Alliance for Catholic Education
Journeying to Indiana from as far away as New Mexico and Montana, 49 Native American middle-schoolers were warmly welcomed onto the campus at the University of Notre Dame. The Alliance for Catholic Education’s American Indian Catholic Schools Network (AICSN), hosted them at their annual April pilgrimage, made possible thanks to the generous support of Deacon Gary and Barbara Pasquinelli.
The Pilgrimage Experience
The tri-campus community of Notre Dame, St. Mary’s, and Holy Cross, is an ideal setting for middle schoolers to celebrate their achievements, connect with fellow Indigenous peers, and think about their pathways around college and vocation.
The pilgrimage included a presentation on the history of the Pokagon and Notre Dame, a visit to Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, simulated college classes, a conversation about Native American representation and visual sovereignty, and a tour of the campuses and Raclin Murphy Museum of Art.
The pilgrimage provided meaningful opportunities for students to:
- Reflect on their identity + meet Indigenous students from different tribal nations
- Develop their faith
- Learn about college access
Most of AICSN’s work involves bringing educators together for formation and building community. “What is so cool about this pilgrimage is that it's the one time every year we facilitate an event where students from across the country are able to learn together and grow in community,” said Will Newkirk, Director of AICSN, “Hopefully they leave feeling proud of themselves and their community, rooted in solidarity with fellow students from Native communities across the country, and inspired about the opportunities ahead that can play a role in all the good they will achieve.”
Emily Keyope, an eighth grade student at Saint Joseph Mission School in San Fidel, New Mexico, Acoma Pueblo, reflected on the pilgrimage and her positive experience on campus. “One day I want to go to Notre Dame. This allowed me to see the school and understand it more. It was also a great opportunity to meet other kids from other Catholic schools and make bonds.”
“The pilgrimage is such an important experience as it gives our students a taste of college and a goal to strive for as they are getting ready to embark on their high school years,” said Kelly Hernandez, the seventh and eighth grade teacher at Saint Augustine Indian Mission School in Winnebago, Nebraska, “We had a great time!”
Impact and Growth
Each year, program leaders carefully listen to the needs and desires of students and educators in AICSN schools. By extending the length of the pilgrimage and offering virtual calls in advance of their time together on Notre Dame's campus, they’ve been able to offer a more impactful and vibrant pilgrimage experience and the attendance numbers reflect that dedication.
“It has been incredibly gratifying to see an increasing number of schools and students engage in the AICSN Middle School Pilgrimage, “ said Collin Gortner, Associate Program Director. “With a greater number of participating students and schools, AICSN can better serve as a hub of cultural exchange between the tribal communities we partner with and the broader Notre Dame community. At Notre Dame, we have a lot to learn from these Native communities about Indigenous brilliance, perseverance, culture, and so much more. Similarly, I hope that students, staff, and faculty here at Notre Dame can share their assets--particularly regarding college access--with AICSN students.”
The pilgrimage began in 2023 with two schools and 22 students. The following year, four schools and 30 students participated. And this year, eight member schools were represented by 49 students, making it the most well attended AICSN pilgrimage to date.
The Following Schools and Tribal Nations Were Represented:
- De La Salle Blackfeet School - Browning, Montana - Blackfeet (Amskapi Pikuni)
- Mahpiya Luta Owayawa - Pine Ridge, South Dakota - Oglala Sioux
- St. Anthony Indian School - Zuni, New Mexico - Zuni
- St. Augustine Indian Mission School - Winnebago, Nebraska - Ho-Chunk and Omaha
- St. Charles Apache School - San Carlos, Arizona - Apache
- St. Joseph's Mission School - San Fidel, New Mexico - Acoma Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo, Navajo, Hopi
- St. Mary's Mission School - Red Lake, Minnesota - Red Lake Nation (Ojibwe)
- Winyan Wakan Owayawa - Porcupine, South Dakota - Oglala Sioux
Newkirk shared, “We always say in AICSN our best days are when we are together, and this Pilgrimage and the community bonding which took place really have been the best.” AICSN is a program within the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) at the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Educational Initiatives (IEI).