St. Joseph's Indian School

Christmas is still coming!

I heard tell of a Lakota tribal official visiting the Apache Tribe in Arizona. They teased him “in the mountains we’re much closer to the Great Spirit.”

He replied, “Yes, I understand, but on the vast South Dakota prairie we can see God coming for three days, and have time to get ready!”

Renovation of the William home is moving along. — Sheetrock is up in the William Home! The facilities crew is now working on outlets and ventilation.

While other folks are taking down their Christmas decorations, we’re still getting ready to celebrate when all our students return. Last weekend two school groups, one from Barrington, Illinois and one from Watertown, South Dakota brought out some wonderful clothes and toys they’ve been collecting. As the houseparents return, we’ll check sizes and wish lists to find good matches for our students’ needs.

While many of our child services staff have had vacation time, staff in the development office have been faithfully answering mail and phone requests. The facilities crew has used this quieter time for projects like touch-up paint jobs and preventative spraying for bed bugs, which are jobs best done when the homes are empty.

They’ve been moving full speed ahead on several projects. The Summerlee Home renovation is almost complete, and those fourth and fifth grade girls should be moving back in a couple of weeks. The William Home will take a few more months, but the dry wall is up and the crew is working on the behind the scenes (and walls) items like electrical outlets and ventilation.

Fewer students means fewer vehicle trips over break. The school bus was in the garage getting a check up to make sure it’s fit for ball games and school trips once the semester gets going next week.

St. Joseph’s bus is in the shop for a tune up. — St. Joseph’s bus gets a tune up before second semester begins.

We have had a half dozen high school students on campus this past week taking part in basketball practices. Today, the rest of the crew of 42 filtered in. Cars pulled up to one of our five high school homes and kids carried suitcases or slung plastic bags full of clothes over their shoulder and started getting ready for second semester.

I spent a little time at each of the homes, welcoming students back. I always hope for happy news. Many of the students had good memories of their time with family, but a few had family struggles and drama over the break. Our houseparents and counselors will help them talk it out and process the disappointments and hurts, and hopefully get them off to a good start here.

Success, learning at LNI

Our school semester came to an end at 2:00 today and students headed home for a two-week break!

Several students left early to participate in the Lakota Nations Invitational (LNI) tournament in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Our knowledge bowl team started strong with a win, but dropped the next two closely contested rounds. Our scholars will also take part in individual academic tests.

Our Lakota Hand games team faced their first actual competition against much more experienced teams. They didn’t win, but enjoyed being able to participate. If experience is indeed a teacher, they learned where and how they need to practice harder to improve.

Our archers were awesome! Two boys finished in the top ten. Our three middle school girls, however, totally rocked! The trio finished eighth, third and FIRST! Kaitlyn and Aleece will bring home nice trophies to show off for their first and third place results.

After the students left for break came time for staff to relax with one another during our staff Christmas party. We had a social and buffet supper, with plenty of Christmas door prizes and crazy costumes.

Since this is the date the Mayan calendar suggests the world may end, our theme was “Going out in style.”

We had a few folks show off their wedding tuxes and formal dresses. Others wore gaudy but fun Christmas sweaters. Different groups of staff (Maintenance vs. Houseparents, Health Center vs. Development) competed against one another in some hilarious rounds of “Family Feud.”

Our child services staff will enjoy a break along with our students. However, lots of the other ongoing activity around campus will keep going so we’re ready for a strong start to the next semester.

Guest Blogger: Julie

Greetings friends!!

My name is Julie and I am a Family Service Counselor here at St. Joseph’s Indian School. I hope this wonderful time of year finds you all doing well! Things here at St. Joseph’s Indian School have been very busy over the last few days! The students are getting ready to head home for Christmas break. The weather looks good for their travel, which is truly a blessing.

This past weekend was the annual “Christmas Store.” This is a time when students can pick out gifts for their family members. The items available for gifts come from your generous donations; the students really enjoy being able to pick out gifts for their families! The students also get a chance to see Santa Clause and have their gifts wrapped. It is a fun-filled day that both students and staff enjoy!

Other things that have been happening at St. Joseph’s Indian School include the conclusion of the girls’ basketball season, the students’ Christmas program and a new ceremony called the “Tears Ceremony.” The Tears Ceremony is held at St. Joseph’s when a student loses a loved one. This is a time for the students to remember their loved one and be supported by friends and staff.

Our first Tears Ceremony was held this week and was a beautiful tribute to the students’ loved one. Still in its beginning stages, the Tears Ceremony gives the students one more way to remember and grieve the loved one they have lost. The student who has lost the loved one is an integral part of the planning process for the ceremony. We hope that the Tears Ceremony will assist the students with the grief process and let them know they are supported and cared for while they traverse the grief process.

