Did you know St. Joseph’s Indian School has a sister school in Germany? Yes! The school is called Gymnasium Leonium in Handrup, Germany. Why? It all ties back to our roots in Germany, where founder Fr. Leo John Dehon originated the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
Students from both schools can participate in the exchange program, where they immerse themselves in each other’s cultures. For the Lakota (Sioux) children at St. Joseph’s, visiting Germany opens up new horizons, allowing them to experience European culture, history and education. Conversely, when students from Germany visit St. Joseph’s, they are introduced to the Lakota traditions, history and contemporary life.
And, boy, were our Germany students blessed with exactly that during their visit in September for the wonderful experience of the 48th Annual Powwow. However, “wonderful” might not be the exact word used to describe how the trip began.
“Our German guests had quite a start to their time in the United States!” said Maija, a St. Joseph’s staff member integral to the planning and execution of the trip.
First, our German guests’ flight was delayed at the Chicago airport, and then, they lost their luggage! But, these are small blemishes on what would become a truly amazing trip as we more than made up for that by showing them our St. Joseph’s spirit of positivity, faith and fun.
Their visit was packed with engaging activities and cultural exchanges. During powwow, they attended workshops on making dreamcatchers and learned about Lakota games with Lakota elder, Michael Marshall. Patty, St. Joseph’s equine specialist, taught a hands-on lesson in making fry bread the morning of our powwow. Attending a powwow was a new experience for the students from Germany. The dancers, drummers and regalia amazed them.
Following the powwow, students traveled to the Crow Creek Reservation to visit the Tokata Youth Center. There, our Germany guests learned about Lakota spirituality, cooking, cleaning, expressing feelings and even composting! The group then traveled east to the Lower Brule Reservation. At the tribal headquarters, they participated in a walk along the river for suicide awareness and tied yellow ribbons for those affected by suicide. According to a 2023 Suicide Surveillance Report, suicide rates on South Dakota reservations are alarmingly high. For instance, the counties with the highest suicide rates include Todd County (61.4 per 100,000 people), Oglala Lakota County (57.4 per 100,000 people) and Corson County (53.8 per 100,000 people). Native American people in South Dakota have a higher suicide rate than any other racial group.
During the walk, students discussed reservation life with locals, learning about the struggles and pride of living on a reservation. Following the walk, a former St. Joseph’s student who attended gifted them with natural medicines and diffusers.
A westward drive to the Black Hills of South Dakota was a must! The Germany students enjoyed an obstacle course at Rushmore Tramway. This was followed by a hayride complete with sing-a-longs, cowboy hats, bandanas and a delicious “Cowboy Cookout.” During the hayride, they saw elk, deer, prairie dogs, antelope and rabbits.
“The next day was amazing, as we drove around Custer and saw more wildlife, including a herd of buffalo!” said Maija.
Staying at a cabin in Custer, SD, allowed close proximity to the Crazy Horse Memorial, where they listened to a traditional Ojibway flute player, and Mount Rushmore, where they walked around the massive monument.
Following the excursions, German students gave presentations to our fifth grade through high school students, who had many questions about life in Germany, pop culture, favorite music and leisure activities. Our St. Joseph’s students’ generosity shined as they gave bracelets and a necklace to our guests.
Before leaving, our guests shared how much they learned about Lakota culture, the struggles Native Americans face and the hope and progress toward a brighter tomorrow. Most importantly, they were touched by the resilience of the Lakota people. This visit was a testament to the power of cultural exchange, and we are grateful for the connections made and the lessons learned.
To learn more about programs and services at St. Joseph’s Indian School, visit stjo.org today
