Hundreds of Lakota educators and learners have embarked on a journey into the Lakota language at Lakota Summer Institute.
Join a vibrant, thriving community of Lakota teachers, learners and activists to see how Lakota language can change your life! See what participants from last year are saying here.
In January 2016, the LLC updated its Lakota Keyboard and Fonts Bundle, courtesy of SoftMaker Fonts. Have you tried out the new fonts on your computer yet? Here are a few reasons why these fonts are so special…
1).Part of the Lakota revitalization effort is to move the language forward and help it adapt to an ever-evolving world of technology. Every day, Lakota learners and fluent speakers are using the language on Facebook, and using apps developed by the LLC to learn vocabulary and look up words.
2). Lakota has a number of unique sounds that require special letters. Most fonts out there don’t provide these letters. That’s why we’re so excited about this collaboration with SoftMaker, who have generously donated 20 fonts that cover the Lakota alphabet for Lakota language learners. This is one of the ways LLC collaborates with technology manufactures to make learning Lakota easier.
3).These fonts allow learners to be more creative with their writing and make it easier for them to incorporate the language into everyday use. Whether you are a teacher writing classroom materials, a community member printing powwow posters, a vendor producing signage in the language, or a tribal school designing fun-run T-shirts, these fonts give you the freedom to use the Lakota language with ease and pride.
4). It’s absolutely FREE. Waŋná Lakȟól’iya wanáȟtagyaya oyákihi ye! Now you too can type Lakota anywhere on your computer — whether you’re posting on Facebook, writing an email or typing a word document. This software includes 30 beautiful fonts so you can make your Lakota writing look the way you want it. Just look for the Lakota Keyboard Layout and Fonts Bundle on our Software and Downloads page here: https://lakhota.org/software-downloads/
To SoftMaker: Mas’óowa waštéšte kiŋ lená yéč’uŋpi kiŋ úŋ líla philáuŋyaŋpi. (Thank you for contributing these beautiful fonts!)
We are very happy to announce another Lakota Language Weekend! This edition of the workshop will be held at the Rosebud Casino (Event Center) on January 30-31. Don’t miss this chance to meet and learn alongside people who love the Lakota language as much as you do!
The workshop will include two full days of training for beginners and fluent speakers (schedule to be announced soon).
Check out the flyer below for more information. Registration for the event is a non-refundable fee of $20; you can register at this link, and follow updates on our Facebook event page.
Refreshments for both days will be provided, but participants are responsible for their own lodging. We have reserved a block of 25 rooms at the Quality Inn Rosebud Casino Hotel under “Lakota Language Consortium” for a special rate of $73.85 (tax included).
We also have news for those that can’t make it to this Lakota Language Weekend…We will be announcing the dates and registration for Lakota Summer Institute 2016 at the end of January – stay tuned!
Get in touch with us if you have any questions and continue to inspire each other in your Lakota language-learning journeys. Iyápi kiŋ gluhá máni po!
Wóphila Tȟáŋka!
LLC Team
P.S. Don’t forget to share these news with your friends and family!
Have you met the newest addition of our LLC App family, Lakota Vocab Builder?
Play your way to better Lakota vocabulary skills!
The app comes in two versions. It is available at the Google Play Store as FREE or Pro and at the Apple Store as FREE .
A fun, interactive, new way to learn Lakota!
Build your Lakota vocabulary with Lakota Language Consortium’s FREE vocabulary game for your Android or iOS mobile device. Quiz yourself everyday to learn different categories – wild animals, food, drinks, and more! The free version of the app includes:
20 culturally-relevant categories designed by Lakota speakers
10-25 words per category, for a total of 200-500 words!
Audio pronunciation and visual aid for each word in the category
Quiz yourself by matching English words to Lakota words, and vice versa
Progress through levels to unlock new words
Track your progress and review words you’ve learned by category or activity
Additional categories are available (~40 categories, and growing!) with purchase of the Pro version of the app,for only $0.99! (Note: this is currently only available for Android)
Designed for learning that is memorable and fun!
Each word you match correctly increases your score, and each level you finish unlocks a new one! Words that are not matched correctly are repeated until you master them. This repetition method is an effective learning strategy.Whether you are learning on your own, or taking a beginner’s Lakota class, Lakota Vocab Builder will help build your confidence in using new Lakota words!
With the holidays upon us, we want to extend season’s greetings and wishes to you and your family – with some new Lakota language materials! The holidays are a perfect time to gather together, celebrate Lakota and encourage each other to keep learning. Here are some materials to support all ages of Lakota learners and speakers in your family:
Lakota Children’s Songs – Vol. 3 For the young music-lover in your family: this is our biggest collection of children’s songs to date!
