A group of about 20, representing all school departments from facilities and donor services to the school and Akta Lakota Museum gathered together to check in on St. Joseph’s Indian School’s annual powwow planning. September 17 is less than one month away. It takes the efforts of everyone on campus to pull off the big weekend, but much work has already been done. We already have 278 out-of-town guests who have registered, and a few more come in every day! Two years ago, the day was quite hot and last year was cold enough for gloves and hats. This year we’re hoping everything is just right!
About half of our high school students are already on campus. Some are participating in sports practices for volleyball, football and cross-country. A few who are not in sports, are also here because family circumstances make being on campus now in their interest. Students not in sports, help out with jobs on and off campus. I saw one of our student athletes helping the grounds crew by picking up sticks around Wisdom Circle. He tried out for the football team, but a 5 hour practice changed his mind, so we put him to work. On the other hand, I saw Daylon washing windows the first couple of days. The manual labor gave her the incentive and motivation to try out for the freshman volleyball team!
Mark is the staff advisor for the Drum Group. They held their first meeting of the year to set up a practice schedule. We graduated several strong singers, and I was heartened to see a good-sized crew of sixth graders who have signed up and are willing to learn the songs and art of drumming. Besides helping out at the powwow and upcoming prayer services, this year the school is working to regularly incorporate the flag song as part of the home room beginning of the day ritual, which gives them an added incentive to practice.
