Wakanyeja ki Tokeyahci Enters its Sixth Year, Now Serving K-5!
August marked the fifth anniversary of the opening of Wakanyeja Tokeyahci Wounspe Tipi — Children’s First Learning Center. Things looked a lot different back then. For one, we were in the midst of the COVID pandemic and the school launched fully online. When students did finally come into the classroom, we were operating out of a shared space with the Boys and Girls Club.
Fast forward to today, and it’s honestly hard to believe how far Sage and his staff have brought the school in just a few years. WT now has its own school building — though we’re quickly running out of space again. Enrollment for the 2025-26 school years sits at exactly 50 students, serving grades K-5.
On August 18th, students returned to the classroom and were greeted with bright-eyed staff, a fresh-cooked breakfast, and song and dance.
Here’s the full video with more information on a typical day at the school:
Successful Backpack Drive
It wasn’t just Wakanyeja Tokeyahci that celebrated the start of a new school year. Students across Rosebud are back in school — many of them with new backpacks and school supplies!
Thank you to everyone who supported our backpack drive! Because of your generous donations, we handed out 300 backpacks filled with notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers, pencil sharpeners, crayons, colored pencils erasers, scissors, glue, and tooth brushes and tooth paste.
A big shout out to our staff at Sicangu Co who led this backpack drive and made it possible! Thanks to a great team effort, so many of our little takojas were able to start their school year with confidence!! 💪 ⚡
Join us at these upcoming events
📅 September 24 – Fourth Annual Sicangu Harvest Market & Fall Bash
Join us as we close out the season with our biggest market of the year! The Harvest Market & Fall Bash is a community favorite, featuring fresh local produce, handcrafted goods, and plenty of family-friendly fun. From festive games to delicious food, there’s something for everyone. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for the full schedule and special announcements!
📅 October 12 – Sicangu Food Summit
Spend Indigenous Peoples’ Day with us as we gather for the Sicangu Food Summit, a day dedicated to learning, conversation, and action around building a stronger local food system. This free, all-ages event will include engaging sessions, interactive activities, and opportunities to connect with others who share a passion for food sovereignty and community wellness.
Welcome to The Tiospaye — our our monthly giving club! Monthly donations sustain our work and ensure we have a long term impact. Learn more about the benefits that come with being a member of The Tiospaye and schedule your recurring gift below.
