Keeping the Lakota (Sioux) youth on track

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

My usual Wednesday business meetings were much lighter than normal. I met our newest staff member Terry, who will help with all the paperwork involved in running the high school program, and keep in closer touch with the school. We’re also waiting for a new houseparent from Philadelphia, who arrives tomorrow.

Many of our families live several hours away, which makes the meetings we are able to have with them all the more important. I ran into one family after they attended a meeting with our staff regarding a medication being prescribed for their child. The parents were concerned because in some places medicine is too easily given without looking at all the options. We try many other possibilities first. They were impressed that they saw our consulting psychiatrist, together with a teacher, a houseparent and a family service counselor, all looking at the child’s behavior from different perspectives, and trying to come at the best solution. All their questions were addressed, and they felt very good about the consultation.

Supper tonight was with the Sheehy Home (high school) boys. They were more relaxed that usual, mostly because after the first day of class no one had any missing assignments or homework due. Some of them are starting new classes for the 2^nd semester. The one that generated the most conversation was the Criminal Justice class, since they looked at the high rate of juvenile incarceration in South Dakota. All of them have friends or relatives who’ve been incarcerated, and we want them to keep on track to stay out of trouble and finish school and go on to better things.

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. View all posts by St. Joseph's Indian School