St Labre Indian School Educational Association

Love this school and all the good they do for the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Communities! Praying these kids continue to be Proud, Prosperous and Free!!!!!!!!

Love helping the students of St. Labre and the surrounding communities!!! Their thank you gifts are greatly appreciated and lovely.

Love being a part of this mission for the Northern Cheyenne and Crow people.

St Labre is truly incredible. The quality education they are providing Native American students honors their culture and history, while also preparing them for their futures. The dedicated sense of community and caring, including all the teachers and staff, students and families -- it's such a special place. And I feel very lucky to know and work with some of the staff. Thank you, St Labre, for all you do!

I have visited St. Labre Indian School over the last 11 years and every time I'm on the campus it makes me feel good. Seeing the smiles on the kids faces and hearing their laughter is wonderful. It is evident the teachers care so much for the boys and girls.
My heart is heavy for the communities St. Labre serves because they have struggled in generational poverty for too long. I believe our government created the problem. The good news is St. Labre's mission is to help break that cycle of poverty by empowering the current/future generations of boys and girls who attend St. Labre.
What I like most is that St. Labre is so much more than school - whatever a child may be facing - hunger, homelessness, a need for clothing/shoes, struggling with learning, St. Labre offers a vast array of other services/resources to nurture the whole child, including their culture.
We're called to be the hands and feet of Jesus to help the poor, widowed and orphaned. St. Labre is at the epicenter of the communities in which they serve and they need our support to continue to do the good work they do because they are almost fully donor supported.

I once applied for a teaching position at St Labre, and while I did not pursue the position I did learn a great deal about the dedication of the St Labre Staff and faculty to their student charges. I have enjoyed short interactions with some of the St Labre students as part of the fundraising activities of the school. Having that kind of contact and personal recounts of the beneficiaries of the gifts is unusual but effective and far more conducive to raising funds as compared to the rather impersonal letters and emails I receive asking for money. I do believe from what I have experienced that St Labre's mission is sincerely focused on giving the necessary intellectual skills the children need without dismantling the necessary relationships to the child's tribal culture and needs. Remarkable

I used to donate to this school until I found out how much money they spend on advertising. Think of that $170,000,000 a year they spend on advertising instead of the school. I am wondering what is paid out in salaries since they do not disclose any financial information on that. Those that refuse to make that information public are suspect to me, and they should be to you too. I found out they are run by Catholics, so how much of that money goes to the diocese? Catholics are not considered Christian by mainstream Christians. There are too many stories of what Priests and nuns do to children. Also how many graves are out there from children the Catholics killed that they took from Indian tribes. I no longer support them and am now sorry I ever did.

A very nice Capuchin Franciscan priest who ministers at two of the St. Labre schools told me that there is a lot of poverty, domestic abuse, alcoholism and drugs on the Indian reservation. I have read the reviews about the school. So, even if the school has to send out a lot of mailings, I'll still donate. Because anything we can do to prevent children from falling into more poverty, and all the ills that go along with poverty, is worth the effort. One of my ex-housemates knows someone who volunteered at the school through something like Americorp, said the children were heartbroken if a crayon broke. Or, they were bug-eyed if they received a box of Crayola markers. I'm searching for inexpensive sites so I can mail crayons or markers for the children.

I visited St. Labre on a trip to Montana in 2018. It was on a Saturday so the students and staff were gone. But an employee working that weekend saw us driving through the campus and offered us an unofficial tour. He was a student at St. Labre, went into the military and came back to Ashland to work at the school. He said the school gives real help to children who would otherwise be trapped in poverty and drug abuse. The majority of graduates attend college, nursing and trade schools or go into the military.
The campus is clean and well maintained and the students are encouraged to learn about and keep their tribal traditions. I was impressed with the campus and this gentleman’s passion for what the school is accomplishing.

I do not and will not donate to this organization. Their relentless mailing of stuff, cards, paper wrap, and trinkets is rediculas! I have asked over and over to off their mailing list and "nothing"
This is something between just begging and exploitation.

