gives St. Joseph’s Lakota (Sioux) students and those from other local communities a place to celebrate their Native American identity, learn traditions and proudly carry their culture forward.
Watch the full interview at Dakota News Now today!
Powwow is the biggest public event hosted annually at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Hundreds of donors from across the country come to witness firsthand what their generosity makes possible. Families come to the event to see their children dance. Alumni, from a few years to decades ago, also come to relive an event pivotal to their childhood. While each group has a unique purpose to be there, a common thread exists: a deep sense of care for the children who are carrying cultural traditions forward.
In her interview, LaRayne explained that St. Joseph’s provides holistic education and care for Native American children — strong academics, cultural education, counseling, healthcare and family support all woven together. She hit the nail on the head! We serve Native American families from reservations across South Dakota and the region, many of whom face deep poverty or limited access to educational resources.
Donor wačháŋtognaka — generosity — is what makes this possible. Families are never charged to enroll their children at St. Joseph’s. 100% of the cost is covered, one gift at a time, by our benefactors. This generosity gives families one less barrier to worry about. This means approximately 200 Native American children each year are blessed with safe housing, nutritious meals, healthcare, counseling and cultural programming, such as Native American Studies and powwow dance instruction.
We appreciate Dakota News Now featuring St. Joseph’s powwow in their powerful, positive story. But, of course, there’s a difference in reading an article and watching an interview about powwow, and witnessing it for yourself. Join us this weekend! 50th Annual Powwow events kick off on Thursday, September 17, and run through Saturday, September 19!
Learn more about the 50th Annual Powwow at stjo.org/powwow today!
