Maȟpíya Lúta High School students continued a beloved annual tradition—serving a meal to relatives and community members at Sacred Heart Church. Each year, student volunteers gather to prepare, cook and serve this traditional meal. Their day begins long before sunrise as they gather in the kitchen to start chopping vegetables, seasoning turkeys, preparing side dishes and decorating the dining hall. Under the guidance of staff and volunteers, students work together with a shared commitment to serve as “men and women for others.” The doors to Sacred Heart Church opened and community members were welcomed inside for a hot meal, conversation, fellowship and thankfulness. Students greeted guests, plated meals, offered refills and ensured that our Elders were served with respect—embodying the Lakota values of generosity and compassion. Each year’s gathering demonstrates the strength of the Maȟpíya Lúta community—students, staff, and families coming together to give thanks in the spirit of wóčhekiye (prayer) and wówačhaŋtognake (generosity).

The Mahpiya Luta’s Annual Buffalo Harvest is another beloved tradition that we celebrated. It is a day filled with excitement and deep cultural significance. The Buffalo Harvest embodies our profound connection to Lakota culture, spirituality and sustainability, reminding us of the importance of living in harmony with the natural world. It is a time for our students to come together in learning, celebration and gratitude (Wóphila). Rising before sunrise, a select group of high school boys, their faces painted, participated in prayers of gratitude and respect to honor the buffalo for its sacrifice as we pledge to use every part of the animal as it provides sustenance for the Lakota people. After the buffalo was killed, it was brought back to campus for processing. Students played an active role, learning firsthand how to process, clean, and package every part of the buffalo. This special event offers an understanding and honors the buffalo’s sacred role in sustaining life in our community.

Students and staff took what they needed from the buffalo to create food, art, and other cultural materials. The harvested buffalo meat was packaged and frozen for future school events, keeping the spirit of giving alive throughout the year. The Buffalo Harvest also serves as a vital opportunity to pass on these teachings to our Lakota youth, ensuring they carry forward the knowledge, traditions and values that sustain our culture. During the Buffalo Harvest, in addition to prayers about the sacred relationship between the buffalo and the Lakota people, we also included experiences such as tipi raising, hand games and singing to immerse everyone in our rich cultural practices.