St. Labre Indian School - Educating For Life
Educating For Life
   Making Miracles Happen For Over 120 Years
 

 

TREE OF LIFE FUND
The Tree of Life Fund
Planting SEEDS OF HOPE for Generations to come.

More than ONE HUNDRED YEARS ago..

a group of Ursuline nuns braved the wilderness of Montana to settle a new mission along the Tongue River. They arrived in 1884 to find a three-room log cabin where they founded St. Labre Indian School. This was the humble beginning to a legacy of serving the Native American people.
Today, the vision of St. Labre is considered to be a miracle in the wilderness. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of many friends and benefactors, the legacy of St. Labre continues to provide the means to a real future to more than 700 deserving Native American children.
In addition to a regular program of elementary and secondary education, St. Labre offers classes in industrial arts, home economics, music and art and a full compliment of athletics and other extra-curricular activities. Great importance is also placed on Native American culture and tradition. And, every child attending St. Labre is also given the opportunity to attend college or a university.
St. Labre is also the home for children who have no real home, or no safe place to call home. For many, St. Labre is their last, best chance at making something of their precious lives. For them, St. Labre is indeed a miracle in the wilderness.
A SPECIAL INVITATION to Continue the legacy of St. Labre

Many friends and supporters of St. Labre Indian School recall with great admiration the miracles that Father Emmett Hoffmann accomplished during his years serving this mission.
From its beginning, St. Labre has depended almost entirely on the kindness and generosity of its friends and benefactors. Despite the years when fire, flood, and other crises threatened to close its doors, St. Labre has remained open for more than a century. Literally thousands of Native American children have grown up at St. Labre, many returning to give something back for future generations.
Keeping the miracle of St. Labre alive is no easy task. To insure the legacy of St. Labre continues for future generations, the Tree of Life Fund was created. This fund, the principal of which shall remain in perpetuity, provides a lasting source of funds. Only the income generated from this fund is used as needed - the original, principal sum remains untouched.

There are seven GIVING LEVELS on St. Labre's Tree of Life

EACH LEVEL IS NOTED BY A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TREE - AND WITH CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE AS IT RELATES TO NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITION.

Ash

Used to make Ceremonial Pipe Stems
Recognized any gift of at least: $2,500 to $4,999

Cedar

Burned in Purification Rituals
Recognized any gift of at least: $5,000 to $9,999

Willow

Used to construct Sweat Lodges
Recognized any gift of at least: $10,000 to $14,999

Aspen

Used to build the altar in a Sundance Lodge Recognized any gift of at least: $15,000 to $24,999

Cottonwood

Used as the center pole in a Sundance Lodge Recognized any gift of at least: $25,000 to $49,999

Lodgepole Pine

This tree is used to make Teepee Poles Recognized any gift of at least: $50,000 to $74,999

Boxelder

The hottest burning wood, used for Ceremonial Fires Recognized any gift of at least: $75,000 or more

Friends and benefactors who contribute to the Tree of Life Fund are given a very special PLACE OF RECOGNITION
An extraordinary bronze tree sculpture has been erected in the St. Labre Visitor's Center - a wonderful place for all to see those individuals who believe in maintaining the Legacy that is St. Labre. Memorials or tributes are engraved on leaves of the actual tree sculpture, along with other significant designs within the tree, depending on the amount of support provided. Memorials or tributes may be made honoring friends or loved ones both living and deceased.

Contributors to the TREE OF LIFE FUND will also receive an engraved plaque...
...commemorating the memorial or tribute. Ideally suited as a family remembrance or living tribute, This plaque is appropriate for home or office display.

The Tree of Life Fund is administered by St. Labre Indian School Educational Association. St Labre, whose purpose is exclusively educational and charitable, depends entirely on the generosity of benefactors. Any contribution to the Tree of Life Fund or to St. Labre Indian School is entirely tax-deductible as allowed by law and will serve as a lasting tribute for generations of children to come.