Alliance for Catholic Education
In April, middle school students from American Indian Catholic Schools Network (AICSN) partner schools traveled to campus for the AICSN Middle School Pilgrimage. This event, started in 2016, provides students with an opportunity to celebrate the achievement of graduating middle school, meet other young people attending American Indian Catholic Schools, experience a university environment, and reflect on their faith.
This year, the AICSN team was thrilled to host students from four schools—the most schools to ever attend the pilgrimage. Thirty total students traveled to 
campus from De La Salle Blackfeet School (Browning, MT), St. Augustine Indian School (Winnebago, NE), St. Mary’s Mission School (Red Lake, MN), and St. Joseph Mission School (San Fidel, NM). The AICSN Middle School Pilgrimage is a special time, as it is the only point in the year when students from AICSN schools are able to meet one another. During the pilgrimage, numerous cross-school friendships were formed as students eagerly shared about their communities and learned about the backgrounds and experiences of students from different schools.
The trip began with a presentation about the historical connection between the University of Notre Dame and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi from Zada Ballew, a ‘19 grad who currently serves as a historical consultant and cultural liaison for the Native American Initiatives of Notre Dame. The presentation was followed by a welcome dinner at Remick Commons in the ACE building, where visiting students had a chance to meet undergraduate students who are members of the Native American Student Association of Notre Dame and current ACE Teaching Fellows interns, who will be joining the ACE Teaching Fellows program upon graduation.
The programming, which took place on both the Notre Dame and Holy Cross College campuses, focused on college access, experiencing a university, and faith.
Hali Murphy, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and a Notre Dame undergraduate admissions counselor, presented about college readiness and the college application process. Anna Hurt and Carlos Leyva, at Holy Cross College, presented about Saints & Scholars—Holy Cross’s premier pre-college program. Giving students opportunities to learn about college access is vital, as Indigenous students attend and graduate college at a lower rate than their non-Indigenous counterparts.
Students experienced college life with meals at both North and South Dining Halls, ice skating at Compton Family Ice Arena, a visit to the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, and basketball at Rolfs Athletics Hall. Moreover, students toured Notre Dame stadium and visited Notre Dame Studios.
There were several opportunities for students to reflect on their faith and spirituality. The students attended Mass at the Basilica, participated in the tour of the Grotto, which was led by Fr. Joe Carey, C.S.C., and engaged in small group discussions, which were facilitated by students who are involved with Campus Ministry.
The Notre Dame community benefits from engaging with these students, as they have valuable perspectives and insights to share with students, staff, and faculty on campus. Will Newkirk, the director of AICSN, said, “Our best days at Notre Dame are when students and educators from AICSN schools come to visit. They teach us so much about what life is like for students at American Indian Catholic schools, as well as in Indian Country. It's quite moving when they share their dreams for high school, college, and beyond—and we are honored to work with them in achieving those goals.”
The AICSN Middle School Pilgrimage was a special time in which students from De La Salle Blackfeet School, St. Augustine Indian School, St. Mary’s Mission School, and St. Joseph School learned, grew, and formed friendships. This annual event demonstrates AICSN’s commitment to college access, community building, education, and faith. We look forward to hosting a new group of students in the spring of 2025!
This trip was made possible through the generous support of Gary and Barbara Pasquinelli and their family. Additionally, the pilgrimage was enhanced by our visit to Holy Cross College, which was a new element of this year’s pilgrimage.
You can learn more by watching this video, which features clips from the 2023 AICSN Middle School Pilgrimage.