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.
Eighth grade students from St. Joseph’s Indian School took part in a Buffalo Harvest to exercise a very sacred and traditional custom of their Lakota (Sioux) culture.
Recently, St. Joseph’s Indian School eighth-grade students and staff set out through the morning fog for the Crow Creek Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources.
Angelina (left) and Shayla (right) scale a Badlands peak during the day of reflection. Katelyn charts her path.
A new beginning was marked for freshman and sophomore students at St. Joseph’s Indian School as they embarked on the first-ever Wičhóni Wašte (Good Life) Retreat. After consulting with Mount Marty University and the University of Notre Dame regarding similar experiences those schools provide, St. Joseph’s developed the retreat day in response to student feedback. Continue reading “First Wičhóni Wašte Day Builds Connections for Students at St. Joseph’s Indian School”
Each student at St. Joseph’s Indian School was gifted a pair of moccasins to wear for Rock Your Mocs and for years to come.
The week of November 13 has been “busyness” as usual at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Rock Your Mocs Week began with Lakota Mass on Sunday.
Following the culturally infused liturgical celebration, staff distirbuted moccasins to “rock” throughout the week. Rock Your Mocs is a national annual event that creates a positive cultural experience, promotes unity and celebrates tribal individuality by wearing moccasins to honor ancestors and Indigenous people worldwide. It is the centerpiece of the celebration of Native American Month. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Students ‘Rock Their Mocs’”
Shay stands among her children Liam and Arthur and her nephew Ashton.
Shay, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at a veteran’s hospital, was working a night shift when she heard an alarm sound. The alarm was to signal that a patient was in need of help, so she quickly went to assist.
Pumpkins, big or small, found a home with a St. Joseph’s Indian School student at a recent Pumpkin Patch event.
Students gazed over the mountain of pumpkins in search of what they deemed to be the perfect pumpkin. Some were on the hunt for the common orange and round pumpkin. Others wanted a misfit – a pumpkin with discoloration, and maybe a couple of bumps and warts for a spookier or unique look.
There’s something incredibly special about the connection our students share with the horses at St. Joseph’s Indian School.
There’s something to be said about an empty piece of land. While the eye may gaze upon it and not see anything, sometimes your mind’s eye sees beyond the emptiness. It sees what it could be, and a dream takes root. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Dedicates Equine Therapy Center”