Life on an Indian reservation can be hard.

In some reservation communities, pervasive poverty means that innocent Native American children have to fight for survival. From one day to the next, they might not know where they will sleep, if they will eat or who will take care of them.

• “Living conditions on United States reservations have been cited as ‘comparable to third world’.” (Gallup Independent
• 90,000 Indian families are currently homeless or underhoused. (Indian Country Today)
• Nearly 1 in 4 Native American households are food insecure (Current Population Survey)
• 24% of South Dakota tribal members live in overcrowded conditions or lack a kitchen or plumbing (Housing and Urban Development)
• The suicide death rate among Native American youth aged 10-34 was the second leading cause of death behind unintentional injuries. (Indian Health Services)

Since 1927, St. Joseph’s Indian School has provided a home-away-from-home for over 200 Lakota (Sioux) children each and every year.

Through the generosity of many caring kola — friends — like you, we are able to provide:

• A safe home
• Health care
• Three hot, nutritious meals every day
• A well-rounded education
• Professional counseling
• A spiritual and cultural foundation
• And MANY more!

St. Joseph’s is fully accredited and meets all the academic standards set forth by the state of South Dakota.

Beyond academics, St. Joseph’s students learn about their traditional Lakota (Sioux) culture by participating in our annual powwow and other cultural activities.

Watch this video and let our students tell you about the challenges they face and why St. Joseph’s Indian School is important to them.

Wopila tanka — many thanks — for giving the gift of HOPE to Native American children!