It makes my heart so thankful that I can donate each month to these deserving children. I love the copies if their school work .
And above all the smiles on the faces of the children . All I can say is I love them . I keep a picture of them on my refrigerator , it reminds me to pray for them . Love Linda Mannix

Isalúutshíile — “Yellow Arrows” — the executive director of this “school” — has refused to respond to my request that he take my name off of his list of suckers. I made the mistake of donating to his school before I checked it out on Wikipedia and saw that members of the Northern Cheyenne tribe have sued him for raking in the millions in the name of the tribe while serving very few of them. I imagine that even Benoît-Joseph Labre, the school’s namesake,who was homeless and earned his living by begging, would be appalled by such goings-on.

Do not repeat my mistake. Do not donate to this bloodsucker. Burn his letters, or shred them.

Native American children and their elders hold the promise of the future of their tribal members and many others. A solid education provided in a safe and secure environment is becoming harder and harder to find in the US and, indeed, in much of the world. The academic success of any child opens doors into a remarkable future and from what I read and see from all the success stories and the smiles on these children's faces their education is accompanied with the care and love all children deserve from birth.

Great school. Nice people; terrific kids! We will continue to support, as long as we are still alive.

I received a St. Labre holiday card from my old auntie so I looked into the history of the school. It was a boarding school for Indian children to help destroy their identity and culture. They also settled a lawsuit in 2015 with the Northern Cheyenne for raising millions of dollars each year to help the impoverished alcohol and drug addicted Indians ( conditions they helped create in the first place). Little or none of the money went to the tribe. Do not give them any more $$!

Beautiful souls and Spirits! May God be glorious! Thank you for allowing me the privilege to be a donor!

I love helping St. Labre Indian School. I know the statistics of adults on the reservation and what their life could be like without hope of a way to better themselves. I'm happy that I can help in a small way.

I came go to take care of my elderly (80) dad after heart surgery. The amount of cheap Chinese junk these predatory gr$fters have sent him is mind boggling. This is the worst case of a so-called charity using poverty p$rn that I have ever encountered. It appears as though they sold his address to a bunch of equally fraudulent elder targeting scam/charities as well. I called them, gave them a piece of my mind and demanded that they take him off their list. They said it will take 90 days. We shall see. I am going to start sending the prepaid envelops back to them with nasty messages so that they have to pay postage because, yes, I am that petty.

I am a member of the Oneida Tribe and I have supported the work of St. Labre several times. I find the work that they do worthwhile and worthy of support. Anything that we can do to assist Indian youth today is important and I intend to continue supporting this organization - GOOD WORK!

This organization does amazing things for the Indian children. The staff are pleasant and truly love their work. These children deserve a bright future and the staff really works hard to make that a reality.

My dual position allows me to work closely with the students and staff of St. Labre Indian School on a daily basis as well as assisting in the Donor Relations department. Every day I see smiles on everyone's faces. No matter the challenges of day-to-day life on a rural reservation, we always find love wins by the end of each day.

St. Labre attracts the very best paid staff and non-compensated volunteers from all over the country as well as locally. We all share a common goal: To be a part of the miracle that has been sustained in this community for over 137 years of providing a first class education in a rural reservation community. It doesn't take more than a few minutes for these children to root themselves in your heart. Some of our staff and volunteers come for just a year and move on; many others stay for several years. We have some staff who have traveled from other countries to be part of the miracle here.

As well as serving students and staff I also work in our Donor Relations department where I meet with donors every day. I listen to how the children's lives affect them on a daily basis, even thousands of miles away. Many of them post photos of the kids on their fridges, right next to the grandchildren. Some of them claim that our blankets that we give away as courtesy gifts for donations carry the blessing of the children and help them to feel calm and peaceful.

Our children here symbolize hope, faith, and love. When our donors give to St. Labre they are investing in these values as well as providing these children a school they can be proud of, nutritious food to eat, affordable clothing and housing supplies, and much more.

One day we all hope to see these kids thrive in such a way that the whole reservation is lifted into a first world experience.

Our staff and volunteers live inside of this modest rural life experience, also. Donors need not worry about their precious resources being drained by staff and administrative costs. The school provides public audited financial reports so that every dollar is accounted for.

While not perfect and not everyone will agree, St. Labre is truly making these students happy. I get to witness this, myself, every day.

I, like most of the staff I know, am here at St. Labre because our Creator inspired me to come here. It's a beautiful place to be!

