LAKOTA P RAY ER (The literal translation of the word that begins this prayer, Tunkasila, is: since the beginning of time you are my relative who is dear to me.) Tunkasila, grandfather god, thank you for this day, thank you for life, thank you for this opportunity to gather together in a purposeful way as we celebrate the new academic year. Tunkasila, I pray that you grant us generous hearts and minds and spirits to guide us in all the work we do with our students. Tunkasila, I pray you grant us the fortitude to persevere through life’s challenges, big and small, so that we may be engaged and dedicated members of the Saint Michael’s College community. I pray, Tunkasila, that your love and light and compassion can shine upon us this school year. Mitakuye Oyasin (Mitakuye Oyasin is used at the end of Lakota prayers. It means all my relatives.) Invocation by Associate Professor Jerald Swope for the 2015 Academic Convocation. Professor Swope lived and worked on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota with the Oglala Lakota People before coming to Saint Michael’s.
A RAIN BOW EM ERG ES AFTER AN EARL I ER
MORN IN G ST ORM I N P ORCUP I N E, S. D . , O N T H E P I N E RIDGE RES ER VATI ON .
PHOTO BY J ERAL D SW OP E