Category: 2019

Language Technology

LLC has been working hard to ramp up its language learning technology! We know how important it is to make language learning tools accessible to young learners.

We’re excited to announce our plans to re-launch our Lakota Language learning platform, Owóksape for alpha testing this Spring!

We’ll be demonstrating many of the exciting features of Owóksape at our Summer Institutes – don’t miss your chance to give it a try!

Summer of Lakota Learning!

We’re gearing up for this year’s Summer Institutes. Join us for a summer of Lakota language learning!

LLC is offering two Institutes again this year:

This year we will have 5 tracks with beginner, pre-intermediate, and teacher levels in Communicative Lakota, Lakota Grammar, Lakota Writing for Teachers, and Teaching Methods.

Register

here!

LSI North at University of North Dakota
July 8 – 26

LSIN is the full Summer Institute experience with the most courses. Live, eat, and study all in one place! The institute will offer 3 tracks with beginner and pre-intermediate levels in Communicative Lakota and Lakota Grammar.

Register here!

The following costs need to be paid to Lakota Language Consortium no later than June 15, 2019:

Class Tuition: $150/week ($450 for all 3 weeks)

UND Selke Hall: $380 (double room) or $760 (single room) for all 3 weeks.

Classes Plus Accomodations Total: $830 (double room) or $1,210 (single room) for all 3 weeks, rooms included.

*For those with cost inquiries, please email events@lakhota.org or call 812-340-5287.
____________________________________________________

The following costs will be paid directly to the University of North Dakota:

Professional Development Credits: $50/class ($300 for all 6 classes). More details to come.

Meals: All meals can be purchased on an individual basis at the University dining hall. More details to come.

Parking: Daily permits are $5/day. Weekly permits are $20/week. Permits can be purchased online or in-person at Parking Services.

Summer Institutes are great opportunities for teacher/professional development or language learning.

Language Weekends Wrap-Up

Our language weekends are not only great opportunities to learn Lakota, but an opportunity to connect with other language learners.

This year we had a fantastic turnout at both our Rapid City and New York City Lakota Language Weekends!

The LLC weekend workshops are a great place to introduce yourself to the Lakota language. The teachers are knowledgeable and passionate about the language and make learning fun. Whether you are entirely new to the language or have some background knowledge, there is definitely something for everyone at these workshops. Past participants have been happily surprised with the fact that they could talk and understand some Lakota even after the first day. The skills instilled throughout the weekend promote a basis for self learning long after the workshop is over. “I would thoroughly recommend this course, even for those who think that can’t learn another language, or who are afraid to get back into the classroom. – John B, LLW NYC attendee

We’re planning even more Language Weekends in fall this year. Stay tuned for more details!

International Year of Indigenous Languages

A people’s language is more than a way to connect with one another.

Language holds one’s understanding of the world.

Their Identity, history, and traditions.

2,680 Indigenous Languages are in danger of going extinct.

When a language is lost, the world loses a unique voice.

The United Nations has recognized the urgency of this crisis and declared 2019 The International Year of Indigenous Languages.

It’s our hope that this beacon of light will serve as a call-to-action, inspiring people to join our movement in revitalizing endangered languages.

Collectively, we can make a meaningful impact in protecting the language diversity of the world.

The Lakota Language Consortium is excited to be releasing new picture books this year!

Originally captured through a voice recorder, “Turtle Goes To War” is a traditional Lakota fable brought to written word through author/anthropologist/linguist Ella Deloria (1889-1971). A daughter of Sioux parents, Deloria spent her life following Native American ancestry not only for her own personal interests, but to also continue to sustain history and language.

“Turtle Goes to War,” as well as many other tales, were recorded from a traditional speaker of the Lakota language.

This storybook will be the first of Deloria’s works to be published by LLC. After its release, LLC will continue to publish more of the author’s transcriptions to further children’s and adult’s education on Native American culture!

The University of North Dakota’s Lakota Language Teaching and Learning Program is not only an opportunity to become a Lakota Language teacher, but the chance to play a pivotal role in rebuilding the Lakota Language!

150 Lakota speakers must be gained each year for the Lakota Language to become sustainable again.

We’re confident that this program will have a meaningful impact!

The LLTL program offers:

• $1,800 a month stipend

• Financial aid assistance

• Tutoring and mentoring

• Childcare assistance

• Job placement

Click here to apply today!

We are excited to announce The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) has contracted out The Lakota Language Consortium to strengthen Native American language programs for northern region states.

Schools in Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming who are a part of BIE will have access to these free resources.

This program includes the following services:

-Site visits and program consulting

-Monthly webinars

-Teacher summer professional development

This indigenous language program will also be creating written resources such as a directory of outside sources, immersion program and assessment tools and best practice guides for Native language programs.

Our second webinar on communicative teaching methods will take place on 1/31 from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm MST. Click here to join. For those unable to attend, webinars will be posted here. This is a free resource to all teachers, administrators, and staff from BIE schools in the northern region.

We’re ready to hit the ground running in teaching Lakota at our Lakota Language Weekends this year!

There’s always a great sense of energy for learning at these events. We are excited to share these experiences with you!

Lakota Language Weekend – Rapid City
Feb. 9 – 10
Click here to register!

Lakota Language Weekend – NYC
Feb. 23 – 24
Click here to register!

Summer Institutes will be announced soon!