Houseparents help students choose gifts for their families.

At this time of year, I always think of the generosity of our benefactors. St. Joseph’s Indian School offers so many great things to our students… but without your kindness and generosity, we would be unable to do the great things we do. So at this time I say Thank You for all you do for St. Joseph’s Indian School. May you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and New Year!

Julie

Getting ready for Christmas

Lakota student learning the clarinet — 19 students are learning to play an instrument!

Our Development office took a break from the rush of mail pouring in to socialize with one another over a potluck Christmas party. People are such good cooks, and outdid themselves with the variety of holiday goodies. If that wasn’t enough, most of the door prizes were also food related!

This afternoon, Our Lady of the Sioux Chapel rang out with a variety of holiday music during our students’ Christmas Concert . Groups of students led us in many of the traditional hymns like Joy to the World and O Come All Ye Faithful.

We also have 19 students are studying instrumental music for the first time – drum, flute, guitar, piano and clarinet.

I remember how nervous I was at my first piano recital in grade school.

I felt sympathy and excitement for the kids as they performed very basic and simple renditions of Jingle Bells and Good King Wenceslas before the whole audience. But, despite their nervousness, every effort was met with hearty cheers and clapping.

I hope most of the children get the music bug and keep it up, for music adds so much to our lives.

Tonight our grade school boys who are learning to wrestle had an opportunity tonight to show off their practice and training in matches against one another.

Native American students practice wrestling — Our coaches did a great job of matching the wrestlers evenly.

As a kid, I was a basketball player, who only wrestled in Phys. Ed. Class. I was one of the smallest seventh graders in our middle school, and the only other boy my size was our local wrestling champion. Paired up against him my chances were slim and none. Personally, I can’t say I enjoyed wrestling, but I have enjoyed watching the intense competition.

I compliment the coaches for pairing off the kids in very even matches. There were very few pins or lopsided scores, but lots of energetic struggles that played out until time ran out. The bleachers hosted a lively crowd, and some of the Afra Home girls (1st – 3rd grade) even led impromptu cheers on the sidelines.

Tyler, our custodian, was a wrestler through High School and lent his services as referee. The 2-2-1 minute rounds passed by like lightning. One match was scored 21-20 with constant lead changes until a reversal at the end.

The most entertaining match of the night was saved until last when our two “heavyweights” battled through four overtime periods before a winner was decided! I did notice a few of the boys teary eyed about losing. Learning to cope with disappointment and still struggle to succeed is an important life lesson. Win or lose, all of them had the resolve to keep learning and practicing, and hit the mats again!

Some Sad News

Alumnae of St. Joseph's Indian School — Sr. Madeleine received St. Joseph’s Distinguished Alumni award in 2006.

We received some sad news this morning that Sr. Madeleine LeCompte, OSBS, died at the age of 89. Sr. Madeleine was a St. Joseph’s alumnae and long time member of our Board of Directors. She died after a long illness and time in hospice care. Her school days were mostly in the 1930’s, during the Great Depression and Dirty Thirties (Dust Bowl) era. Sr. Madeleine was a nun for over 70 years, and a real inspiration to her fellow Native Americans, whom she spent her life serving. May she rest in God’s peace.

Guest Blogger: Claire

Three Native American girls showing off their beautiful regalia. — Looking great girls! Juliana, Paite and Grace in their beautiful powwow regalia.

In honor of my Dad’s 70^th birthday (Sunday), I am dedicating three sets of regalia I have sewn for St. Joseph’s powwow. I think this is a fitting tribute. My Dad’s grandfather was born on the Yankton Indian reservation here in South Dakota, before moving to Michigan in the early 1900’s.

Grandpa kept his heritage a secret, probably because of the prejudices of that period. So many of the great things about my dad are things he learned from his grandpa, and these are things he passed on to my brothers—skills in carpentry, camping, fixing things and telling stories. Sadly, Dad didn’t learn about his Nakota traditions growing up, so this wasn’t something he was able to share with us kids. This makes me sad when I think about it.

Later in life, Dad started getting curious about his grandfather’s history, and started learning about Native American traditions and culture. I think this influenced my decision to work at St. Joseph’s Indian School and to participate in the seventh grade Cultural Trip for the past two years. I want today’s kids to know and be proud of their culture.

My family history is important to me. My mother’s family has a proud tradition of sewing. Busha (my great grandma) used to sew vestments for the parish priest, and I learned to sew on her treadle machine. I feel closest to my mom and Grammy when I am sewing. When I make regalia, I feel like I am honoring both of my great-grandmas — my Polish one and my Nakota one.

I am grateful to the donors and supporters of St. Joseph’s Indian School, who make things like powwow, our cultural trip and ceremony possible. In this season of giving, sometimes the gift of memories and pride are the most lasting of all. Thanks again, Claire!