I continue receiving regular mail from this non-profit every week. I have never heard from this organization nor donated to them. I send an email asking them to stop the un-requested regular mail, as it is a waste of paper that ends up in the ground, instead, they could send me an email. Regardless, they continue with the wasteful practice of sending mailers to my address. I will always question an organization that spends money on all those mailers with little gifts instead of investing it in their cause.

I taught at this school in the 1980's and have seen its continued progress in combining an excellent education with cultural sensitivity for the Northern Cheyenne and Crow students. These schools are located in remote, rural areas of Montana and provide a free education to nearly 100% Native children. Unlike groups that have wealthy large donors, this charity relies on many ordinary people giving smaller sums of money. This means they spend more in mailings than some groups in order to make their budgets. No institution is perfect, but St. Labre is doing a great job serving often forgotten people. I am proud to serve as a volunteer board member.

I am honored to serve St. Labre as a board member. Throughout the years of volunteering for the school system, I have learned three critical components of education excellence. They are:
1) If we want to break the cycle of poverty, provide the best education possible.
2) The best education relies on loving parents working with dedicated teachers
3) The best education must include an awareness of the local cultural and a commitment to preserve it.
St. Labre lives these 3 values. The good people working here are life-long educators dedicated to providing the best education possible for the parents and children who choose to attend. It is a pleasure to work with and among women and men who live a mission-driven life to provide a better future for the next generation.

love how the ppl. at the reservation care for & help all the children there i send what i can when i can to help. hope other ppl help when ever they can

I have been involved with St. Labre for over 20 years, working in the development department, as a substitute teacher, and as a parent whose child graduated from St. Labre.

St. Labre goes above and beyond for all the children. Especially the graduates. They provided a scholarship that helped my daughter attend college.

I believe St. Labre has a caring impact on the students, staff, community, and surrounding areas. I am glad to be a part of the St. Labre team.

I have been involved with St. Labre for at least 27 years. From kindergarten to high school to becoming an employee for 6 years. St. Labre has impacted so many students' lives, whether it be nutritional meals, a great education, scholarships, community outreach, a food pantry, a group home for children with no homes, and many more.

St. Labre provides an exceptional education at no cost to the Northern Cheyenne and Crow children. They also provide some scholarship opportunities for the children to further their education at the college of their choice.

As a former student, now employee of 10 years, I was able to utilize my educational opportunities that were provided by St. Labre to get my Bachelor's degree and come back to help provide that same service to our future St. Labre alumni.

St. Labre also offers healthy, nurishing meals to the students at no cost throughout the week as well as providing food packets on the weekends for the children who suffer from food insecurity. As a former Food Service Director for St. Labre, I was able to help provide these meals and see the positive impact that it has on our students.

St. Labre also provides services such as food pantry, utility assistance, medical assistance, and funeral assistance for the surrounding community members as well. They also host community events such as Easter egg hunts, Christmas stockings for the children, bike rodeo to promote bike safety, a 5K run/walk to promote health and wellness, and providing school supplies at the beginning of the year. St. Labre also has a group home for a small number of Indian children that do not have parents or a home where they can thrive and become successful adults. There is also a daycare for employees children and some community members where services are provided at a low cost. St. Labre also has a thrift store where students or community members who need clothing or small household items can get them either free or at a very low cost.

The ability to help the Crow and Northern Cheyenne children is a blessing. My own heritage is Irish Scots and Mohawk.
Along with an education, living and food arrangements on site, the children are given HOPE along with pride in their heritage, which is so important their deep being.
Please know I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

St. Labre is an essential and influential educational organization committed to their students and their futures.

As a donor, I know that each dollar donated goes to furthering the nonprofits mission to create a campus and community where an exceptional education is delivered alongside Native American culture and tradition. Their efforts are vital to ensure Native American languages, history ,and more are integrated with their educational programs.

St. Labre is a fantastic organization and has helped countless kids throughout the years.

It is nonprofit organizations like St. Labre that really make a difference in the world. Giving to an organization that furthers children's educations is something so special. I can't say enough good things!

We love the work that St Labre Indian School is doing with Native American children. Education is critical to creating opportunities for future generations. We're happy to help them!

