Montana Catholic Schools Weekly
October 12, 2015
Dakota 38 and the Cultural Divide
I came across a short movie last month that I would like to recommend. “Dakota 38” can be viewed for free on YouTube. It’s the story of Bill Miller, a Dakota Sioux man who had a vision of 38 warriors hanging. This vision was tied to the hanging by the US Government of 38 Dakota Sioux warriors in Mankato, Minnesota on December 26, 1862.
Bill and a group of Sioux traveled on horseback from South Dakota to the site of the hangings (on the day of the hanging) and the movie follows their journey and interviews the participants.
The participants speak about the despair of their lives and connect the emptiness to a historical suffering from broken treaties, genocide, and loss of land. This historical suffering has formed what they term “cultural Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” and points out the need for healing. This healing journey is very moving as they participants remember their ancestors and confront their own fears and resentment.
The movie is a window into the cultural divide which exists between the dispossessed Sioux—many of whom do not trust whites—and the whites who now live on their historical land. But Miller’s voice is one of hope.
As Miller says, “We don’t have to blame the waischus (white people) any more. We are selling drugs. We are killing our own people.” In one poignant moment, Miller and the others participate in a healing ceremony when whites and Sioux apologize to one another. Miller says, “We are doing this for our children and grandchildren.”
The movie serves as a great introduction to the sorrow and need for healing between two cultures.
Here's the link to the movie. It will be the richest hour of your week.
Here's a link to an article about fetal alcohol syndrome on the Pine Ridge Reservation:
Dr. Tim Uhl, Superintendent
Planning for the new St. Francis
Get Splashed! Fun Run
Butte Central Elementary Accreditation
The Week Ahead
Tuesday: return from St. Labre; office (Helena)
Wednesday: Great Falls meetings (Marian class at 12:30 pm)
Thursday: Marian class at Loyola Sacred Heart 9:00 am
Friday: Marian class at Billings Central HS 9:00 am
Saturday: Holy Spirit Auction
This week: 1,648
Last week: 705 miles
2015-16: 4,670 driving miles/ 2,346 air miles
Montana Catholic Schools Weekly
Email: superintendent@montanacc.org
Website: www.montanacatholicschools.org
Location: PO Box 1708 Helena MT 59601
Phone: (406) 442-5761
Twitter: @mtcathschools
For Principals
- The "Themes of the New Testament" classes will be held on Wed at 12:30 in Great Falls Central Catholic HS, 9:00 Thursday at Loyola Sacred Heart HS, and 9:00 Friday at Billings Central HS.
- Please complete your NCEA data forms ASAP. Deadline is Oct 23rd.
- If you report directly to the Superintendent, please complete your goal statements ASAP.
- We have scheduled a followup NWEA web conference in order to help you decipher and interpret your MAP scores on November 19th at 3:00 pm.
- Safety surveys are due to Catholic Mutual.
- Please schedule classroom visits for new teachers and walk throughs for all teachers.
- There is a hearing scheduled for November 5th at 1:30 pm related to school choice. The Department of Revenue is scheduled to approve their regulations on the "Qualified Education Providers" to set up scholarships. The rules will not allow any religiously-affiliated organization to participate.
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