Alliance for Catholic Education
(Chamberlain, S.D.) On January 31, to coincide with Catholic Schools Week, St. Joseph’s Indian School launched Season 1 of the school’s first video podcast. The podcast, named Hóčhoka, aims to showcase the people and ideas that make the school a leader in Native American education.
The season begins with a short, introductory video where President Mike Tyrell turns the table on podcast host Scott Woster. Mike explained, “The rationale for the podcast springs from our strategic plan to be national leaders in advancing Native American lives. We do some wonderful things here, and we are blessed with talented and unique guests who support our efforts. The podcast allows us to reach out and share what we have with others and, in turn, to learn from the best that others have to offer.”
The Lakota word Hóčhoka (emphasis on the first syllable) means the center of the camp circle. The name speaks to the actual location of the recording studio at the heart of campus, the centrality of the mission of St. Joseph’s Indian School to all that it does, the role of the podcast to be at the center of the Native American educational conversation and gather others around that conversation.
Hóčhocka audiences might include employees, potential employees, families and students, the general public, supporters, advocates, educators, donors and anyone interested in issues central to Native America today. Many of the Season 1 topics were directly requested by the school’s parents and guardians.
Hosting duties are shared by Family Service Counselor Scott Woster, whose family is well-known in journalism circles around the state, and alumnus Hope McCloskey, a senior planning a film and television career at Augustana University.
Season 1 guests and topics include:
- Student Coordinator Jennie Schilling and Transition Specialist Krista Lepkowski in a three-part series that discusses the school’s unique approaches to helping students find success and overcome obstacles
- Sičháŋǧu Lakota author Joseph Marshall III in a six-part series on helping Native American youth know their cultural identity
- The school’s Native American Studies Lead and Sičháŋǧu Lakota LaRayne Woster on her journey to embracing her cultural identity
- Dr. Damian Costello, Scholar of Catholic Social Thought and Teaching, Black Elk and Native American Studies on Black Elk, Catholicism and Lakota Spirituality
The season runs with weekly releases through May 9.
Why tune in to a podcast from St. Joseph’s Indian School? Learn more about what the school has to offer. Listen to the wisdom of thought-leaders on Native American education today. Laugh, hope, warm your heart and sharpen your mind at the center of the school’s camp circle.
Find Hóčhoka Podcast at https://sjiskids.org/our-stories/podcasts
More Than 220 Native American students in first through twelfth grade find hope and opportunity through our educational, counseling, and residential programs. Strengthened by spirituality and culture, St. Joseph’s Indian School transforms lives—mind, body, heart and spirit—every day. Visit us at www.sjiskids.org and www.stjo.org.