I love St Labre. They are genuinely dedicated to helping these children get a quality education. And you have to appreciate the challenges involved. St Labre is the example of what a servant's heart can accomplish in this world. God bless them and their work with these deserving children.

St. Labre is making an incredible impact in the American Indian community. They’re providing an outstanding education and many incredible resources, both essential and non essential, to American Indian children.

I love this organization. They celebrate the Catholic faith while embracing the Native American cultures of their students, giving them a chance to rise above poverty and make the best lives for themselves. The high school graduation rate for the entire state of Montana is 82% and the high school graduation rate for Native Americans in the state of Montana is 62%. However, the high school graduation rate at St. Labre is 93%. This indicates to me that they are doing something right! Also, I have read many stories from St. Labre graduates who speak very highly of their experience there, and credit their success in life to the education they received at this school.

This is a great organization that I trust and am proud to support.

Very good people, doing good things. Period. I am very impressed.

Another scam preying on the elderly! My mother has donated to them in the past, she donated recently $100.00 in hopes of receiving their Indian blanket that they promised. They said they never received her money order...Sure they didn't but they always received her money in times past, now that they need to stand behind their promise, all of a sudden....oh we never received her money. This is another scam, and I have told her as much. She will no longer be donating to such B.S. I will report them to the BBB.
If I could give less than one star I would!! People out there wisen up this organization is a fraud!!

I first learned about St LaBre school when I was a student nurse 59 years ago. One of my first patients told me about this school in Ashland Montana. The school needed donations to educate and feed needy native american children.
I had little money, but I was compelled to help the school
In a small way. I sent them a small donation, and have continued to donate over the past 59 years. Please donate whatever you can.

My entire life my Grandmother supported St Labre. I still have some of the gifts the children used to send her. St. Labre will always be so close to my heart

There are charities that prey on the elderly like vultures. St. Labre Indian School is one of them. My late elderly cousin used to donate to them. I handled all of her mail after her death. I replied back to their mail to remove her name from the mailing list. We still get mail from them. They are probably hoping that one of us will take over. That isn’t going to happen.
That small donation that my cousin was sending isn’t enough for them. Now they are preying on people trying to get this organization in their will. They don’t have to worry about getting money from my cousin because her immediate family got everything and have no intention of ever giving them a penny. They tried to tap into our money.
Picture this because it must be happening. Think of a grandparent that wants to leave their grandchild money so they can get a college education. As the grandparent ages, they get dementia. On the St. Labre’s donation card, there is a box to check to put them in that grandparent’s will. When the grandparent passes away, the poor grandchild doesn’t get anything because the grandparent changed their will so St. Labre will get the money instead.
If you want to donate and help someone, do it with somebody locally. If someone really is starving, throw them some money. They aren’t going to try to tap into your family’s wealth.

Prior to St. Labre removing their full financial statement from the website, their statement for 2018 showed an amount in excess of $170,000,00.00 in reserve funds. They no longer provide full financial transparency and that concerns me greatly. We used to donate to this organization for some time but ceased. They spend in excess of $20,000,000.00 annually in fundraising activities. For a non profit to spend such an amount on fundraising certainly presents a question to the validity of this 501 c 3 non profit. We still receive numerous mailings with pens, pads, card, and many other things requesting donations. Before you donate check out all financials first.

Great organization doing great work for Native American children. I have seen the impact the school is able to have on the children and the difference education makes.

Amazing organization! Doing great things, providing a well-rounded experience and education to raise up the next generation!

So many hearts and lives impacted by this organization! Theirs is a mission that is fueled by a tireless determination and obedience to protect lives in need. I thank St. Labre Indian School, its leaders, teachers, elders, volunteers and supporters for carrying the light of Christ to so many young lives and families in Montana! Your reach travels far beyond that region, as many wonderful Native American students graduate and take steps that impact this world, for the better. God's continued Blessings over all who play a part in this mission!
GS

I first started giving to St. Labre Indian School back in the 1980s.
I actually flew on to the school property back in 1990 in a homebuilt Spezio 2holer aircraft.
I went to the museum and walked around the area. I think they are doing a commendable job of assisting the local kids with education and housing.
I gladly donate (perhaps partly to assuage my guilt for all the truly horrible things our government has done to the original caretakers of this land.)
Jim Franklin, Meridian, Idaho

