News

From January 31 to February 6, St. Joseph’s Indian School celebrates National Catholic Schools Week. Catholic Schools Week is an annual tradition that began in 1974. Catholic schools nationwide commemorate with celebrations, Masses, and activities for students,...

On November 19, St. Joseph’s Indian School eighth-grade students and staff ventured to the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation on a brisk and cold morning to experience what would be for some a “once in a lifetime” buffalo harvest. This is the first-ever St. Joseph’s Indian...

The Aktá Lakota Museum will soon welcome back to South Dakota a piece by well-known Native American artist Oscar Howe. The museum’s Acquisitions Committee recently purchased the work from the collection of Dr. Frederick Dockstader. Dockstader (1919-1998),...

During the week of November 16, St. Joseph’s Indian School 4-6th grade students and Native Hope are participating in this year’s national Rock Your Mocs event. This annual event creates a positive cultural experience that promotes unity and celebration of tribal...

Holiday spirit fills the air at St. Joseph’s Indian School as 2-8th grade students across campus shopped at the “Christmas Store” to pick out gifts for each of their family members. On Saturday, November 7, the festive fun continued with a surprise visit from Santa...

During the week of October 26, students across St. Joseph's Indian School campus kicked off the event on Monday with five differently-themed dress-up days and an interactive scavenger hunt to teach students about drug and alcohol awareness. St. Joseph’s Indian School...

From October 19 to 23, St. Joseph’s Indian School enjoys a unique musical residency and welcomed visiting artist Donna Gunn to campus as part of the South Dakota Arts Council Artist in Residency Program. Gunn is a talented pianist, singer, and music educator from...

On October 14, St. Joseph’s Indian School and Native Hope staff led female students in grades 6-12th grade through an educational opportunity on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and the Red Sand Project.The event brought awareness and provided information on...

Every year, St. Joseph’s Indian School celebrates Native American Day across campus in a unique and interactive way. The day opened with a beautiful Four Directions prayer service video created by the Mission Integration team and students. This beautiful service can...

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...

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. The group of 18 volunteers received in return a day...

2020 results are in from a very different powwow. On, September 19, 2020, St. Joseph’s Indian School hosted its 44th Annual Powwow, a powwow like no other. Due to the pandemic, a closed campus, safety measures, and social distancing meant that students participated in...

Akta Lakota Museum named a 2020 Travelers’ Choice winner and first-time recipient. With several positive reviews from across the world, the museum is also currently listed as the #2 recommended place out of 12 to visit in Chamberlain, S.D. Located in the heart of St....

The 44th Annual St. Joseph’s Indian School Wačhípi will be a powwow like no other. On September 19, the powwow will take place on campus but will not be open to the public. Due to COVID-19 safety regulations, the event will only be viewed by live stream for our...

St. Joseph’s Indian School Invited into National Network for Native American Schools. On September 2, St. Joseph’s Indian School accepted the invitation to join the American Indian Catholic Schools Network (AICSN) at the University of Notre Dame. St. Joseph’s Indian...

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. “Great news!” writes Greg Fisher, executive director of the Sacred Heart Center....

Heart and soul returns to St. Joseph’s Indian School. Staff from all over St. Joseph’s Indian School’s campus and Native Hope turned out for a socially distanced parade on Wednesday, August 19 to welcome back 129 second- through eighth-grade students. Bright spirits...

(Chamberlain, S.D.) – Since 1976, St. Joseph Indian School has provided new and donated books for communities across South Dakota through the Bookmobile. This year, staff volunteered and were able to assist in delivering 9,010 books to 9 stops across the state. In the...

2020 High School graduates announced. St. Joseph’s Indian School is proud to announce the graduation of Diana Williams and Nick Stands from its high school program, which partners with Chamberlain High School. A video posted on the St. Joseph Family Connections...

(Chamberlain, S.D.) –St. Joseph’s Indian School is a “2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and nonprofits. President Mike Tyrell feels the recognition is a direct result of the hard work of the entire...

(Chamberlain, S.D.) –College students across the nation are facing several changes in the pursuit of their post-secondary dreams. St. Joseph’s Indian School alumna Danielle Arpan has seen the effects first-hand and is experiencing the extra stress that an unexpected...

 (Chamberlain, S.D.) –The campus at St. Joseph’s Indian School has remained unusually quiet since March 6 when students returned home for Spring Break. Due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the students were not able to return to campus when planned. President Mike...

