Located ten miles east of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, where the Rocky Mountains meet the expansive Plains of middle North America, the Blackfeet Reservation is home to the Blackfeet American Indians. The Blackfeet, once the proud and fierce “Lords of the Plains,” now suffer from high rates of unemployment, dropout rates in schools, drug and alcohol abuse, and domestic violence. The Lasallians have developed a program OKI-NI-SOO-KA-WA (Blackfeet for Come and See) that hosts youth groups from all over the United States each year.
Each group examines the present culture and history of the Blackfeet American Indians. Faith, Community, Service Learning and Social Justice are the foundation of the program. Each group tours cultural sites, discusses related topics with Blackfeet Elders and leaders, and shares their hopes and dreams with DLSB’s students in addition to offering tutoring.