I learned of this non-profit St. Labre in Montana. I have researched their website to learn.
I must admit shamefully I never thought of one solely for our American Indians and I’m sure many others should be ashamed as well.
I am working to create a plan for my community in Marion Illinois to establish various avenues of regular support with St. Labre Indian School in Ashland Montana 59004.
St Labre provides a full spectrum support for the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian includes education kindergarten through high school accredited with Montana State Office of Public Education. Children who live farther than 40 miles Dorms are provided. Bus routes begin 5:20 am and concludes 8:00 pm a 105 mile round trip requiring 1000 gallons of fuel per week

You can easily research St Labre Indian School by going to www.stlabre.org. Telephone 866-753-5496, 406-784-4904. Executive Director Curtis Yarlott e-mail ed@stlabre.org.
Thank you for your time reading my comments

Every time a write a simple check I feel I am donating to a very good and proper non profit
organization .
It all lies in the values they teach and uphold, specifically with their student s and the school itself. I never ask for anything in return but its a good feeling when I
receive pictures, stories and thank you notes form the students/children that truly come from the heart with sincerity. In addition I love the picture of the blanket many receive as a thank you for their continued support . I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO RECEIVING MINE!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ALL !

My father in law recently passed away, and his mail was forwarded to our home. We started receiving solicitations addressed to him from the St. Labre School almost immediately. They were always accompanied by gifts such as wrapping paper, dream catchers, address labels, greeting cards and the like. I had a "form letter" typed up to inform anybody of his death, and I began to return their solicitations (in their postage paid envelope) letting them know not to expect anything. The solicitations kept coming. I called the 800 number twice and had his name removed from their mailing lists. Both times I was told that they printed up their mailings in advance, and in about 6 weeks the letters would stop. They keep coming. I have to wonder how serious they are about helping the poor Indian kids when they spend a lot of cash mailing gifts to dead people. All of the other charities I contacted thanked me and the letters stopped. Not the Labre School. . .

A few years ago I was invited to a breakfast on Chicago"s Navy Pier. I was a guest of the school as well as 400 other donors. I met with school administrators, teachers, students and other donors. I came away feeling very happy . Knowing that I met people who really care about the children at St. Labre. Some folks feel that the school spends too much money on fund raising. What they do seems to work. So I say don't fix something that is not broken. If you know how to raise money for a lower cost...TELL the school about your knowledge in fund raising. Don't just complain fix it. The tribe that has filed a suit against the school for using it's name...REALLY! And would like a share of the money the school raised.. I say to the elders of the tribe. The school is not for profit. The school provides food and schooling and a place to sleep for many. So do you want to start omitting some food or will it be clothing that that the kids need. So that the tribes treasure can grow. Shame on you all. Taking in a child who has only a shirt , pants and shoes is what the school is all about. I wish all of us could do what the school is doing. I cannot do it so I send what dollars I can to st. Labre so they can do what I cannot do alone. Thank OUR LORD for ST. LABRE INDIAN SCHOOL.

I've been giving to St Labre for many years. I feel and always have that they're helping the terrible situation that is running rampant through the Indian nation. Time for the greedy chiefs to help their people instead of lining their own pockets. If I can help just one child become a better person then I'm all in!

This group sends relentless emails and now is calling my 90 yo father with Alzheimer's. I have called them many times, returned their solicitations with "NO" and "remove from mailing list" to no avail. Today I filed a complaint with the FTC. I urge you to do the same. They are a dishonest group.

Since 2010, I have donated to several Native American organizations, ones I believe are worthy of, and good stewards of, my financial assistance. But I am sure that some of those organizations have sold my name and address to other groups, such as St. Labre Indian School. While some of those groups may solicit donations once in awhile, St. Labre is relentless in constantly sending me requests, bordering on harassment. Many times I have sent back the request, asking to be removed from their list. But that does not work - I still get the requests. Since March 2016, when I started keeping track, I have received St. Labre mailings on 3/7/16, 6/1/16, 6/21/16, 7/5/16, 10/15/16, 11/15/16, 12/13/16, 2/25/17, 3/15/17, 4/5/17, 5/4/17 and today (5/17/17). I wonder why they waste their donors' money, sending out these constant requests. I have let the school know I have no intention of ever sending them a donation. Maybe they do good work, but all these mailings leave a very bad taste in my mouth. I gave one star, but really, they deserve no stars.

