Recently our Seniors traveled to South Dakota for their final retreat as St. Labre students.  The weekend began with opening prayers here on campus with family, friends and school staff.  They then traveled to Bear Butte Lodge, which is run by the Sioux tribe, at the base of Bear Butte.  The students participated in many activities at the lodge and up in the mountains.

After the retreat, the students took time to reflect and share their most spiritually significant experience.

“I would have to say that it was hiking up Bear Butte. I felt so much closer to mother earth. It was a moment of relevance for me; my identity as a young indigenous woman. I was able to reflect and lift up/offer really important prayers that have been on my heart for a long time. I am so thankful that I got to do that in my traditional way.”

“The sweat cause every time that I wanted to quit, I prayed harder and stronger. I felt that my lost family members were there with me.”