Aŋpetu Iyohi Dak̇ota Iapi WóuŋhdakapiWe Speak Dakota Every Day
The Dakota language is critically endangered. It was stripped from us during an era of forced assimilation driven by federal laws, regulations, and policies. Our children were sent to boarding schools to become “civilized” and were punished for speaking in their native language.
We suffered greatly during this painful period, and we are still recovering. For decades we were fearful and ashamed to speak our language, feelings that continue even today among too many of our people.
But we have hope for the future. After a long journey of hardships and years of work to secure our self-sufficiency, we now have the resources to restore this central part of our identity and culture. For the first time in generations, our children are being born into families that speak the language.
Although we are making progress, much more work is needed to revive the Dakota language so that it can be spoken by future generations.
Growing the Language in Our Community
While our language has been preserved through audio recordings and dictionaries, growing the language requires people with deep knowledge who can teach the meaning behind the words.
That effort was jump-started in 2017 by an impactful program called Voices of Our Ancestors. The learning program, which partnered the SMSC with four tribal colleges, invited students from five tribes in the Midwest to become fully immersed in the Dakota language for two years. SMSC Members who attended these classes brought much-needed knowledge back to the Community.
Today, the SMSC has a team dedicated to teaching the language to tribal members. The Dak̇ota Iapi Típi offers weekly classes for speakers of all levels and seasonal family nights for beginners. The team also encourages the language through youth culture camps, preparing teams for competitions, and by providing translations services for the SMSC’s departments.
Deepening the Understanding of Our People through Language
The Dak̇ota Iapi Típi also shares the language with the public as part of the SMSC’s continual effort to increase understanding of the Dakota people. The Dak̇ota Iapi Típi teaches basic language classes for group field trips at Hoċokata Ṫi and works closely with the cultural center’s staff so visitors can experience the language during tours.
The team also partners with area agencies and organizations on a wide range of language projects, from mobile apps to informational panels for parks and historical sites.
In an effort to grow the Dakota language outside of the SMSC, the Community hosted the inaugural Dak̇ota Iapi Akiċiyapi (Dakota Language Bowl) in 2023. The annual springtime competition draws teams of all experience levels from tribes and schools across the Upper Midwest and Canada.
Interested in learning about the Dakota language? View educational videos and resources by visiting hocokatati.org.