My wife initially was moved by what appeared to be "thank you" letters on elementary ruled paper and crayola crayon art. We realized these letters are manufactured and the surprise they weren't hand done made me suspicious. I started doing some research, and Give.org by the BBB says this charity has refused it's attempts to verify it's legitimacy. I was puzzled by the obvious amount and quality of the school's advertising dollars and wanted to know we are giving to a cause, not a for profit organization. I feel they should comply with Give.org to validate themselves, before we continue donations. There are MANY charities in need, so I feel due diligence is not unreasonable.

My father had dementia and they were one of many that sent multiple solicitations and he responded with multiple checks. He moved to a memory care facility and they insisted I send a copy of my POA to verify. They were not protecting donors, only their opportunity to solicit the vulnerable elderly with dementia. Every other charity I contacted offered sympathy for my father's dementia and gladly removed him from their list, but not this one. Now I stuff their mailings back in their business reply envelopes with the request to remove him. Let them pay twice for the mailings if they don't want to honor a simple request. Two years have passed, I still get the mailings and now my father is deceased. I made one last attempt to get him off the list so I don't get these reminders in the mail. I fully expect them to ask for a copy of the death certificate now.

I have been living here in Ashland for 16 years and I am an immigrant from Philippines. I have seen, how St. Labre cater to the needs of the Cheyenne and Crow kids wonderfully. St. Labre provides good education and provides healthy meals breakfast and lunch and snacks for the students. Besides that, St. Labre provides jobs to the Native Americans. They built a beautiful dormitory for the kids that live so far away from school. They assure that the environment is drug and alcohol free! They have great teachers and staff.

It's not fair to rate or judge this school according to the news you are reading or hearing from someone's sayings/stories. If you like, you need to come here and see it for yourself as the other donors did. I met some donors that came here and my husband and I thanked them for helping St. Labre. Lots of teachers and staff are came from out-of-state. Some said, that they would like to stay or work for the school for just a year or two, but lots of them end up staying for years and bought house close by to continue their mission as teachers/staff for the Native American kids.. The proof to it is my husband, taught here for 17 years and now he is the campus ministry coordinator. He loves teaching/working at St. Labre. In fact, he can go to the big universities/colleges and enjoy big salaries but we chose to live here. We love it here at St. Labre and our kids loving this school. I don't work at St. Labre but this mission school is doing a good job of not wasting your money that you donate for the Native American kids. Thank you so much for your donations. Every dollar that you donate will go towards for shaping the future of the Native American kids. Also, preserving the Cheyenne and Crow heritage/culture/customs/traditions.

I have been donating a small amount to St Labre for years and realize that they must raise money to run the school. Education is so important whether it be for Indian children or any other. Our country is currently going to the dogs and we need educated citizens to run our great country. Those children at St Labre may be the ones to get us back on track.

My in-laws have been giving to this charity for years, and receiving fleece blankets with 'tribal' prints as thank-you gifts. Do not give to them! They have been sued by the tribe, as only a few Northern Cheyenne children attend the school, and it is marketed as being 100% N. Cheyenne. It's really just a rich private school that solicits donations using false pretenses. Do your homework!

The major objections I read here, have to do with the expenditure of 50% of their budget for fund-raising. Now, there are a number of schools with similar missions, who serve less people, are constantly financially strapped and consequently can't do the job St. Labre does. Few people have heard of these schools, and fewer still support them. St. Labre may spend a lot of money fund-raising, but it looks to me that they are raising two dollars for every one they spend. Yes, it would be nice if they could spend less, but common sense tells me that if they spent less, they would likely raise less. I am greatly impressed with their success with graduating students, and how many go on for higher learning. So I don't care how much they spend to raise the money to do this. What is important to me is they seem to be succeeding very well in their mission. I am happy to increase my donation now.