Guest Blogger: Mike P

Happy Holidays from the William Home!

Each year, we host an open house and invite our teachers, mentors and other staff that work with our kids to come over and have some Christmas goodies. This is a great chance for the girls to show off their home and use their social skills and manners in a larger setting.

Kira grabs a loose ball in her last basketball game! — Great hustle Kira!

We just completed our fourth and fifth grade basketball season and the girls went out with a victory in their last game at a tournament in town. This was such a fun bunch to spend time with! It was great to be able to watch the different skills we try to coach begin to appear in the games. At this age, we spend a majority of our time in practice working on basic skills and how to play the game properly from dribbling the basketball, to sportsmanship on and off the court.

The girls also had the opportunity today to go through the Christmas store and pick out gifts for their families. After that, they went to see Santa, wrap their presents and enjoy some treats.

We have also continued our walking program with the girls. We are happy to announce that we are currently at a total of 10,789 laps in the gym, which is a little over 500 miles!

From the William Home, may you all have a very Merry Christmas and all your travels be safe!

Lakota students celebrating the Rite of Acceptance

We had a large group of Native American students, nineteen in all, take part in our RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children) today in church. We celebrated the Rite of Acceptance. They’ve been studying for a couple of months now, and are starting to intensify their sacramental preparations. One of the rituals involves a seven fold signing of the senses, blessing the students for example on the ears, eyes, hearts and hands. A few giggled, but most were very prayerful, as it is a moving gesture.

Two of last year’s high school graduates, Danisha and Erin, returned to campus after successfully navigating their first semester of college. After church they went to their former Hogebach Home (HS girls) cooked their friends brunch, and told them of their adjustment and transition to college life.

Boys’ intercity basketball finished up their season today. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade boys from St. Joseph’s and from town play together to have fun, exercise and give them a chance to know one another in new ways. The Bulls had only one loss on their record, and they avenged that defeat by beating the Heat in the championship game. The day also featured 3-point shot and free throw competition. Two awards per team were passed out, not for the highest scorers, but for the boys who hustled and participated and had the best attitude and sportsmanship.

Because of last week’s snowstorm, several of the Dancing Dolls and their families didn’t get a chance to take in the performance. The group used our Rec Center for a reprise, and campus swarmed with visitors in the evening.

Tickled and appreciative

Lots of activity on St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus today. Despite freezing rain and treacherous icy roads, Chamberlain’s Chamber of Commerce hosted fourth, fifth and sixth grade girls basketball tournaments at the three gyms throughout town. St. Joseph’s hosted the sixth grade action. All of our teams got in three games to end the season. None of them won the championship, but all hustled and played hard.

Fr. Steve and Trenton chat at St. Joseph's Indian School's Christmas store. — Trenton and Fr. Steve talking about what he wrapped up for his family.

Today’s big event was the Christmas Store. All the children had a handful of tickets which they could use to “purchase” different items that donors have sent in. They picked up sweaters for grandpa and clothes for a baby sister, necklaces for mom or a stuffed animal for a younger brother. Once they loaded up their plastic garbage bags with a dozen items or so, they came to the skate room, where Santa Claus waited to greet them, and generous volunteers helped them wrap all the presents to take home and share with their loved ones. Staff also baked lots of Christmas goodies for snacks throughout the day. Each of the nineteen homes had about 20 minutes to do their shopping before the next group came in. The kids are excited and look forward to it, and staff enter into the spirit of the season. Several high school students also helped decorate the room and wrap presents, teaching them to give back to their younger relatives.

Tonight the Chamberlain Area Churches Choir performed a lovely Christmas Cantata in our Chapel. I sat next to the Rooney Home boys (6^th-8^thgrades) but didn’t see any other Lakota students in the church. I was feeling bad that more of the kids couldn’t enjoy the lively harmonies and inspiring message. The Cantata was close to our primary students’ bedtime, so I understood. But then, I heard clapping coming from the choir loft. There was a lively group upstairs, wearing pajamas and bath robes, so they could go right from church to bedtime when all was finished!

There are advantages to having lots of connecting walk ways on our campus. And the choir seemed tickled and appreciative that our students were able to participate.

Her face beamed with delight

The William Home girls (4^th-5^th grade) held their annual holiday open house. The houseparents must have practiced some of questions with the girls so they could be good hostesses and work on social skills. Throughout my visit several of the girls asked me:

May I take your coat?
Are you comfortable?
Can I get you anything else?
How was your day?

From the moment they took my coat until the time I left, they were most gracious. Frederika sliced the cheese and sausage and wanted to know if it looked crooked. Trinity wondered how the cookies tasted since she baked them. One of the girls was featured on this year’s Christmas cards, and her face beamed with delight when I brought her a pile to share with her family and friends.