Red Cloud Indian School
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Maȟpíya Lúta High School students continued a beloved annual tradition—serving a Thanksgiving meal to relatives and community members at Sacred Heart Church in Pine Ridge. Each year, students volunteer to give up one day of their Thanksgiving break 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 energy, laughter and a shared commitment to service as “men and women for others” to start the holiday season.
By noon, the doors to Sacred Heart Church open and community members are welcomed inside for a hot meal, warm conversation, fellowship and thankfulness. Students greet guests, plate meals, offer refills and ensure Elders are served with care and respect—embodying the Lakota values of generosity, compassion and being good relatives.
The meal continues until mid-afternoon concluding a full day of service that leaves guests comforted, students tired but deeply fulfilled. This tradition has become one of the most meaningful parts of the holiday season. Each year’s gathering continues to demonstrate the strength of the Maȟpíya Lúta community—students, staff, and families coming together to honor one another and give thanks in the spirit of wóčhekiye (prayer) and wówačhaŋtognake (generosity).
Another beloved holiday tradition, Mahpiya Luta’s Annual Buffalo Harvest, was celebrated on Friday, November 15th—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. A time for our schools and students of all ages to come together in learning, celebration and gratitude (Wóphila).
Rising before sunrise, a select group of high school boys, their faces painted, participate in prayers of deep 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 is killed, it is brought back to campus for processing. Students play an active role, learning firsthand how to process, clean, and package every part of the buffalo, ensuring nothing is wasted. These teachings offer an understanding and honoring of the buffalo’s sacred role in sustaining life and community.
Students, staff, and community members take what they need to create food, art, or other cultural materials, continuing the cycle of generosity and resourcefulness. The harvested buffalo meat is packaged and frozen for future school events and use in our cafeteria, keeping the spirit of giving alive throughout the year.
Most importantly, the Buffalo Harvest 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 our Lakota people, we include traditional experiences including tipi raising, hand games and singing to immerse everyone in our rich cultural practices.
