St. Joseph’s Empowers Native American Students through Scholarship

Hope graduated from high school in 2018. Since then, St. Joseph’s Indian School has been able to continue supporting her through scholarships as she completes her higher education journey.

St. Joseph’s Indian School recently awarded a total of $90,200 in scholarships to Native American students across the nation for the fall 2020 semester. The school awarded a total of 81 scholarships to 22 alumni, 17 family members of St. Joseph’s Indian School alumni and 42 others enrolled in a federally recognized tribe and pursuing higher education. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Empowers Native American Students through Scholarship”

Samaritan’s Feet Donates 173 pairs of shoes to St. Joseph’s Indian School students

St. Joseph’s kids were excited to get new shoes from Samaritan’s Feet!

On September 21, St. Joseph’s Indian School students ended their school day walking in style. World-renowned nonprofit Samaritan’s Feet paid a visit to campus providing 173 pairs of shoes, one pair for every student. Continue reading “Samaritan’s Feet Donates 173 pairs of shoes to St. Joseph’s Indian School students”

St. Joseph’s Joins American Indian Catholic Schools Network

St. Joseph’s Indian School is now the eighth member of the AICSN of the University of Notre Dame.

The following is a reflection written by Joe, St. Joseph’s Director of Mission Integration.

On September 2, 2020, St. Joseph’s Indian School accepted the invitation to become the eighth member school of the American Indian Catholic Schools Network (AICSN) of the University of Notre Dame. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Joins American Indian Catholic Schools Network”

Making a Dark Time Colorful: Donors Continue Supporting St. Joseph’s Art Classes during Pandemic

Rachel, St. Joseph’s art teacher (right), demonstrates to a student how objects found in nature can be used as tools to create art.

Before the start of the 2020-21 school year, St. Joseph’s Indian School’s art teacher, Rachel, said she was worried what her classroom might look like.

“The arts can sometimes get overlooked by the general public during a normal time, so with the addition of a pandemic, I worried I was not going to have all the supplies I needed,” she said. “But, I’m so glad I worried for nothing.” Continue reading “Making a Dark Time Colorful: Donors Continue Supporting St. Joseph’s Art Classes during Pandemic”

Sacred Heart Family Safe Shelter Makes an August ‘Big Show’

The Sacred Heart Family Safe Shelter is finally taking shape after multiple setbacks during 2020.

After several delays due to weather issues and then COVID-19, construction of the Sacred Heart Family Safe Shelter on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation is more visibly back on track. Continue reading “Sacred Heart Family Safe Shelter Makes an August ‘Big Show’”

Kids are Back at St. Joseph’s Indian School

After a health screening, students were greeted by their houseparents upon arrival to campus.

After a summer of going over the what-ifs, maybes, worries and worst case scenarios, St. Joseph’s Indian School had a big decision to make on whether or not to reopen for the 2020-21 school year …

And we have chosen to open. Continue reading …

Tackling Hunger during a Pandemic

St. Joseph’s Indian School dining hall staff help load hundreds of boxes on to a school bus at the start of one of the food box deliveries to reservation communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic created many uncertainties. But one thing was clear — unless St. Joseph’s Indian School jumped into action, some children and families in reservation communities could go hungry. Continue reading “Tackling Hunger during a Pandemic”

St. Joseph’s Bookmobile Gives over 9,000 Books during Pandemic

St. Joseph’s Indian School donated 1,000 books to the Wagner Indian Health Services for them to distribute during their health fair. It was one of several stops the Bookmobile made this summer.

The Bookmobile, an outreach of St. Joseph’s Indian School, looked a little different this year.

Normally, the truck and trailer becomes a mini library on wheels that tallies close to 3,000 miles on the road as it moves from place to place. Books are placed on shelves, separated by age and genre, to offer a shopping experience to reservation community members. Hundreds of people stop to visit and take home one, two or an armful of books for themselves and their children.

COVID-19 changed that — or at least it tried. Continue reading “St. Joseph’s Bookmobile Gives over 9,000 Books during Pandemic”

Ten Bible Verses to Help You through 2020

Fr. J. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ, gives a blessings to the staff and students at St. Joseph’s Indian School during a prayer service in 2019.

It’s been a long six months hasn’t it? The year 2020, with its COVID-19, shutdowns, civil unrest and the stress and uncertainty of the future might be weighing on you.

We understand. It’s hard to be hopeful when news headlines and social media plant seeds of fear and doubt into our hearts. Continue reading “Ten Bible Verses to Help You through 2020”

Two St. Joseph’s Programs Make Double the Difference for Students

Higher education is expensive.

It’s the simple fact of the matter. Not everyone can afford college, as well as the living expenses that go along with it. And the idea of paying back a large amount of student loans upon graduation is daunting for many.

Thankfully, donor support has lessened that burden for many graduating seniors and alumni at St. Joseph’s Indian School. For example, there are two programs benefitting graduating seniors and Native American students seeking higher education: The Senior Suitcase program and our Scholarship program. Continue reading “Two St. Joseph’s Programs Make Double the Difference for Students”