Red Cloud Indian School receives $1 million Opus Prize

November 14, 2021

The Opus Prize Foundation, in partnership with Loyola University Chicago, has announced Red Cloud Indian School as the winner of the 2021 Opus Prize.

The annual prize recognizes faith-based organizations and entrepreneurial individuals working to reduce human suffering. Red Cloud Indian School was awarded the $1 million prize in honor of the work of executive vice president Bob Braveheart and vice president for mission and identity Fr. Peter Klink. Located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the school has been educating Lakota children since 1879, when Chief Red Cloud petitioned the U.S. government to allow the Jesuits to come to the reservation and set up a school. Run jointly by the Jesuits and Lakota people, today the organization comprises two elementary schools, one high school, the Heritage Center, and a parish with an extensive network of churches.

In addition, the foundation awarded $100,000 each to two finalists: Fe y Alegria, a federation of Venezuelan NGOs that provide educational opportunities to the poor, along with teacher training and educational radio, and the Kino Border Initiative, which works to promote U.S.-Mexico border and immigration policies that affirm the dignity of the human person and a spirit of bi-national solidarity.

"As we celebrate the university's sesquicentennial, Loyola was honored to welcome these organizations to the university and be given this opportunity to advance world-changing work that aligns with our mission," said Loyola vice president for mission integration Janet Sisler. "The Opus Prize laureates truly embody Loyola's Jesuit values by creating new opportunities for impact and transformation. We were thrilled to witness Red Cloud Indian School Pine Ridge Indian Reservation win the $1 million Opus Prize award this evening, and we extend our sincerest congratulations to all three finalists."

(Photo credit: Red Cloud Indian School)
Source: PND

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