Honor Your Ancestors and “Rock Your Mocs”

(Chamberlain, S.D.) –During the week of November 16, St. Joseph’s Indian School 4-6^th grade students and Native Hope are participating in this year’s national Rock Your Mocs event. This annual event creates a positive cultural experience that promotes unity and celebration of tribal individuality by wearing moccasins.

Established in 2011, The Rock Your Mocs event continues to gain national attention as more and more youth have put on their moccasins with pride and great honor. This event strives to teach youth about the importance of remembering their ancestors and how they can honor them in the way they live their lives.

The event kicked off on Monday, November 16, with a cultural lesson plan that encouraged students to think about the ancestors in their lives and encourage them to live in a way that makes them proud. Students also received “Rock your Mocs” turquoise awareness ribbons to honor ancestors and indigenous people worldwide.

Respect in Lakota is “waóhola” which means respect for self, higher power, family, community and all life. This is one of the seven Lakota values and a core value emphasized in the Circle of Courage®, a model of positive youth development based on traditional tribal values that students at St. Joseph’s Indian School follow. Through this event and many others on campus, students are able to experience lessons that show respect for their ancestors and reflect on ancestral wisdom.

You can participate in this national event by using the hashtag #ROCKYOURMOCS and posting your photo to your Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram etc.).   

More Than 220 Native American students in first through twelfth grade find hope and opportunity through our educational, counseling, and residential programs. Strengthened by spirituality and culture, St. Joseph’s Indian School transforms lives—mind, body, heart and spirit—every day. Visit us at www.sjiskids.org and www.stjo.org.