St. Joseph's Indian School

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”

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’”

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”

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”

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”

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”

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the hands of our staff members and donors have been busily at work creating masks for people in need.

In the last several months, we have had 1,453 masks either donated to our school or created by staff members. Because of this, we’ve been able to share with groups who have needed them the most during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading “Masks Needed at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

Note: The following story was written by Maija, a Residential Support staff member at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

Whether it’s around a table or being delivered to those in need, food brings people together. Food can be an expression of culture, a demonstration of love or the glue that gathers friends and family together. Continue reading “Staff Reflection: Feed Their Bellies and Your Soul”

Note: The following is a reflection written by LaRayne, our Native American Studies teacher at St. Joseph’s Indian School. 

At this time of year, I would normally be hiking what is known as “Bear Butte” to most, and Matȟó Pahá to the Lakota, with 10-12 seventh grade girls and two chaperones, one a generation above and one below mine. This year, I was going to be the Únči — Grandma — guide of the group, but our seventh grade cultural trip was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This past weekend, I decided to hike the culturally relevant butte anyway as a prayer that in the fall I will be able to return with my younger generations to share a spiritual part of our cultural journey. Continue reading “Staff Reflection: Nobody Hikes Matȟó Pahá Alone”