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”
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.
Another Successful Cultural Trip in the Books at St. Joseph’s Indian School
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
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
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
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”
Native American Scholar Aims for Teaching Certificate
In an era abuzz about the teacher shortage and how it is affecting schools across South Dakota, one Native American scholarship recipient aims to make a difference by achieving a teaching certificate in the coming year. Continue reading “Native American Scholar Aims for Teaching Certificate”
St. Joseph’s Alum Is Changing the World, One Haircut at a Time
The slogan for Chelsea Wilson’s “RezKutz” business is, “Your satisfaction is my goal,” and it’s something she lives out through the satisfaction of giving back to the school she attended from 1st through 8th grade: St. Joseph’s Indian School.
Chelsea recently offered two three-hour hair cutting sessions for boys in 1st through 12th grades. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Alum Is Changing the World, One Haircut at a Time”
Thiyóšpaye Challenge Welcomes Spring to St. Joseph’s Indian School
A ripple of colorful ribbon skirts caught the breeze in contrast to the winter-dull grass and signaled, “Something special is going on here.” That’s right! Recently, students at St. Joseph’s Indian School were busy welcoming spring by giving equal energy to academic, cultural, linguistic and athletic pursuits in the school’s first Thiyóšpaye* Challenge. Continue reading “Thiyóšpaye Challenge Welcomes Spring to St. Joseph’s Indian School”
A Note of Thanks to Rec Center Donors
It started where a lot of dreams begin — on paper. When we were dreaming about the Recreation (Rec) Center Renovation and Expansion at St. Joseph’s Indian School, we started sketching and making notes about what this new space could be and what it would mean for the Lakota (Sioux) children at our school. Continue reading “A Note of Thanks to Rec Center Donors”
Students Earn Extra Cash by Painting and Selling Pictures for Youth Art Month
Lakota students at St. Joseph’s Indian School decided to put their creative talents to use in hopes of earning a little bit of extra cash during Youth Art Month. All students had the opportunity to paint any picture in art class using an oil pastel, watercolor technique.
Hannah, St. Joseph’s Indian School art teacher, explained she chose this technique and project so students could be more independent while working on their paintings. Continue reading “Students Earn Extra Cash by Painting and Selling Pictures for Youth Art Month”