Coming Together in Service: First-Ever Mission Day at St. Joseph’s Indian School

Staff members proudly hold up their completed tie blanket, knowing that someone in need will cherish it.

At St. Joseph’s Indian School, the mission to serve Native American children and families has always been at the heart of everything we do. This year, that mission came to life in a brand-new way with the launch of our very first Mission Day — a powerful, hands-on opportunity for staff to come together and serve not only our students, but also our surrounding communities and reservations.

Held on August 5, Mission Day was more than just a new initiative. It was a day of unity, compassion and purpose. Continue reading “Coming Together in Service: First-Ever Mission Day at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

Feeding Hope Across South Dakota

Each summer food box includes nourishing staples and bottled water, hand-packed with care and compassion for Native American families navigating food insecurity.

Under South Dakota’s vast skies, the road stretched long and endless. From the bluffs of Chamberlain to the rocky edges of Pine Ridge, a St. Joseph’s Indian School vehicle rolled along highway and gravel bearing more than just food. It carried intention, care and the invisible threads of kinship. Continue reading “Feeding Hope Across South Dakota”

Summer School: A Season of Learning and Laughter

At St. Joseph’s Indian School, summer school blends learning with laughter — a season where students explore new skills, deepen relationships and grow — mind, body, heart and spirit.

At St. Joseph’s Indian School, summer school is anything but ordinary. It’s three hours of jam-packed fun, heartfelt learning and the kind of memories that make you wish the bell never rang. Our Lakota (Sioux) students aren’t just hitting the books — they’re exploring, connecting and laughing their way through the season. Continue reading “Summer School: A Season of Learning and Laughter”

From the Plains to Palaces: St. Joseph’s Students Travel on a Life-Changing Journey to Germany

St. Joseph’s staff and students stop for a selfie in front of the beautiful Lucas Fountain in Frankfurt, Germany.

What happens when five high school students from the heart of South Dakota travel to the middle of Europe for a cultural exchange? You get a life-changing, laughter-filled adventure of friendship, growth and global perspective. Continue reading “From the Plains to Palaces: St. Joseph’s Students Travel on a Life-Changing Journey to Germany”

Art Alert! More Inspiring Pieces from St. Joseph’s Indian School

We’re happy to showcase more St. Joseph’s Indian School art to you in this second art update!

Earlier this year, we shared a peek into the art that enriches our campus and reflects the beauty of Lakota (Sioux) culture and Catholic faith. Today, we’re thrilled to share even more pieces that deserve the spotlight. These works are more than decoration — they represent our values, our history and the spirit that guides St. Joseph’s Indian School. Continue reading “Art Alert! More Inspiring Pieces from St. Joseph’s Indian School”

The Spark: A Powerful Message from St. Joseph’s Indian School

Watch the powerful message from St. Joseph’s Indian School and help keep the spark alive.

At St. Joseph’s Indian School, every Lakota (Sioux) child carries the potential to ignite a bright future. That belief is at the heart of our newest public service announcement (PSA), “The Spark”, which has been making waves across the country. As donors share their excitement about seeing it on their television screens, we want to ensure even more people experience its powerful message. Continue reading “The Spark: A Powerful Message from St. Joseph’s Indian School”

An “Eggciting” Adventure at Rising Eagle Day Camp

Campers huddle together with big smiles, capturing a moment of friendship at Rising Eagle Day Camp.

Summer fun was in full swing at Rising Eagle Day Camp. For four weeks, children from Lower Brule and Crow Creek reservations were bused to and from St. Joseph’s Indian School for an experience filled with laughter, learning and … eggs? Yes, eggs! Continue reading “An “Eggciting” Adventure at Rising Eagle Day Camp”

From Seeds to Sweet Success: Second Graders Dig into Business

The second-grade class smiles for a photo as they open for business, selling plants to staff to learn about money management.

This spring, the second-grade class at St. Joseph’s Indian School discovered a little dirt and a few seeds can grow more than just plants — they can grow life lessons, too. Continue reading “From Seeds to Sweet Success: Second Graders Dig into Business”

Keeping Tradition Alive: Story Time at the Aktá Lakota Museum

As students gather each week at the Aktá Lakota Museum, they are part of something bigger — a continuation of oral history, adapted and shared through books written by those who understand their heritage firsthand.

Every Tuesday, something special happens at the Aktá Lakota Museum and Cultural Center, an outreach of St. Joseph’s Indian School. The museum, usually a quiet place, begins humming with the voices of students, educators and community members as they gather for a special tradition — story time.

But this isn’t just any reading session. It’s a moment where Native American authors’ voices shine, where culture is preserved one page at a time and where the next generation of storytellers learns the power of their own voices. Continue reading “Keeping Tradition Alive: Story Time at the Aktá Lakota Museum”

Where Every Wall Speaks: Art Across St. Joseph’s Campus

At St. Joseph’s Indian School, creativity knows no bounds. From hallways to outdoor spaces, each piece tells a story, honors culture, and inspires learning—making the entire campus a living gallery.

At St. Joseph’s Indian School, art isn’t confined to a single gallery — it is the gallery. Art is alive in every corner of campus, from school hallways to outdoor spaces, from the chapel to the Rec Center. It tells stories, honors culture and teaches values.

As we begin to spotlight the many meaningful pieces that shape our environment, we invite you to take a closer look at a few highlights. And stay tuned — this is just the beginning. Many more masterpieces await their moment in the spotlight. Continue reading “Where Every Wall Speaks: Art Across St. Joseph’s Campus”