September 2020

DreamerExclusive news for the St. Joseph’s Indian School DreamMakers

The

SIGHT

Although seen in many ways, culture cannot beexpressed more boldly than with powwow regalia. Made from all colors of the rainbow, students don the attire to dance the Grass, Fancy, Traditional and Jingle Dress dances.

Some students bring their own regalia that’s been passed down for generations. However, many students don’t have access to such valuable heirlooms. Powwow regalia can be extremely expensive, which is why we take pride in providing it to every student who wants to dance. St. Joseph’s has a seamstress who creates beautiful regalia so no student has to miss out on participating in a wačhípi — powwow.

SOUND

Upon a visit to St. Joseph’s Indian School, you might hear words uttered you haven’t heard before — as if people were speaking another language … well, that’s exactly true! We are proud to say the Lakota language is expressed in conversations at our school, a skill they learn in their Native American studies class.

Culture is also heard with the beat of the Lakota

drum. Young men gather around in a circle to sing traditional, sacred songs. The songs are kept in time with the drum — the heartbeat — of the Lakota nation.

The Lakota culture is also heard in the sounds of the itázipa — bow — and the waŋhíŋkpe — arrow. As legend states, both were gifts from the sun and the moon to the Lakota people long ago to help them provide for their families and tribe. Today the gifts are used more recreationally, with students competing in archery tournaments multiple times a year.

SMELL

Personal Living Skills (PLS) is a favorite class at St. Joseph’s. Students don’t just learn about food … they actually get to cook! A few of their favorite meals include fry bread and wóžapi — fruit pudding. On the days when the bread is frying, the delicious smell glides through the school hallways.

Another beloved smell on campus is burning sage. Grown right here on campus, students takepride in cutting and preparing the sage for burning, just as their ancestors did. A cleansing plant, students and guests are invited to walk

Lakota (Sioux) students are completely immersed in culture once they arrive on campus.

Thanks to your generous support, Lakota culture at St. Joseph’s is

a feast for the senses!

(over, please)

The Sights, Sounds and Smells of the Lakota Culture

St. Joseph’s Indian SchoolWe serve and teach, we receive and learn.

PO Box 326Chamberlain, SD 57326

1-800-762-2162 • www.stjo.org/Dreamer

Our students were at home for spring break when news about the COVID-19 pandemic broke. After a few shorter school cancellations, the governor of South Dakota decided it would be safest to switch to distance learning for the rest of the 2019-20 school year.

What started as only a few days away from campus, quickly turned into months. Because this wasn’t planned, so many student possessions were left behind — treasured stuffed animals, clothing, books and more. To make sure students didn’t go without their valued items, St. Joseph’s staff carefully packaged everything and mailed the items to the students’ homes.

But it wasn’t just their treasured belongings children nearly went without. Sometimes, routine meals are not a given for all of our students, as their families cannot always afford food for three nutritious meals a day. St. Joseph’s stepped in to help with this, too. The staff safely delivered food to reservation communities while maintaining good hygiene and social distancing. An example of one such delivery included 90 gallons of milk, 34 gallons of orange juice, 39 heads of broccoli and cauliflower, 120 pounds of bananas, 120 pints of fresh berries, 24 pounds of strawberries, 52 loaves of bread and more! It was such a blessing to put hungry tummies at ease.

When tummies are full, it’s the perfect time for learning. School didn’t stop completely when students couldn’t return. That is the beauty of technology. For students with internet access, staff started getting creative with their lessons by hosting video conferences and recorded lessons.

For students without internet access, homework packets were mailed weekly to their homes.

Next on the checklist of outreach was mask making. We have some talented staff members who generously offered to create handmade masks to help keep St. Joseph’s students, staff and community members safe.

We are so blessed to have helped so many throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, and our efforts will continue for as long as needed … thanks to YOU!

Philámayaye — thank you — for your kind heart that allows us to bless people who need it most!

Staying Together, While Being ApartLast spring we had to keep our distance because of COVID-19, but your support made sure students still had everything they needed!

past the lit sage and waft the purifying smoke over their faces and bodies. This practice is called smudging.

Campus sage is also used for sacred inípi — sweat lodge — ceremonies and for making prayer ties. Its light, crisp scent is especially prevalent during Sunday Mass.

Learn more about the Lakota Sioux culture by visiting stjo.org/culture.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chokecherries (or any type of fresh/frozen berries)

• ½ cup water• ¾ cup sugar• 3 Tbsp cornstarch

In a saucepan, mix berries, sugar and ¼ cup of water. Bring to a boil. Meanwhile, stir cornstarch into remaining ¼ cup cold water until it is smooth.

While berry mixture is boiling, slowly add the cornstarch water, stirring gently until combined. Simmer for two minutes on low heat. When it’s thick, remove from heat, let cool five minutes and enjoy by itself, on crackers or like the Lakota (Sioux) with fry bread.

MAKE WÓŽAPI AT HOME