Opiciye Okizi – A Good Place to Heal – for the Lakota children

We greet you from the banks of the Missouri River as the last few days of winter slip away in

Fr. Anthony is St. Joseph’s Chaplain
Fr. Anthony with the Lakota children

South Dakota.  It’s not going out quietly… we had some snow on Saturday evening and are facing a winter storm today!

Last week was fairly quiet at St. Joseph’s Indian School while our Lakota (Sioux) students in grades 1-8 were on spring break.  They returned Sunday and this week kicks off the fourth quarter of the academic year!  Wednesday we will have a prayer service honoring our patron, St. Joseph, and asking the guidance of the Holy Spirit on the students and teachers for the final quarter of the school year.

Monday, eight students took part in an Opiciye Okizi – A Good Place to Heal.  This special program is a “healing camp” for students who have recently lost someone close to them. Each child was joined by a family member for the day.

During the camp, St. Joseph’s staff members facilitate activities designed to start conversations and help the children reflect on life and death and talk about how we can honor and pray for those whom the Great Spirit has called home.  It gives the students a chance to ask questions, especially if they have had a hard time dealing with the loss.  The day ended with a traditional ceremony called the ‘wiping of tears.’

We hope you all have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day.  Pilamaya – thank you – for making these programs possible for the

St. Joseph’s healing camp helps children work through the loss of people close to them.
Healing camp helps the Lakota children who have experienced the death a loved one cope with the loss in healthy ways.

children and families who need them. May God’s blessings continue to be with you to reward you for your generosity!

Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ

Chaplain

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.

6 thoughts on “Opiciye Okizi – A Good Place to Heal – for the Lakota children”

  1. It fill’s my heart with so much joy to see the wonderful programs that the children have at St.Joseph’s.Thank You Fr.Anthony and my God bless you.

    Reply

  2. thank you so much for these wonderful posts.. God bless all those who were in need of the Healing Camp and God Bless the wonderful staff at St Joseph’s!

    Reply

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