Maȟpíya Lúta volunteers provide many educational and related services to the students at Maȟpíya Lúta Owáyawa, while contributing to the economic sustainability and overall well-being of the school. Volunteers bring with them their diverse educational, cultural, and spiritual backgrounds, sharing this gift with the students and community.
ABOUT
Each year, volunteers serve nearly 500 Lakota students in one of three Catholic, Jesuit schools on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. During their ten-month term of service, which can be renewed for up to three years, Maȟpíya Lúta volunteers work as classroom teachers, school support staff, bus drivers, coaches, and/or activity club sponsors. The volunteer experience, however, extends well beyond the boundaries of our classrooms and schools:
Maȟpíya Lúta volunteers have opportunities to become involved in the larger Lakota community through participation in Lakota-Catholic parishes, Lakota religious ceremonies, Lakota language classes and camps, cultural events such as powwows, basketball leagues, and family gatherings to mourn or to celebrate. The Maȟpíya Lúta Volunteer Program is a unique opportunity to learn and practice intercultural solidarity.
Maȟpíya Lúta Volunteers do not come to this place alone. They live in intentional communities of other volunteers from around the country. Together as a community, the volunteers strive to live the core values of the program:
- Community
- Spirituality
- Simplicity
- Justice
Since the 1960s, Maȟpíya Lúta Owáyawa has recruited college graduates each year to serve as volunteer teachers and aides on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Carefully chosen from many applicants across the country, these volunteers live on the Red Cloud (Maȟpíya Lúta) and Our Lady of Lourdes (Wíŋyaŋ Wakȟáŋ) campuses, committing themselves to a ministry of service to Lakota children, living simply, and nourishing their faith life while living amongst another culture. The average commitment of a Maȟpíya Lúta volunteer is two years.
The Maȟpíya Lúta Volunteer Program provides the volunteers with housing a modest monthly stipend, money for food, health insurance, a community vehicle.
The volunteer year of services starts with volunteer orientation in mid-July and ends with the volunteer end-of-year retreat in late May.
Inside the Volunteer Program with Jonathon Wojtkowiak, S.J.
Volunteer Program Coordinator, Jonathon Wojtkowiak, S.J., shares insights about the program—what it offers, why it matters to him, and the positive impact it brings to our community.
Exploring Roots, Giving Back: Kayle’s Volunteer Story
Kayle shares how her family history inspired her to volunteer at Maȟpíya Lúta and reflects on her first impressions of the program.
Embracing the Journey: Amy’s Story at Maȟpíya Lúta
Through the Magis program at Creighton University, Amy discovered more than just a path toward her master’s degree—she found a welcoming community, a passion for teaching, and joy in connecting with her students.
APPLY
If you are interested in being a part of this journey and year of service, please send an email to [email protected] to start the application process.
The application process consists of submitting a resume and cover letter expressing your interest in the program. There are a few application forms to fill out, that can be found on this website (Maȟpíya Lúta Volunteer Program Application). Then we finish with a few interviews.
The deadline for application is June 15th each year.
Interested in learning more about the program? Fill in your information below, and we will reach out to you.
Americorp Program
Engaging in Audacious Hope
NEWS
Seeds of Service: From AICSN to ACE Teaching Fellows
Farrell Moorehead served on the Pine Ridge Reservation through the Maȟpíya Lúta Volunteer Program, deepening her passion for faith and education. Now, she’s continuing her journey as an ACE Teaching Fellow in Baltimore.
Notre Dame Graduates Teaching on the Pine Ridge Reservation
Annika Coberly (’23) and Emily Healy (’22) are Notre Dame grads teaching middle school language arts on the Pine Ridge Reservation through the Maȟpíya Lúta Volunteer Program.