"Serving hope on the open road" as St. Joseph’s Indian School hit the highway on March 27 to deliver food, clothing, and cleaning supplies to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe food pantry and Sacred Heart Center Women’s Shelter. Although the school is not currently in...

Years of dedication worth celebrating! On May 30, 2020 , St. Joseph's Indian School announces years of service. St. Joseph's Indian School Announces years of service. On May 30, 2020, St. Joseph’s Indian School will celebrate employees who have reached an employee...

(Chamberlain, S.D.) –A commitment to serve. For over 20 years, St. Joseph’s Indian School Thrift Store has provided outreach support to several South Dakota communities including Eagle Butte, Wanblee, Okreek, Fort Thompson, Martin, Kyle, Allen, Mission, and Potato...

St. Joseph’s Indian School recently awarded more than $160,000 in scholarships to Native American students across the nation for the 2019-2020 school year. The scholarship program provided financial assistance to 114 students, 31 of whom are St. Joseph’s Indian School...

(Chamberlain, S.D.) –Happy Hearts and healthy minds. For over ten years, students at St. Joseph’s Indian School have practiced healthy ways to celebrate wellness and sobriety in the month of February. This year, a kid’s carnival, blacklight volleyball, summer-themed...

(Chamberlain, S.D.) –On February 1, 2020, St. Joseph’s Indian School archery students traveled to Huron, S.D., for the annual Dakota Oyate Challenge. This event kicked off the first archery competition for the school year so the students’ excitement was...

Chamberlain, S.D. (February 14, 2020): It took several hands and creative minds to paint two beautiful murals this week at St. Joseph’s Indian School. The Artist in Residency Program welcomed visiting artist Markus Tracy to campus to work with the students on design...

The Aktá Lakota Museum is excited to announce a gift of contemporary art to the permanent collection. Dr. Donald and Lorraine Nemer of Scottsdale, Ariz., formerly of Gregory, S.D., have generously donated their personal collection of JoAnne Bird art and Larry, James...

Three St. Joseph’s Indian School siblings have experienced a horseback ride that is unlike any other. Jasleen Archambeau, Isaiah Keeble, and Ezmiah Middletent joined their grandfather Wilfred Keeble this winter on the Dakota 38+2 Memorial Ride that took place from...

A spacious, new High School Learning Center makes the grade with current technology and a positive environment. This new space is boosting confidence, ratcheting up learning, and making grades for St. Joseph’s Indian School’s high school students who reside on St....

 A star is born in Brule County! The South Dakota Department of Tourism and the Governor’s Tourism Advisory Board recently selected Wanda Bunker, St. Joseph’s Indian School Historical Coordinator, as a recipient of the Governor’s Great Service Star award. She is...

Six Alumni Return to Share Post High School Advice at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Generosity is a deeply held value of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people who once dominated the Great Plains and passed that value on for generations. Families and staff of St....

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate member Red Eagle Visits Aktá Lakota Museum. On a crisp November Saturday morning, Jeremy Red Eagle pores over the articles in the Aktá Lakota Museum’s collection, less like he is viewing historical artifacts and much more like he is reading a...

A listening heart, respect, community outreach and involvement, volunteerism, engagement, innovation, leadership – these are the attributes shared by two longtime St. Joseph’s Indian School employees that made them standouts to receive national awards at the Council...

Over 100 students danced in beautiful Native American regalia on Saturday, Sept. 21, 20,19 at the 43rd Annual St. Joseph’s Indian School powwow in Chamberlain, S.D. Every year, St. Joseph’s Indian School is honored to host a traditional children’s Lakota powwow that...

On, Sept. 21, 2019, 10 drum groups and 157 dancers danced in beautiful Native American regalia at the 43rd Annual St. Joseph’s Indian School powwow in Chamberlain, S.D. St. Joseph’s Royalty were crowned on campus at the Recreation Center. Jordin Hawk, sixth grade, was...

(Chamberlain, S.D.) – St. Joseph’s Indian School is proud to announce the graduation of seven seniors from its high school program, which partners with Chamberlain High School. As part of the program, students reside on St. Joseph’s campus where they receive support...

(Chamberlain, S.D.) – St. Joseph’s Indian School is proud to announce the graduation of seven seniors from its high school program, which partners with Chamberlain High School. As part of the program, students reside on St. Joseph’s campus where they receive support...