Drug Free is the way to Be

First thing this morning, a group of Lakota (Sioux) students were in front of the school painting the road red to finish off our celebration of Red Ribbon Week. With rollers in hand they painted slogans like, “Drug Free is the way to Be” and other reminders of what this week is about. Part of keeping kids off drugs is talking to them early and often about it, and providing fun and safe alternatives that give them a sense of fulfillment and fun.

Before the snows fly and the cold weather sets in, several construction crews are scrambling around campus. We had to redo the loading dock at the business office and they are getting ready to pour concrete. The Stevens/Mathias Home remodeling project is speeding up to get insulation and siding finished so the inside work can be done over the winter months. And at the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center expansion the workers have poured the initial footings and are installing rebar.

I went to a construction update meeting today that was rather technical about how to transition from in the old cooling system to the new without having to shut down the Akta Lakota Museum for too long. I’m glad we have a variety of talents on campus that can deal with everything from mechanical issues to finance to aesthetics. In my role, I just try to be supportive and keep people collaborating to move things along.

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.

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