Lakota Summer Institute

Are you ready? The in-person 2023 Lakota Summer Institute (LSI) in collaboration with Rural American Initiatives (RAI) is next week!!! We’ll be in Rapid City, South Dakota next to the beautiful Ȟesápa from June 5th-16th fully immersed in Lakȟóta learning!

We are excited to offer Beginner, Pre-Intermediate, and Teacher courses lead by our wonderful team of instructors: Allen Wilson, Delmer Forgets Nothing, Naomi Last Horse, Kimberlee Campbell, Jan Ullrich, and Alex FireThunder! We are also joined by treasured Elders: Rick Two Dogs, Ben Black Bear Jr, Imogene Roy, and Robert Two Crow to guide us and provide context to what we’ll learn together!

We look forward to the space being in filled with good intentions and creativity as we learn together!

3rd Edition NLD Accomplishment

We are happy to announce that the 3rd Edition of the New Lakota Dictionary has won the Gold award in the Reference category of the prestigious IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award program. This achievement is a testament to the exceptional work of our dedicated Elders, contributors, and supporters who have made this dictionary an incredible and reliable tool in Lakȟóta learning. The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards recognize excellence in book editorial and design and are regarded as one of the highest national honors for independent publishers. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Independent Book Publishers Association and the esteemed professionals who participated in the judging process.

We also want to congratulate the Crow Language Consortium on their Silver award in the same category. Their remarkable achievement showcases their commitment to the preservation and continued use of Apsáalooke. These awards celebrate the invaluable contributions made by several Lakota and Crow communities! We are incredibly grateful to the countless individuals who have contributed to the ongoing efforts of continued language use.

End Of The Year Updates

As the school year concludes, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all educators for their unwavering dedication. Your hard work and contributions in the classroom are truly valued. While you take time to recharge, here are some important updates:

We have addressed issues with the Owóksape online portal, ensuring a smoother experience for all users. If you haven’t logged on or registered yet, we encourage you to sign up and explore its features. Your active participation contributes to a vibrant learning environment. Register for the teacher portal by clicking here. We look forward to having you join our growing community on Owóksape.

Additionally, We want to remind you that bulk orders of Lakȟóta materials are available for your classroom needs. When you order 50 or more items, whether it’s books, posters, or learning aids, we apply a 25% discount to your order. This is a great time to revisit the existing teaching resources available! Again, we thank you for your dedication and passion in your work with our most cherished young relatives!

Visit the refreshed teacher section of our website!

ICILDER Conference Announced at UN Forum

Recently our partners at The Language Conservancy (TLC) visited the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)  where the 3rd Edition of the New Lakota Dictionary was unveiled along with the work TLC has done with the 47 Indigenous languages it works with! TLC also announced their upcoming International Conference on Indigenous Language Documentation, Education, and Revitalization (ICILDER) to be held in October.