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. Also, we are paired with AmeriCorps, which provides volunteers with student loan deferments and an education award after each year of service.
The volunteer year of services starts with volunteer orientation in mid-July and ends with the volunteer end-of-year retreat in late May.
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 and the AmeriCorps Application). Then we finish with a few interviews.
The deadline for application is June 15th each year.
Engaging in Audacious Hope
NEWS
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
Madison Poljan
RCHS 2nd Year Volunteer
Chemistry and Biology Teacher
Madison Poljan
Madison Poljan is a second year volunteer at Mahpiya Luta Owayawa, and she loves it! Originally from Austin, Texas, Madison joined the volunteer program in the Fall of 2023. Before joining the volunteer program she spent a year in the Bronx as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. In 2022, Madison graduated from Trinity University, where she double majored in Biology and International Studies. Last year she taught chemistry in the highschool and co-directed the high school play, which she plans to do again this spring. This year she has joined the MAGIS program and will continue her great work in the high school science department by teaching chemistry and biology and sponsoring the high school chapter of AISES (American Indian Science & Engineering Society). Some of her hobbies include: creative writing, reading, video games, and dance.
Amy Wenzel
RCHS 1st Year Volunteer
English Teacher
Amy Wenzel
A first year volunteer through Creighton’s MAGIS Master’s program, Amy Wenzel is currently teaching American Literature and AP Literature at Mahpiya Luta Owayawa. 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. Moving to Pine Ridge has situated Amy as the geographically furthest of their 4 siblings, whom they keep in touch with by sharing pet photos of their three cats. They are also a lover of film and an amateur poet and hope to instill a speck of enjoyment for English in their students. During their free time, Amy can be found playing video games, Dungeons and Dragons (or video game versions of Dungeons and Dragons), reading, writing, and overall recovering from whatever new illness their body decided to cook up this time.
Francis Purcell
RCMS 1st Year Volunteer
Social Studies Teacher
Francis Purcell
Francis is from Philadelphia Pennsylvania and volunteering through Creighton University’s MAGIS Catholic Teacher Master’s program. He obtained his Undergraduate Degree from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. On Sundays, Francis can be found cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. He loves to swim and bike and is known for taking very long walks. Francis loves to hike. He once led the volunteer crew on an excruciatingly long hike up Storm Mountain where the trails were not used even once.
Farrell Moorehead
RCMS 1st Year Volunteer
5th Grade Teacher
Farrell Moorehead
Farrell is a first year volunteer from Jackson, Mississippi. She graduated in May from the University of Dayton in Ohio, where she earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Urban Teaching. She is the middle child of five siblings and in her free time enjoys spending time with family, traveling, sports, being outside, and listening to music.
Devin Klein
RCMS 1st Year Volunteer
English Teacher
Devin Klein
Devin is a first year volunteer from Maple Grove, Minnesota. He graduated from Boston College in May with a degree in Economics. He is a middle child, with an older brother, older step-sister, and a younger sister. In his free time, Devin loves to be outdoors with his family. In the summer, he spends time on the lake in his backyard, and in the winter, he loves to downhill ski. This year, he will be the Middle School ELA teacher and will also be helping out with some of the middle school sports teams, starting with football in the fall.
Clara Kuhlman
RCMS 1st Year Volunteer
Art Teacher
Clara Kuhlman
Clara is from the suburbs of Chicago, IL. She recently 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.
John Zulewski
OLL 3rd Year Volunteer
Upper Elementary Math Teacher
John Zulewski
John is a returning volunteer at OLL for a third year. He is originally from Buffalo, New York and graduated from Boston College in 2022 with a BA in Computer Science and a minor in English. At Boston College, John was active in a student-led organization that works on social issues in the greater Boston area through experiential learning, service, and conversations. In his free time, he also enjoys creative writing, computer science, and history.
Annika Coberly
OLL 2nd Year Volunteer
Upper Elementary English Language Arts Teacher
Annika Coberly
Annika is from the small town of Upton, Wyoming. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame in the spring of 2023, majoring in Irish Language & Literature and Pre-Health Studies. While there, she was a member of the marching band. In her free time last year, Annika was studying for the MCAT. This year she is applying for medical school. Apart from medicine, Annika’s interests include science, learning new languages, hiking, baking, and reading.
Nicholas Leslie
OLL 1st Year Volunteer
Upper Elementary Social Studies Teacher
Nicholas Leslie
Nicholas grew up in Southern Ohio, and graduated from Holy Cross College in Indiana, this past May. While there he majored in History, and had the opportunity to study abroad in England. When he’s satiating his thirst for knowledge of history he can be found listening to and or making music. He is learning both the harmonica and the guitar. He also enjoys Karate, going for walks, and bike riding.
Megan Fulton
OLL 1st Year Volunteer
School Nurse and Activities Coordinator
Megan Fulton
Megan is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but spent the past six years living in Chicago. She graduated from Loyola, and spent the last few years working as a labor and delivery nurse before moving to South Dakota. When Megan is not nursing she enjoys playing or watching just about any sport, reading and running.
Devyn Casey
OLL 1st Year Volunteer
Lower Elementary Literacy Teacher
Devyn Casey
Devyn is from Wilton, CT and is the oldest of four. In May, Devyn graduated from Boston College with a degree in Elementary Education. She is passionate about working with young students, specifically in the special education field. In her free time, Devyn likes to run, start but never finish crossword puzzles, and play pranks.