Optimism and hope

We hope to break ground for our Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center expansion project in the fall, possibly at our annual powwow on September 17th. I spent several hours in meetings with the architect, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer and interior designer. I couldn’t help but think that my sisters who have such a better sense of beauty and space would be laughing to think of me hearing about carpet colors and wall textures. But it’s a sign that we’re moving along with most of the big aspects of the project and are getting down to the nitty-gritty before we put it out for bids. While I don’t know a lot about electricity, construction or plumbing, we have qualified and quality staff members who work with those every day and have obviously thought things through, so the meetings rolled right along.

Friday is Chamberlain’s Relay for Life and while I won’t be able to attend Friday’s event, we had a Survivor’s kick off meeting at Charley’s Restaurant, where we could sign the banner and pick up our shirts and pins. My one year looked small next to the woman who has had 29 more birthdays since being diagnosed. But it felt good to be part of the crowd and gave me more reason for optimism and hope.

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