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

The

August 2020

(over, please)

Traditionally, Lakota (Sioux) children spent their leisure time playing hand games. The game involves two sets of bones — one marked and one clear — that two “hiders” conceal in their hands while the opposing team’s “guesser” chooses which hand holds the marked bone. Many still play this traditional game today, including St. Joseph’s Indian School students.

DID YOU KNOW?

Thanks to your support, St. Joseph’s Rec Center staff were able to show a little extra love to two neighboring reservations … and it had kiddos jumping up and down — literally!

Staff loaded a St. Joseph’s van on a summer day and drove to the Suicide Prevention/Diamond Willow Youth Center in Fort Thompson S.D., a small community on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. With them they took pogo sticks, basketballs, softballsand more — all sorts of gear kiddosneed for a fun summer day!

From there, the St. Joseph’s crew traveled to the Lower Brule Indian Reservation to give the same supplies to the local Boys and Girls Club.

St. Joseph’s has been fortunate enough to bless both reservations with sporting equipment the last few years.

“Both facilities thanked us several times,” said Bryan, St. Joseph’s Rec Center Coordinator. “They were very excited and appreciative of all the goodies.”

But none were as thankful as the Native American children who were able to play with all the new gear.

“At Lower Brule, the kids started showing-up while we were unloading. They hopped on the pogo sticks and had contests to see who could do the most jumps without falling,” said Bryan. “All the kids had huge smiles and it was fun for us to watch as they enjoyed the donations.”

The plan is to continue donating items for many summers to come as long as we are able.

Philámayaye — thank you — to our generous supporters who not only allow us to bless over 200 Lakota (Sioux) children at our school, but children in South Dakota reservation communities, as well!

Discover how St. Joseph’s is making a difference off-campus by visiting

stjo.org/outreach!

Nearby reservations get an extra dose of love from St. Joseph’s Indian School.

St. Joseph’s Delivers All the Right Ingredients for Summertime Fun!

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

Printed at Tipi Press Printing

DID YOU KNOW?The gift by the Iron Heart family fulfi lls one of four categories in the Circle of Courage? Historically, the Lakota aligned their actions with the following four categories: belonging, mastery, independence and generosity. The gift from the Iron Heart’s was incredibly generous.

Three alumni honored for a recent gift they graciously made to St. Joseph’s Indian School.

Nobody knew when Kim, Mike and Jim Nobody knew when Kim, Mike and Jim Iron Heart graduated from St. Joseph’s Iron Heart graduated from St. Joseph’s Indian School in the late 1980s and early Indian School in the late 1980s and early 1990s the siblings would be back decades 1990s the siblings would be back decades later to make an impact for future graduates. later to make an impact for future graduates.

But that’s exactly what happened. But that’s exactly what happened.

The family was recently recognized for a The family was recently recognized for a monetary donation they made. Such a grand monetary donation they made. Such a grand gesture prompted our school to honor them in gesture prompted our school to honor them in a special way — one that will be seen over and a special way — one that will be seen over and over again this fall …over again this fall … The three siblings were very active in athletics The three siblings were very active in athletics during their school years at St. Joseph’s. It during their school years at St. Joseph’s. It seemed only fi tting to add their family’s name seemed only fi tting to add their family’s name to our football fi eld scoreboard! to our football fi eld scoreboard!

“We are here to not only celebrate the Iron “We are here to not only celebrate the Iron Heart’s coming home, but celebrate as a family. Heart’s coming home, but celebrate as a family. They have made a very nice contribution to our They have made a very nice contribution to our school,” said President Mike Tyrell during the school,” said President Mike Tyrell during the sign dedication. “I think it’s a wonderful thing sign dedication. “I think it’s a wonderful thing to have alumni who have left, come back and to have alumni who have left, come back and give a contribution.” give a contribution.”

Having the Iron Heart family name on the Having the Iron Heart family name on the scoreboard will forever remind staff, students scoreboard will forever remind staff, students and visitors of the great things that have taken and visitors of the great things that have taken place at St. Joseph’s throughout our 90-plus place at St. Joseph’s throughout our 90-plus year history.year history.

“We acknowledge what is written on the sign as “We acknowledge what is written on the sign as a reminder of all the great things accomplished a reminder of all the great things accomplished here at St. Joseph’s during the past, present and here at St. Joseph’s during the past, present and future — but most of all, the great relationships future — but most of all, the great relationships we have built as part of a family,” said Mike.we have built as part of a family,” said Mike.

The Iron Heart family looked very touched The Iron Heart family looked very touched by the gesture as they shook the hands of the by the gesture as they shook the hands of the football players — the St. Joseph’s Braves — football players — the St. Joseph’s Braves — who were also in attendance for the dedication.who were also in attendance for the dedication. Thank you for providing Native American Thank you for providing Native American students with programs and services to have students with programs and services to have bright futures — futures that allow them to not bright futures — futures that allow them to not only thrive themselves, but give to others!only thrive themselves, but give to others!

Former Students Return to Bless St. Joseph’s in a Big Way