St. Joseph's Indian School

St. Joseph's Indian School strives to break the cycle of poverty through providing care and an education to Native American children and families.

We are national leaders in advancing Native American lives.

Our Decade of Inclusion Challenges Us:
To partner with our students, their families and supporters to meet the strategic vision of national leadership, we will implement these four primary strategies:

1. We will stand firm in our strengths and knowingly maintain what we do well.
2. We will recognize and rectify our flaws.
3. We will reach and partner beyond our walls physically and digitally.
4. We will think and act boldly and ethically and lead the way nationally.

We will recognize and keep doing what we do well, improve upon our flaws, reach beyond our walls, and go boldly into the national conversation regarding Native life. We will be actively present in shaping our internal systems and showcase our mission on the national stage. We will take action. We will lead. We will be St. Joe Strong.

Within This Vision Are Several Bold Goals:
- Development of new measurements of student achievement based on Indigenous knowledge systems and St. Joseph’s Indian School’s expertise in teaching.
- Development of partnerships with nationally-recognized universities and foundations to share and increase knowledge, drive innovation and build human capacity within St. Joseph’s Indian School leadership.
- Continue to build a broader array of services and outreach planning between St. Joseph’s Indian School and our alumni and thiyóšpaye — extended family.
- Development of a St. Joseph’s Indian School-specific approach to addressing boarding school history.
- Development of a larger St. Joseph’s Indian School outreach strategy with a physical and digital footprint, providing additional educational opportunities and social interaction space.
- Development of a national media strategy for the Development Office.

Through our Circle of Care and modernized programming. St. Joseph's Indian School educations for life — mind, body, heart and spirit. Our approach embraces Catholic teaching alongside Native American spirituality and relational worldview. The wrap-around environment honors each student as an individual with specific needs that are met through the combined efforts of the student, their extended family, our supporters and every staff member on campus.

- Residential Living: St. Joseph’s Indian School has two Residential Living Programs on campus — the elementary program and the high school program. Both are tailored to meet the needs of the Lakota (Sioux) students in our care.

- Education: Children attending St. Joseph’s benefit from individualized care plans that follow nationally approved and accredited techniques. Friends who support St. Joseph’s help provide for every aspect of each child’s physical, emotional, spiritual and educational needs.

- Culture: Appreciation of the children’s cultural heritage is infused in our daily routine both at school and in the homes. St. Joseph’s Native American Studies classes focus on Lakota language, culture and traditions. We have cultural experts on staff who teach about the Native American culture and also regularly invite Lakota (Sioux) elders and advisors to assist with ceremonies like Inípi, a purification rite, on campus. A variety of educational opportunities are provided for both students and staff alike.

- Health/Wellness: St. Joseph’s Indian School’s Health & Family Services Center, located on St. Joseph’s campus, is open daily and has ‘on-call’ nurse availability after hours and on weekends to fulfill the Native American health care needs of our students. Healthcare providers are available each morning during the week to see to the needs of our Native American students and staff.

- Counseling: Every student who attends St. Joseph’s Indian School receives comprehensive health services. As important as immunizations and regular check-ups are, it’s the mental health techniques of play, art, talk, group, and equine (our newest addition) therapies provided to our Native American youth that are perhaps more crucial and life-changing … even life-saving.

- Spirituality: Founded by the Priests of the Sacred Heart, our spiritual philosophy is to provide students with a rich base of Catholic faith and Native American tradition upon which they can draw for a lifetime, finding Thunkasila (Creator) in all things.

Through dedication and hard work, we are achieving our strategic goals. During FY 2022:
- We celebrated 95 years of service to Native American children and their families.
- 199 students were served on campus.
- Over $185,000 was awarded in scholarships to Native American students seeking higher education.
- 18,518 free books were given to adults and children living in South Dakota reservation communities.
- 28,813 meals were served from our dining hall.
- 3,153 medical visits took place in our campus health center.
- 250 food boxes were delivered to students and families.
- 88 students received specialized health services.
- And so much more!