The hochokaaudio’s Podcast

Season 1 Teaser

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

Season 2, Episode 15 - Fresh Perspectives on Catholicism Through an Indigenous Lens - The Secret Life of the Christmas Tree

Most of us don’t know how deep the Christmas tree’s roots are says Dr. Damian Costello. He walks us through some history and shares indigenous cultural traditions and other perspectives to bring us full circle to appreciate the secret indigenous life of the Christmas Tree.

Season 2, Episode 14 - The Spirit That Inspires Us - The Chapel as Icon of the Catholic Faith and Lakota Tradition

Can the Catholic faith and Lakota tradition emerge from the same spiritual trunk to become the branches that nourish and shelter the students at St. Joseph’s Indian School? Mission Integration Director Joe Tyrell illustrates with examples from prayer, ceremony, the Chapel and the classroom.

Season 2, Episode 13 - The Spirit That Inspires Us - Fully Lakota, Fully Catholic

Makȟa Black Elk follows the path of his great great great grandfather Nicholas Black Elk in fully embracing his Lakota heritage and the Catholic faith. He finds no dualism in this approach. Instead, he understands the richness and fullness of this spirituality. Listen to Makȟa and host Scott Woster on Hóčhoka.

Season 2, Episode 12 - Fresh Perspectives on Catholicism Through an Indigenous Lens - The First Thanksgiving

Few things in American life strike a deeper chord than Thanksgiving, says Dr. Damian Costello. Walk with us through the true indigenous roots of the first Thanksgiving feast to come to see and respect the Indigenous way of giving thanks at the heart of this celebration. 

Season 2, Episode 11 - The Spirit That Inspires Us - Dehonian Thought and Action

Learn what drives the mission of St. Joseph’s Indian School and the inspiring leader who said, “The Heart of Jesus is overflowing with tenderness and compassion for all those who suffer, those who endure hardships, those who go hungry, and for the sick and the infirm. His is the heart of a father, the heart of a mother, the heart of a shepherd.”

Season 2, Episode 10 - Boarding School Truth and Healing and the Roman Catholic Church

How can faith communities participate in the Truth and Healing needed because of our nation’s boarding school era? Fr. Mike Carson, Assistant Director of Native American Affairs for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, explains the group’s work on the subject and talks about the bishop’s efforts to advance boarding school truth and healing. We look at factors influencing this critical work.

Season 2, Episode 9 - Native American Boarding School Truth and Healing Part II

In this second of a two-part series, Makȟa Black Elk joins us to explain the impact of boarding school history on Native America today. Makȟa unpacks the living reality of that history for boarding school survivors and descendants and the vital work of truth and healing.

Season 2, Episode 8 - Native American Boarding School Truth and Healing - Part I

Makȟa Black Elk is Executive Director for Truth and Healing at Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, S.D., a former Indian boarding school. A descendent of boarding school survivors, he brings a passion for interreligious dialogue to his work advocating for truth and healing in Catholic ministries and schools serving indigenous peoples. He speaks about why this challenging work is so important now and why it is difficult for many to engage in. Listen to Makȟa and host Scott Woster on Hóč

Season 2, Episode 7 - Forming Lakota LeadersThrough the Seventh Grade Cultural Trip

We’ve been speaking with Joseph Marshall III on Lakota Leadership, primarily through the lens of legendary leader Crazy Horse. Today, we learn how St. Joseph’s Indian School travels in the footsteps of Crazy Horse to prepare seventh graders for their leadership roles at the school the following year.