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.

Join in the Fun and Rich Culture at St. Joseph’s Indian School’s 48th Annual Powwow

St. Joseph’s Indian School’s 48th Annual Powwow will take place Sept. 21, 2024.

School is back in session at St. Joseph’s Indian School, and staff and students are hard at work preparing for the powwow of the wakhaŋeža – the blessed little ones. Annually on the third Saturday of September, the school hosts the powwow, which is open to the public. Some one hundred ten St. Joseph’s students and more dancers from around the region will participate in beautiful Native American regalia on Sept. 21, 2024. Continue reading “Join in the Fun and Rich Culture at St. Joseph’s Indian School’s 48th Annual Powwow”

Welcoming New and Returning Students at St. Joseph’s Indian School

The 2024-25 school year at St. Joseph’s Indian School has officially begun!

August 11 marked the start of an exciting new chapter for students at St. Joseph’s Indian School. After a gloomy, rainy start to the day, the sun cast its warm rays over campus. Warming and calming the hearts of children and their families as they arrived with anticipation and excitement. Continue reading “Welcoming New and Returning Students at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

St. Joseph’s Indian School Hosts National OK Corral Equine Therapy Training

(Left to right): OK Corral President Greg Kersten; Therapy Horse Coachee; Counselor Darcy, MSW, LCSW; Therapy Horse Sox; Equine Specialist Patricia; and Counselor Amanda, MS, NCC, LPC, learning to use all available resources in a crisis in order to teach clients to do the same.

St. Joseph’s Indian School hosted a national training for the OK Corral Equine Therapy Red Series in July. Attendees included 10 of the school’s counseling staff, three attendees from nearby Lower Brule Reservation and seven others from around the country. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Hosts National OK Corral Equine Therapy Training”

St. Joseph’s Indian School Bookmobile Completes a Record-Breaking Summer

It was another record-breaking summer for the St. Joseph’s Indian School Bookmobile!

The St. Joseph’s Indian School Bookmobile wrapped up a busy summer in mid-July. The tour broke records in every category! Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Bookmobile Completes a Record-Breaking Summer”

A Tale of Trust: Frankie’s Journey at St. Joseph’s Indian School

A stray dog trotted onto St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus and, months later, would trot into a brand new life.

A remarkable story unfolded in the heart of South Dakota on the grounds of St. Joseph’s Indian School. It’s a tale of patience, perseverance and trust embodied in a stray dog. Continue reading “A Tale of Trust: Frankie’s Journey at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

The Fun Never Falls, It Rises at Rising Eagle Day Camp

At St. Joseph’s Indian School, the fun never falls … It just keeps on rising! Especially when Native American children attend Rising Eagle Day Camp! Speaking of rising … We experienced a RISE in fun and a RISE in our camper numbers! This year Rising Eagle Day Camp served 764 children. That is an increase of 34 kids compared to the 2023 camp season. Continue reading “The Fun Never Falls, It Rises at Rising Eagle Day Camp”

Another Successful Cultural Trip in the Books at St. Joseph’s Indian School

The Moon When the Leaves are Green hangs over Matȟó Pahá.

On Thursday, May 16, the 21 seventh-grade students of St. Joseph’s Indian School prayed and smudged before embarking on the trip that has become a rite of passage. Continue reading “Another Successful Cultural Trip in the Books at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

St. Joseph’s Indian School Repeats as Top-Rated Nonprofit

Eight years and counting … St. Joseph’s Indian School is once again named a Top-Rated Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits!

St. Joseph’s Indian School was recently named a “2024 Top-Rated Nonprofit” for the eighth year running by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and nonprofits. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Repeats as Top-Rated Nonprofit”

Seventeen Graduate from St. Joseph’s Indian School Grade School Program

Eighth-grade graduates received their completion certificates on May 24, 2024.

On Friday, May 24, seventeen students were honored as they finished their grade school years at St. Joseph’s Indian School. One of the most joyful events of the year, graduation is always a celebration of thiyóšpaye — extended family — among relatives, staff and students of the school. Continue reading “Seventeen Graduate from St. Joseph’s Indian School Grade School Program”

St. Joseph’s Indian School Conducts Ceremony for MMIR

Students participated in a walk to American Creek Park to raise awareness of MMIR in the Chamberlain community.

On an afternoon in early May, a bit cooler than seasonal and under cloudy skies, students in first through twelfth grades and staff gathered on the lawn of the Wisdom Circle on the campus of St. Joseph’s Indian School for a solemn event. The gathering was a ceremony to pray, raise awareness and request healing and resolution around the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Conducts Ceremony for MMIR”