St. Joseph’s Indian School Students ‘Rock Their Mocs’

Each student at St. Joseph’s Indian School was gifted a pair of moccasins to wear for Rock Your Mocs and for years to come.

The week of November 13 has been “busyness” as usual at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Rock Your Mocs Week began with Lakota Mass on Sunday.

Following the culturally infused liturgical celebration, staff distirbuted moccasins to “rock” throughout the week. Rock Your Mocs is a national annual event that creates a positive cultural experience, promotes unity and celebrates tribal individuality by wearing moccasins to honor ancestors and Indigenous people worldwide. It is the centerpiece of the celebration of Native American Month.

On Native American Day, St. Joseph’s Indian School hosted One Day of Giving to help raise money for moccasins for each student. It was successful, and now every student at St. Joseph’s has a pair to wear for the week and keep for years to come.

Students embraced the idea. Sixth grader Rayne Grassrope said, “They are comfy, and I’m happy to wear them because it’s part of my culture.”

Classmate Jayda Stead concurred, “This is my first pair of moccasins. I’m happy that I get to have something from my culture and heritage that is my very own.”

At 4 p.m. Wednesday, students in the grade school and high school programs assembled to walk a circuit around campus as an observance of the week. The school’s Pahá Makȟásaŋ Lowáŋpi – Chalk Hills Singers — drum group marked the rhythm for the walk, the heartbeat of the people.

This year, Rock Your Mocs coincides with the school’s traditional celebration of a family night on Wednesday of the week before the Thanksgiving holiday. Renamed Thiyóšpaye Night this year in honor of the Lakota tradition of extended family, the celebration began as soon as the Rock Your Mocs Walk arrived at the school’s Rec Center. The evening was an explosion of laughter and competition with quick-paced “Minute to Win It Games” and favorite foods, like pizza.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.

8 thoughts on “St. Joseph’s Indian School Students ‘Rock Their Mocs’”

  1. Love what St. Joseph has done through the years. A long time supporter, retired now. But my company , Flushing house, has contributed through the years,,, and myself, after I retired,,blessings always upon you,,
    Annamarue Canadeo

  2. Good items for them to wear to keep warm will be arriving soon. Should be great for the winter weather and to keep dry and worm. Love all of you,
    Lynne Reese

  3. Roc the Mocs is a wonderful thing to see and to learn what the children are saying about it: “I’m happy to get something from my culture that is my very own.” And indeed, that culture is to be lauded; it and its people are a credit to the earth, to life here — have been and will continue to be and each of you is a proud part of it. Praise that and embrace it as your very own and know that it ‘gifts’ you forever. Much Love and Light on you all!

    1. I will be sending the clothing next Monday as I made sure it is different sizes and all are good for winter. Plenty of items that even have the tags on them as I never wore them but paid for them. I hope the children will be happy Honey!

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