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I start this connection by honoring the people whose land we live on, those of the Oceti Sakowin. I am a simple man, a humble man who have learned these Lakota ways by elders, and Lakota teachers. I humbly write this blog from the perspective of a white male of European heritage, this is my perspective designed to help folks like me learn how to be respectful. I write this to not convince, but to share connections that I have personally realized between these two beautiful ways of life …  Continue reading “Where Christmas and Lakota Traditions Align”

Is there anything sweeter than an unexpected visit from a friend? Pair it with a cupcake, cookie dessert and a card!

Some eighth grade girls barreled through the hallways recently with a mission to spread gratitude and love to their teachers, classmates and other staff at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Continue reading “When a Cupcake Means So Much More”

Something magical happens one Saturday in December each year at St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD. A conference room mystically morphs into Santa’s workshop, staff members turn into elves and there is even a visit from the big man himself: Santa Claus! Continue reading “Christmas Magic in High Supply at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

“That looks very nice — very ambitious,” said Darcy, a Family Service Counselor (FSC), as she looked down at the 15 creamy-colored ribbons laid along its paired yellow fabric.

Larsten, the high school student who had chosen the fabric and ribbons of blue, white, green, purple and brown, smiled.

“That’s because I’m ambitious, too,” she said. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Gifts Female Students with Customized Ribbon Skirts”

Air-dry clay was the medium and sixth through eighth-grade students at St. Joseph’s Indian School were the artists who enjoyed the guidance and wisdom of visiting artist Sculptor Darwin Wolf.

Their task: create sculptures of the animals that inhabit the South Dakota Prairies. The fist-sized finished products will find a home in the Native American Studies classroom, where they will be used to learn the Lakota names of the buffalo, turtle, coyote, eagle, spider and other creatures significant to Lakota cultural life. Students chose from several animals that are part of the Lakota language curriculum used at the school. Continue reading “Darwin Wolf Sculpts Prairie Life with Students at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

Black Friday.
Small Business Saturday.
Cyber Monday.

Although dates that help people score great holiday deals, the days after Thanksgiving can be a little overwhelming.

But then, like a breath of fresh air, enters Giving Tuesday. Have you ever heard of it? Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Makes Christmas Magic on Giving Tuesday”

It’s not often you see students out and about at St. Joseph’s Indian School after dark. It’s even less often you see them out after dark dancing in their moccasins to the beat of a Lakota drum.

But, that’s exactly what two high school kids were up to last week in preparation for Rock Your Mocs (RYM)! Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Celebrates ‘Rock Your Mocs’ and ‘Native American Heritage Month’”

The kids at St. Joseph’s Indian School are just regular kids. While they may not be actors, a handful received the opportunity to star in a pair of new public service announcements that will likely broadcast across the country. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Films New TV Public Service Announcements”

“Let us put our minds together and see what life we will make for our children,” instructed Húŋkpapȟa Lakota leader Sitting Bull.

In much the same spirit, the American Indian Catholic Schools Network (AICSN) board gathered for its Fall Summit at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Hosts American Indian Catholic Schools Network Summit”

The following is a personal reflection by LaRayne, the Native American Studies teacher at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

The smell of čhaŋlí pȟaȟtá — tobacco offerings — made my heart feel many emotions as I quietly tied the prayers of the St. Joseph’s Indian School students, staff and donors together for the All Souls Day prayer service.

I cannot take a photo of what I describe (as it is a sacred process), but I will explain it from my heart in a way that I hope you can see, feel, smell and have a small taste of how we combine our Lakota, Dakota and Catholic traditions together for the good of our students. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Remembers Loved Ones on All Souls Day”