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.

Montileaux Paints Pictures on the Walls of Young Minds at St. Joseph’s

Donald Montileaux teaches a room of third- and fourth-graders at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

This fall, acclaimed Oglala Lakota ledger artist Donald F. Montileaux paid a visit to St. Joseph’s Indian School where he sparked students’ imaginations with his masterful storytelling and vivid artistic style.

Montileaux, accompanied by wife, Paulette, spent the afternoon with third-, fourth- and seventh-graders in the school library, recounting the story of “Tašuŋka, A Lakota Horse Legend” and mentoring students in illustration. Continue reading “Montileaux Paints Pictures on the Walls of Young Minds at St. Joseph’s”

Equine Therapy: A Story of Connection that Goes Beyond Comprehension

The following is a reflection written by Robyn, our Director of Counseling Services at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

A counselor recently shared with me about how the horses are making an impact on the lives of students in ways that may go unnoticed. However, when it clicks, it is more than words can describe. Continue reading “Equine Therapy: A Story of Connection that Goes Beyond Comprehension”

Second Wičhóni Wašte Day Builds Connections for Students at St. Joseph’s

Kim, St. Joseph’s Religion Studies teacher, sets the stage for the day of reflection as freshmen and sophomores look on.

This October provided the opportunity for 19 freshmen and sophomore students at St. Joseph’s Indian School to explore life’s peaks and valleys through critical reflection on their purpose in life on the undulating terrain of the Badlands. The goal of the Wičhóni Wašte (Good Life) Retreat, now in its second year, was a day of community, culture and relationship building. Continue reading “Second Wičhóni Wašte Day Builds Connections for Students at St. Joseph’s”

This Native American Scholarship Recipient Says, “Keep Going”

Kayla McCloskey will graduate in May of 2024 from Black Hills State University (BHSU) with a double major in American Indian Studies and Sociology. She is ready to take on the future. A 2018 graduate of St. Joseph’s Indian School’s High School Program, McCoskey is an eight-time recipient of the school’s scholarship, which was started in 1985 to support Native Americans pursuing higher education.

Continue reading “This Native American Scholarship Recipient Says, “Keep Going””

Culture Shines as St. Joseph’s Indian School Celebrates Native American Week

While others celebrated Native American Day on October 9, staff and students at St. Joseph’s Indian School extended the cultural celebration from Sunday to Sunday plumbing the richness and diverse dimensions of their heritage through prayer, dance, study plans, lessons from the bow and arrow, clothing and art. Continue reading “Culture Shines as St. Joseph’s Indian School Celebrates Native American Week”

Butterfinger Cake and Other Bonds Celebrated at St. Joseph’s Indian School’s New Alumni Center

(Standing, L-R): Coleman, staff; Joaquin, staff and alum. (Seated, L-R): Casey, visitor; Scott, alum; Andy, staff ; Joe, staff; Theda, alum.

A spread of homemade chili with all the trimmings, lasagna and garlic bread greeted alumni dropping by the new Sacred Hoop Alumni Center on St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus for Walk-in Wednesday on October 4. It is a weekly event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center. Some days it might be sandwiches and a game of cribbage that builds collegiality, but today was extra-special. It was a celebration in honor of Alumni Liaison Andy Lepkowski’s 68th birthday, and Butterfinger Cake was the centerpiece. Continue reading “Butterfinger Cake and Other Bonds Celebrated at St. Joseph’s Indian School’s New Alumni Center”

Five from St. Joseph’s Indian School Receive National Honors

(From left): Tom Robinson, President, Milton Hershey School; Kory Christianson, Executive Director Development, St. Joseph’s Indian School; Mike Tyrell, President, St. Joseph’s Indian School; Don Forrester, Executive Director, CORE; Jennifer Renner-Meyer, Executive Director of Child Services, St. Joseph’s Indian School

Caring for community is a value of five from St. Joseph’s Indian School that made them standouts to win Catherine Hershey National Awards. The awards were announced at the Coalition of Residential Excellence (CORE) Luncheon at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center in Oacoma, S.D. on Tuesday, September 19. They were among 13 honored with awards nationally. St. Joseph’s Indian School hosted the national conference this year. Continue reading “Five from St. Joseph’s Indian School Receive National Honors”

St. Joseph’s Indian School Announces Powwow Royalty

St. Joseph’s Indian School is proud to present the 2023 Powwow Royalty. (Pictured left to right): Caden, Clarysia , Fr. Greg Schill, SCJ, Persais and Rylee.

The 47th Annual St. Joseph’s Indian School Wačhípi is September 16. Students have been hard at work practicing dance and drum group since their August 13 return to campus.

As is the tradition, a royalty competition set the event in motion on Wednesday, September 6. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Announces Powwow Royalty”

St. Joseph’s Student Selected as Participant for Prestigious Medical Forum

Mersayis, a St. Joseph’s Indian School student, said goodbye to the amber waves of grain of the Midwest, and hello to the blue waves of the Pacific Ocean for an adventure she will never forget.

Mersayis took a few deep breaths before boarding a plane headed to California. At 17 years old, this flight would be the St. Joseph’s Indian School student’s first flight.

Although the idea of traveling alone to an unknown place may seem like a daunting experience for some, Mersayis harnessed her bravery and took her seat. Before she knew it, she’d be at the University of California Berkeley for a week-long experience as a participant of the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) Medicine & Health Care. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Student Selected as Participant for Prestigious Medical Forum”

Back to School at St. Joseph’s

Students at St. Joseph’s Indian School were welcomed back with a parade to kick-off the 2023-24 school year!

A new tradition borne of the pandemic continued at St. Joseph’s Indian School under bright and shiny skies along the banks of the Missouri River. Nearly 200 students and dozens of staff from across the campus celebrated the fourth annual outdoor back-to-school parade. Continue reading “Back to School at St. Joseph’s”