St. Joseph's Indian School

St. Joseph's Indian School
Location
Chamberlain, South Dakota, United States
Information
Religious affiliation(s)	Catholic
Established	1927
Founder	Henry Hogebach

St. Joseph's Indian School is an American Indian boarding school, located in Chamberlain, South Dakota, United States. It was founded in 1927 by Henry Hogebach, a Roman Catholic priest from Germany. The school is owned and operated by the Priests of the Sacred Heart, who are not Native Americans.

The school was founded as a Catholic mission school in 1927 by German Roman Catholics. It is owned and operated by the Priests of the Sacred Heart, non-Native Americans. As a boarding school, it provided dormitories for a range of Native American children, primarily from the Lakota and Sioux reservations on the Great Plains. The school was originally directed to assimilate Native American children to the majority United States culture, influenced by European traditions. They were encouraged (or forced) to speak English and to practice Catholicism.

In the 21st century, approximately 200 Native American children attend the residential school. Today students live in family-style group homes with other students.

Also on the campus is Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center, which has holdings and events to explore Plains Indian history and culture. It occupies a building converted from previous classroom use.

In the 2010s, St. Joseph's School has been investigated for several issues related to its fundraising practices. In 2013 the school failed to meet the give.org standards for charity accountability.

In 2014 it was the subject of investigative reports by CNN and Indian Country Today. The school sent out mass mailings featuring offers of made-in-China dreamcatchers and fictional, emotional letters from nonexistent students. These tactics have been called, "the worst of poverty porn."

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