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.

New Look, Same Great Blog!

After some research and creative brainstorming, St. Joseph’s Indian School decided to change things up!

Our new blog looks a little different, but will still have the same great content, timely updates and heartwarming photos we’ve all grown to love.

As we begin our journey with the new blog together, please don’t hesitate to let us know your thoughts in the comment sections after each blog.

We look forward to catching up with you each week!

Thanks for your support of the boys and girls at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Your generosity is impacting and changing lives each and every day!

Our very best today and always.

newlook-samegreatcontent-1

Powwow Weekend has Officially Begun at St. Joseph’s!

Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph's Chaplain Good Day from St. Joseph’s!

St. Joseph’s Powwow Weekend has officially begun! We are enjoying welcoming visitors, donors and friends to campus and look forward to Saturday’s powwow.

The sports program here at St. Joseph’s is off to a flying start.

This week, our 6^th-8^th grade Cross Country team has had three meets—one in White River, another in Pierre and the third Continue reading “Powwow Weekend has Officially Begun at St. Joseph’s!”

‘Flat Francis’and Other Fun Activities at St. Joseph’s Indian School!

Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph's Chaplain Good day from St. Joseph’s Indian School.

When walking out of my office the other day, I was almost trampled by a number of young ladies and their mentors who were running, walking, skipping and hopping around Wisdom Circle on central campus!

The 4th and 5th grade girls are currently taking part in Girls on the Run, a 10-week interactive program that strives to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and Continue reading “‘Flat Francis’and Other Fun Activities at St. Joseph’s Indian School!”

Lots of excitement at St. Joseph’s Indian School!

Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph's Chaplain Greetings from St. Joseph’s Indian School!

You may be aware our high school senior students are in a new program to help get them ready for college. They have restructured living arrangements that are similar to what they’ll find in the dorms.

Our Houseparents are working to help them develop a sense of independence so they’ll be able to take care of their own cooking, shopping, budgeting and employment after graduation. Recently, the high school girls Continue reading “Lots of excitement at St. Joseph’s Indian School!”

It’s been a great week at St. Joseph’s Indian School!

Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph's Chaplain

Good day from St. Joseph’s Indian School!

The school year is off to a flying start now that everyone is back. The high school students began their classes on Wednesday, but students going out for sports have been on campus for a week or so practicing.

The high school girls volleyball has their first away game Saturday, football plays in Chamberlain tonight against Crow Creek, and the golf team has had several matches already with Continue reading “It’s been a great week at St. Joseph’s Indian School!”

THEY’RE BACK at St. Joseph’s!!

Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph's Chaplain Hello from St. Joseph’s Indian School.

THEY’RE BACK!!!!!!

This past Sunday, St. Joseph’s Indian School’s student body for the school year of 2016-2017 arrived on campus. The upcoming year, 2017, marks St. Joseph’s Indian School’s 90^th Anniversary!

Once a student arrived, they went to their Home to drop off their clothes and personal items.

Next, they walked to the health center, allowing our nurses to measure height, weight and eye sight, as well as Continue reading “THEY’RE BACK at St. Joseph’s!!”

St. Joseph’s Countdown is in Single Digits!

Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph's Chaplain Good day from St. Joseph’s Indian School.

The countdown to the start of the new school year is in single digits, as our students arrive on campus this Sunday!

All-Staff Orientation is also coming to a close. We began with a prayer service on Tuesday and had a picnic Wednesday evening. Various groups have been busy going over policy and expectations. Teachers and Houseparents have been preparing their classrooms and Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Countdown is in Single Digits!”

It’s been a busy summer at St. Joseph’s Indian School!

Good day from St. Joseph’s Indian School.

Two weeks or so ago, the local SCJs were able to gather at St. Catherine’s in Big Bend, South Dakota for the dedication of a new parish hall. The previous hall had ‘given up the ghost’ and was too old and run-down to host parish celebrations.

20160710_133142

The pastoral team of Fr. Vincent, SCJ, Fr. Hendrik, SCJ and Fr. Joseph Dean, SCJ cover both sides of the Missouri River. West River, they serve three parishes — Reliance, Kennebec, and Continue reading “It’s been a busy summer at St. Joseph’s Indian School!”

Adventure and ‘Way to Go’ at St. Joseph’s Indian School!

As the new school year quickly approaches, St. Joseph’s wanted to take a moment to look back at the past school year.

Hi! My name is Cathy. I am a houseparent in the William Home, one of St. Joseph’s 4th-6th grade girls homes.

Adventure and Way to Go!! are always a couple of the themes interwoven into the William Home’s experiences.

Adventure

Adventure is defined as ‘an unusual and exciting experience or activity, especially the exploration of unknown territory.’ It also means taking chances.

Adventure walks were one of our students’ favorite things to do last year! Normally, their favorite activity was the playground, but sometimes an adventure/mystery walk would be offered. Continue reading “Adventure and ‘Way to Go’ at St. Joseph’s Indian School!”

A celebratory trip, the Akta Lakota Museum and day camp at St. Joseph’s Indian School!

Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph's Chaplain — Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph’s Chaplain

Good day from St. Joseph’s Indian School.

As some of you may know, this year has been proclaimed a Holy Year of Mercy by Pope Francis. Part of the celebration calls for people to visit the Cathedral and pass through the Holy Door as part of a pilgrimage. I joined parishioners from St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain and St. Margaret Catholic Church in Kimball to visit the Cathedral of St. Joseph’s in Sioux Falls.

To meet the requirements for the plenary indulgence, the trip was geared to have the opportunity for Confession, to offer prayer for Pope Francis’ intentions and to receive the Eucharist by joining in the noon Mass. After the Mass, we were given a guided tour of the Cathedral and the renovations that were done in the past few years. The group joined together at a local Perkins for lunch before heading home. We enjoyed sharing reflections of what had impressed people the most about the experience and the tour.

The team at the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center has received some great reviews from recent visitors! You can read some of the reviews for yourself by clicking HERE.

Continue reading “A celebratory trip, the Akta Lakota Museum and day camp at St. Joseph’s Indian School!”