As a new school year begins, Maȟpíya Lúta Owáyawa is excited to welcome seven volunteers who have committed to serving alongside our students, staff, and community during the 2026–2027 academic year.
This year’s volunteer cohort includes returning volunteers Marie, Luke, and Clara, as well as new volunteers Elliot, Matthew, Cora, and Olivia. Together, they bring a willingness to learn, serve, and build meaningful relationships while supporting nearly 500 Lakota students across our schools.
For decades, the Maȟpíya Lúta Volunteer Program has invited college graduates from across the country to spend a year—or more—in service on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Volunteers serve in a variety of roles, from classrooms and student support to extracurricular activities, while living together in intentional community grounded in the program’s core values of Community, Spirituality, Simplicity, and Justice.
The volunteer experience reaches far beyond the classroom. Throughout the year, volunteers have opportunities to engage with the Lakota community through cultural events, language learning, faith communities, and everyday life on the reservation, fostering relationships built on respect, learning, and intercultural solidarity.
In the video below, hear from Volunteer Coordinator Scott Fox and new volunteers Matthew and Elliot as they share what they’re looking forward to during the year ahead. We are grateful for each volunteer’s commitment and look forward to the impact they will make in our schools and community.