I have read both positive and negative reviews, but my experience has been all good. I donated money and received my blanket...which was never promised to be handmade...right away. Then I received a student-written thank you note for my gift and photos of the children. After that, I received a card which played "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" sung by the children when opened. The response of thank yous impressed me and demonstrates the values taught at the school.

I read a review written by a reporter about how one tribe had sued the Catholic Church and Diocese because they feel the school is exploiting the Cheyenne tribe who are not benefiting enough from the school. I am not donating to a tribe, I am donating to a school who is spreading the values of Catholicism. If a person donates to a school, then he or she needs to realize, unless the donor explicitly states what the money is to be used for, the school can use its own discretion. 700 students are getting a free education and three meals a day. That is what I am donating toward.

My husband and I have been donating to St. Labre since 1985. My parents long before that. We usually go to the school every summer and this last year went to their ranch. What a great place!! We have had some very interesting talks about St Labre's educational opportunities with Curtis and the staff, for students, especially the cultural experiences they receive. I know that the fund raising goes directly to support the school. I'm a little confused as to why the Cheyenne Indian Nation thinks they should share in the monies donated to the school. After all the money is to educate the Cheyenne and Crow students. The educational opportunities are excellent and the resulting statistics surpass ordinary public school high school and college graduation rates for peers. Our family will continue to support this school and other Native Schools.

This charity seems to do good work by all accounts. People seemed miffed at the gifts, but I am not sure why anyone would require a blanket or any other gift to donate to a charity anyway. Use SouthwestIndian.com if you just want stuff to order and still get a tax writeoff. The lawsuit by the tribe sounds absurd. If the tribe cared so much and did even 1/2 the job the school does to take care of these kids, there would never have been a need for this school, but they didn't, they don't, and as far as I can tell, they never will.

My wife and I have never had a problem receiving gifts from this charity. Most of the time, we tell them not to send anything to us. No organization is perfect and things can "fall through the cracks". If a gift was not received, the person should have informed the charity before complaining about it.

We support this organization and believe in the work they are doing.

Mike & Ann Mills
Clearwater, FL

My mother gave a gift a few months ago. Her reward was to be a handcrafted blanket. She still checks the mail each weekday waiting for her "Gift". That seems a cruel joke to me. My family is of Irish and Cherokee descent. We donate to a cause we believed worthy and were jilted by those that should understand broken promises better than most!

I'm writing this in response to one for_the ride 's comment and concerns.
Anyone else who takes the time to read through all this. Thank you for making the time. This is what happens when you are involved ( giving ) to a place for 10,12+ years.

Here are 2 much more recent articles from the Billing Gazette, the same newspaper that had the story about the lawsuit , which mind you, I was very concerned about myself.

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/st-labre-school-celebrates-history/article_fa591d9d-21ef-50cb-bdf0-7991bd67dbd3.html

