St. Joseph’s Wins Communicator Award, Receives National Recognition

St. Joseph’s Indian School celebrates special recognition of its public service announcement (PSA), “More Than a School.”

The PSA is the winner of a Communicator Award of Excellence in the category Integrated Campaign Winner – Campaign-Non-Profit. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Wins Communicator Award, Receives National Recognition”

Cultural Trip Forms St. Joseph’s Students for Future with 15th Anniversary Trip

St. Joseph’s Indian School seventh grade girls posing for a photo with the Crazy Horse Monument in the background. It was one of many stops during the annual Cultural Trip.

On a fair-weather Tuesday in May, the 18 seventh-grade students of St. Joseph’s Indian School prayed and smudged before embarking on the trip that has become a spiritual and cultural rite of passage. The journey prepares them to become leaders at school and in life. Continue reading “Cultural Trip Forms St. Joseph’s Students for Future with 15th Anniversary Trip”

Fr. Greg’s Hoší — News — for May 2022

The high school Class of 2022 in their cap and gowns.

Greetings everyone,

As we prepare ourselves for the summer months this gives cause for pause as I reflect on my very first year at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

I feel like it was just yesterday that I drove my vehicle from the hot and humid climate of Mississippi to South Dakota. Continue reading “Fr. Greg’s Hoší — News — for May 2022”

St. Joseph’s Indian School Names Distinguished Alumnus

Kory Annis has been named St. Joseph’s Distinguished Alumnus for 2022.

At the eighth-grade graduation ceremony on May 27, Kory Annis, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, was named the school’s 2022 Distinguished Alumnus. Annis attended St. Joseph’s Indian School from 1986 to 1992, graduating from the eighth grade in 1989. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Names Distinguished Alumnus”

Our Favorite 2021-22 Memories at St. Joseph’s Indian School

Kids say and do the darndest things, we know that’s true. So what happens when you place approximately 200 students within 20 homes at St. Joseph’s Indian School?

The answer: A whole lot of silliness. A whole lot of love. A whole lot of saying, “What in the world?!”

We polled some of the houseparents at St. Joseph’s in the hopes they would share some of their favorite memories that took place over the past school year. Share they did! Their answers will warm your heart, tickle your ribs and make you smile! Continue reading “Our Favorite 2021-22 Memories at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

St. Joseph’s Students Remember the Missing and Murdered and Fight for Change

St. Joseph’s Indian School held a Missing and Murder Indigenous Women event for students on campus.

There was a heaviness in the air as St. Joseph’s Indian School students dipped their hands in red paint and placed them precisely on their faces — the mark that symbolizes the Indigenous women and relatives who are missing or murdered. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Students Remember the Missing and Murdered and Fight for Change”

St. Joseph’s Indian School Announces Graduation of Six Seniors

St. Joseph’s Indian School’s high school program’s Class of 2022.

St. Joseph’s Indian School announces the graduation of six seniors from its high school program, which partners with Chamberlain High School. Graduation is on Saturday, May 14, at 2 p.m., at the Chamberlain Armory.

“These students of diverse talent and experience have much to offer the world,” noted St. Joseph’s President Mike Tyrell. “A piece of our heart goes with them into the future, and we are grateful to have them in our extended family.” Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Indian School Announces Graduation of Six Seniors”

Help Needed to Tackle Clothing Shortage in Light of Pandemic

Students enjoy shopping among donated clothing items, which were once donated in high frequency. However, this has changed.

There are approximately 200 children served each year at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Of those 200, we see all 200 children with clothing needs, 200 differing body shapes and sizes and 200 unique personalities.

If we talk math a little more, every child needs a week’s worth of shirts, pants, socks, underwear and varying coats and shoes. It is very expensive to outfit a child.

Continue reading “Help Needed to Tackle Clothing Shortage in Light of Pandemic”

Fr. Greg’s Hoší — News — for April 2022

Seventeen students received Confirmation, Baptism and 1st Communion in the presence of their families, April 24.

Greetings to all. I hope these Spring days find you well. On Easter Sunday we celebrated the splendid glory of the risen Lord. We had a good turnout, as some staff members and their families came out to celebrate this joyous occasion. Continue reading “Fr. Greg’s Hoší — News — for April 2022”

St. Joseph’s Students Participate in “Barn Quilt Project: South Dakota Strong”

The “Barn Quilt Project: South Dakota Strong” took place at St. Joseph’s Indian School, March 29.

Many of the students at St. Joseph’s Indian School have watched as an auntie or uŋčí (grandmother) pieced together a Lakota star quilt, a central tradition to the culture. They are one of the most valued gifts to the Lakota people, often made for giveaways, memorials, graduations, ceremonies and weddings.

On Tuesday, March 20, the Barn Quilt Project: South Dakota Strong offered fourth-grade students another window into the cross-cultural tradition of quilt-making, which in South Dakota represents home, family, comfort, history – and in this case – healing from the pandemic. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Students Participate in “Barn Quilt Project: South Dakota Strong””