About St. Joseph's Indian School
Since 1927, St. Joseph's Indian School has served Lakota (Sioux) children and families.
Our mission is to educate Native American children and their families for life — mind, body, heart and spirit. This mission drives our organization to educate and provide housing for over 200 Lakota (Sioux) children each year — all at no cost to their families.
Child poverty and abuse are serious issues on Indian reservations. By supporting St. Joseph's Indian School, you are helping Native American children in need reestablish pride in their culture by learning the Lakota language, studying Native American culture and healing the broken family circle from which they come.
St. Joseph’s Indian School is More Than a School!
St. Joseph’s brings together family, fun classes, cultural appreciation, safety and love for Native American children in need.
Why Your Support Matters
If you’re new to St. Joseph’s Indian School and the struggles facing Native Americans living in reservation communities, the following information will help you get familiar with both. We hope after reading, you’ll desire to help innocent Lakota children overcome the obstacles set against them. One by one, people like you are making work at St. Joseph’s possible.
Stories from our Lakota Indian School
When Krista from the Alumni Relations team at St. Joseph’s Indian School thinks back to her college days, she remembers a simple joy: care packages from her grandparents. Sweet notes, surprise treats and the occasional “shareable” snack. Those packages always seemed to arrive at the perfect moment, like a warm hug through the mail.
At St. Joseph’s Indian School, Lakota (Sioux) students recently welcomed visiting artist Randall Blaze, who led an enriching clay-and-sculpting workshop. Randall, a prominent member of the South Dakota Arts Council (SDAC) Artists-in-Schools Program, shared his remarkable journey in art.
This fall, St. Joseph’s Indian School proudly awarded $138,500 in scholarships to 86 Native American students pursuing higher education — a powerful testament to the generosity of our donors and the resilience of our scholars.
Embrace a Child in a Circle of Care
The DreamMakers are a special group of friends who give automatic monthly gifts to ensure the Lakota (Sioux) children are provided for year-round. For as little as 32 cents a day, 100% of your monthly contribution will go directly to helping meet our students’ immediate needs … and will help provide dreams for the future.
Our Programs
Children attending St. Joseph's benefit from individualized care plans that follow nationally approved and accredited techniques. Friends who support St. Joseph's Native American programs help provide for every aspect of each child's physical, emotional, spiritual and educational needs.
