St. Joseph’s Indian School Celebrates Native American Week

Because one day isn’t enough and one activity can’t say it all, staff and students at St. Joseph’s Indian School extended the cultural celebration of Native American Day from Sunday to Friday. Each day unveiled more of the richness and diversity of their Lakota, Dakota and Nakota heritage through prayer, fun, dance, language, lessons, clothing and art.

Native American Culture celebrated

Sunday, October 10, began the six-day observance with a Lakota Mass incorporating prayer, dance, drumming and song from the Lakota tradition. Following Mass, the high school engaged in a Lakota language lesson. Former Director Fr. Stephen Huffstetter was visiting campus and celebrated the liturgy.

Monday grade-school students followed 11 clues to scavenge for culturally significant items around campus. Sacred sage, cedar and the mural of Black Elk in the Dehon Health and Family Services Center were among the stops on the circuit. “I had so much fun today; I had teachable moments with our students. We prayed together and learned together,” said seventh-grade teacher Nancy LeBeau.

High School students participated in the Sioux Falls Native American Day Parade. The Native American Day Parade and celebrations are hope in continued healthy dialogue on conversations surrounding the health and well-being of Native Americans and the Sioux Falls community through truth, reconciliation and self-representation.

four directions prayer

Tuesday the school day closed with the Four Directions Prayer Service on the lawn of the Wisdom Circle. The school’s Pahá Makȟásaŋ Lowáŋpi (Chalk Hills Singers drum group) provided the “heartbeat” of the people to the prayer.

Wednesday found students visiting the Akta Lakota Museum where they experienced one of the many culturally rich lessons.

Thursday was “Identity Day,” when students dressed in ribbon skirts, ribbon shirts, moccasins and other cultural apparel. Parents and guardians came to campus in the afternoon for parent-teacher conferences, after which families enjoyed a meal together in the school gym.

The culture-packed week came to a close with Friday’s lessons in grade school from the South Dakota Education Association’s Očeti Šakówiŋ Essential Understandings designed to promote cultural understanding of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people.

Knowing one’s culture is a key preventive measure against youth at-risk behaviors.