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/parts-of-st-labre-ruling-overturned/article_17fbe127-642a-54dd-8bfb-e2f425a87a9a.html
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Over the many years that I have been giving to St. Labre Indian School, I have learned things, by asking and by experiencing, and reading.
- They don't share their mailing list, though they GET lists. We have a unusual last name spelling. I asked for them to correct it. I don't remember ever seeing ANY OTHER junk mail to show they shared us.
- They're very good at keeping track of your donations, it seems. I wouldn't always get an acknowledgement, but at $100, you get a certificate for the Century Society.
- The number of students has increased from 650 to almost 800 students at the school. The quality of their education also gone up at the same time. No small feat. I can tell by what is written/seen in their newsletter.
- Students used to "end school" after the 8th grade; then after high school, and now they provide support into college by scholarships and mentoring.
- St. Labre's only started in like, the 1950's, and struggled for a bunch of years. They are learning as they go what helps the children to thrive.
[For College: The mentoring program just started a couple years ago =>So Many promising students who went to college were struggling from 'culture shock' and 'home sickness', and after a short time would drop out.]
- Misti, who is in charge of "donor relations" seems very well informed and very easy to work with. By the way, the times I have spoken with her, I had to go through a couple transfers (I called). I think that equals old phone equipment that hasn't been replaced just because it was old.
- They are there for the children, first. That said, what they have been doing has changed over time. They used to be like regular schools with one meal a day; then they started breakfast; I think they added something at the end of the day too - all because they were finding out that the children were going hungry and failing to thrive.
- I've seen in their mailings: In Fall into winter they watch for children dressed in appropriately for the weather and ask, "Where's is your coat? If the child gives an answer like "I don't know" or something, they know to be prepared to provide one: They learned that the children had no coats(or had outgrown theirs) and started a program for that. That are just SO MANY needs that the Indian children had that other children don't.
- Their services outside of education to the children(and adults) have expanded over time. IT's taken time.
- Long ago, Curtis had written to me that they never turn anyone away that comes to them for help-that was 10 years or so. But improve a structure for a person(That's what it sounds like the Northern Cheyenne Nation is asking for) That I'm not sure is within their scope.
- An estimated 92 percent of students are Native American. About 50 percent are Catholic. Tuition for all of them is free. I'm guessing that some of their stuff have children and go to school there.
- Curtis Yarlott, the executive director of 20 years, said this year the school awarded $250,000 in scholarships to 55 students - some of them older graduates who have decided to pursue a higher degree. [From the article above.] They aren't really that big of a school. That is BIG CHUNK in scholarship money.
- Per a mailing: Last year, they were trying to raise money to replace their old water pump, which was on it's last legs. It looked like it had been in been in need to replacement for a very long time (Major rust)and had finally given out. Why couldn't they have taken the money from their ample savings. I'm sure that some of it DID come from the savings. You don't leave 800 people (staff and kids) without running water, when you have a minimum of 30 kids staying the night all week. Replacements like that don't just happen. I think sometimes one needs to hold money aside.
- Curtis Yarlott, the executive director of 20 years, said this year the school awarded $250,000 in scholarships to 55 students - some of them older graduates who have decided to pursue a higher degree. From the article above.
-The online article states: the priest Hoffman, said: The old chiefs befriended me and they said, 'We need it[the school] for the children'.....Who knows what the truth is? I DO see, that the couple(who gave their opinion) below says they saw what they should of. Programs, food, and positive energy. Power/Heating costs, especially during the winter, can really add up. They've increased in side. I've gotten numerous acrylic blankets, that have changed in design. I was going to give to them anyhow, but with this encouragement, I gave more.

I believe I made a difference. They send a newsletter quarterly highlighting one student in particular and with various articles about what has been happening/going on. Curtis has his column and talks about the state of things.
It's funny, I don't usually recommend ANY charity to ANYONE. I just don't; maybe I need to start.
I have recently suddenly retired early, after a disability, but otherwise if money were no object I think my heart would lead me to still be giving to them. Maybe I wouldn't increase anymore in amount, $25, $35 and if I was well off, $75, but I would still give.

Anyone else who has taken the time to read through all this, Thank You for making the time. This is what happens when you are involved ( giving ) to a place for 10,12+ years. And I'm a caring type; I get all involved, like they are "my own".

This school has helped to make great strides in giving the vulnerable Native American children on reservations a chance to get out of the clutches of abuse and poverty. They use their money wisely and they always keep in contact with their donors as to how the money is used and to show appreciation. I strongly recommend donating to this school.

My wife and I have contributed funds for several years. We have visited this school twice and talked with staff, students, and volunteers. The school continues to grow and improve its facilities. The classrooms are alive, the kids happy, and evidence of learning is all over the bulletin boards and classroom walls. Teachers are enthusiastic. Most of the high school graduates go on to further education to community colleges, Montana State University, nursing schools, and several to the best colleges in the nation (with the help of scholarships and continuing counselling). The school also provides family help and jobs. I believe that funds are spent carefully and wisely.

I've supported the Indian children of St. Labre for more than 20 years. This is a place that is actually accomplishing good things not only for the children it serves, but also for the families of these children. The only way these kids are going to make something of their lives is with the exceptional education they receive at St. Labre. Their fundraising expense may appear high, but that is because they also provide good jobs for the people of the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian tribes -- something that is seldom fully explained by those groups who "rate" charities for their effectiveness. If you question their financial statement, I suggest you dig a little deeper. Go see them. Visit the schools. Talk to the kids. You'll discover St. Labre Indian School is an organization that squeezes every dollar and is fully appreciated by the Native American people it serves.