The Volunteers
Nicki Mabry
OLL 1st Year Volunteer
School Nurse
Nicki Mabry
Originally from St. Louis, MO, Nicki graduated from Xavier University this past spring with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Mike Stautz
OLL 1st Year Volunteer
5th-8th Math Teacher
Mike Stautz
Mike is from Texas and graduated from Notre Dame this spring. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
Kayle Lauck
OLL 1st Year Volunteer
5th-8th Science Teacher
Kayle Lauck
Kayle is originally from Salem, SD and recently graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Political Science. Kayle got married to her husband, Isaac, over the summer in Sioux Falls. She enjoys reading, travelling, spending time with her husband and friends, and cheering on the Fighting Irish!
Madison Poljan
RCHS 3rd Year Volunteer
Chemistry and Biology Teacher
Madison Poljan
Originally from Austin, Texas, Madison graduated from Trinity University, where she double majored in Biology and International Studies. She then joined Jesuit Volunteer Corps where she worked as a Community Health Program Specialist in New York. She started at Mahpiya Luta in 2023, and has loved it ever since. She is also in Magis Catholic Teacher Corps. She does the AISES trip in the Fall and the play in the Spring.
Amy Wenzel
RCHS 2nd Year Volunteer
English Teacher
Amy Wenzel
Originally from Belleville, IL (STL area), they graduated from Creighton University in 2024 majoring in English with a double minor in film studies and studio art. This is Amy’s 2nd year in the Volunteer Program and the Magis Catholic Teacher Corps. They teach high school English, specifically American Literature, English IV, Research and Technical Writing, and Film Class. For ASPs, they help coach volleyball and co-direct the Spring Play with Madison.
Francis Purcell
RCMS 2nd Year Volunteer
Social Studies Teacher
Francis Purcell
Francis is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is volunteering through Creighton University’s MAGIS Catholic Teacher Master’s program. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Spring Hill College, located in Mobile, Alabama. While there, he was the Senior Class President and competed as a Division ll track athlete. He also took pictures for the school’s official social media pages and multiple off-campus events. One of his volunteer pastimes is hiking all over South Dakota.
Kevin Ruano
RCHS 2nd Year Volunteer
Social Studies Teacher
Kevin Ruano
Kevin was a volunteer here before during the pandemic. Since then he got a Master’s Degree in Education from UPenn.
Luke Knowles
RCHS 1st Year Volunteer
English and Anatomy
Luke Knowles
Luke grew up in Maine and graduated from Marquette University, majoring in English Literature.
Clara Kuhlman
RCMS 2nd Year Volunteer
Art Teacher
Clara Kuhlman
Clara is from the suburbs of Chicago, IL. She graduated from DePaul University in Chicago with a BFA in Animation and a Minor in Illustration in June 2024. While there, she grew a lot in her Catholic faith, especially with her work in campus ministry, where she led retreats and a women’s group. Clara is passionate about drawing and storytelling, but also enjoys most types of creativity, including writing, collaging, baking, and other hands-on activities and crafts. She enjoys being outside, and here in South Dakota, she enjoys exploring the natural beauty outdoors with her community members or on her own.
Conner Dvorak
RCHS 1st Year Volunteer
Computer Science and Math Teacher
Conner Dvorak
Conner is from Omaha, NE. He graduated from Creighton University majoring in Business Administration.
Marie Amelse
RCHS 1st Year Volunteer
Social Studies Teacher
Marie Amelse
Marie grew up outside of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. She graduated from Creighton University with a Bachelor’s degree in History.
Flannery Fangman
RCMS 1st Year Volunteer
ELA Teacher
Flannery Fangman
Flannery is a first year volunteer from South Bend, IN. She graduated from Notre Dame University with a degree in Psychology and Theology.
Megan Fulton
OLL 2nd Year Volunteer
Admin Assistant and Spiritual Formation
Megan Fulton
Megan is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in Nursing and worked in Chicago as a Labor and Delivery nurse before coming to Pine Ridge.
Grace Sherban
OLL 1st Year Volunteer
5th-8th ELA Teacher
Grace Sherban
Grace grew up outside of Cleveland, OH. She attended John Carroll University majoring in Communications and English.