This album mixes nursery rhymes, lullabies, holiday music and traditional Lakota songs that will keep kids entertained for hours. Featuring Ring Around the Rosie, Rock-A-Bye Baby, Íŋkpata, Jingle Bells, and many more, this volume includes a 16-page booklet with song texts.Learn Lakota the fun way! The CD is available for purchase as a download at this link or at our bookstore(shipping beginning Dec. 18).
Lakota Keyboard Layout and Fonts Bundle, v.3 (for PC & Mac)
Waŋná Lakȟól’iya wanáȟtagyaya oyákihi ye!
Now you too can type Lakota anywhere on your computer – whether you’re posting on Facebook, writing an email or typing a word document. This FREE software also includes 30 beautiful fonts so you can make your Lakota writing look the way you want it. Just visit the Software and Downloads page to download.
(This new software is a free alternative to previous keyboard software that we offered through Tavultesoft. If you have been using Tavultesoft, we recommend upgrading to this new software as we are no longer able to provide support for Tavultesoft users.)
Lightning & Wind – Kevin Locke and Douglas Good Feather
Five years in the making, this beautiful album comes straight from the heart of Lakota culture. This album celebrates love in all its joys and woes through a genre of song called wiílowaŋ (“serenades” or “songs of women”).
Lightning & Wind brings together archival recordings of some of the last keepers of these songs with masterful flute work by Kevin Locke and contemporary vocals by Douglas Good Feather. Wiílowaŋ flourished in the pre-reservation period when they were taught as part of the art of traditional subsistence. Although the social context that gave rise to wiílowaŋ has disappeared, their entertainment value has persevered, and the emotions they sing of are timeless gifts of the Plains.
Lakȟótiya Wóglaka Po! – Speak Lakota! Levels 1-4 Gift Package
Show your support to your favorite Lakota learners by gifting them a set of Speak Lakota! Level 1 through 4 textbooks and audio CDs (over a 40% discount from regular price)!
This exclusive gift pack can be found at our bookstore.
As always, we welcome your orders and questions by email, phone or Facebook and Twitter! Have a joyous holiday season and we’ll see you in the new year!
Enter the code ‘FREE’ when checking out at the LLC Bookstore to receive free shipping on all your purchases!
If you’re using Amazon to make your holiday purchases, consider using our Amazon Smile link, and a portion of your purchase will go towards supporting LLC!
November has arrived, which means that Rising Voices/Hótȟaŋiŋpi is coming to a station near you!
November 1 marked the first premieres of the film on public stations in Washington, Colorado and Michigan. This week, the film was shown on stations in North Carolina and will be shown on stations in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Virginia! You can now check your local listings, or click the following link to find out broadcast dates for your state.
To celebrate the premieres, we will be going on tour to schools and museums in North and South Dakota November 8-14! Below is a schedule of our events, which you can also find here.
We’ve just returned from an exciting weekend at Thuswéča Thiyóšpaye, which took place in Rapid City, SDOct. 8-10! If you’ve never been to the summit, it’s a gathering of kindred souls – a chance for people who love their Lakota/Dakota language to connect with each other and share their passion.
This year’s agenda featured many of our friends, including Ben Black Bear, Nacole Walker and Sunshine Carlow, Peter Hill, and a screening of Rising Voices/Hótȟaŋiŋpi. We’re happy to share some of the highlights from the Language Summit below!
We’ve got a busy fall season ahead of us! One event we’re particularly excited about is a fundraiser we’re hosting in Bloomington, IN – Supporting Native Voices Gala. We welcome everyone to join us for an evening to benefit and celebrate indigenous language and culture! The event will be held at Deer Park Manor on November 5, 2015 at 6 PM. UPDATE: The 2017 Gala will be held Nov. 3 at Deer Park Manor!
The evening will feature an indigenous flute and hoop dance performance by Kevin Locke, appetizers, and a screening of our new documentary – Rising Voices/Hótȟaŋiŋpi. See below for more details!
RSVP – purchase your ticket at the BCT Box Office in-person or online at bctboxoffice.com. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at 812-961-6360
As tickets are limited we recommend reserving yours as soon as possible at the following link.
Kevin Locke (Tȟokéya Inážiŋ, meaning “The First to Arise”) is a world-renowned indigenous flute player, a traditional storyteller, cultural ambassador, recording artist and Lakota educator. Kevin has received numerous awards and honors, including the National Heritage Fellowship (1990) from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Enduring Vision Award (2009) from the Bush Foundation. You can read a great interview with Kevin here.
Rising Voices/Hótȟaŋiŋpitells the story of a passionate, dedicated and diverse group of people – members of the Lakota community and Linguists from outside of the community who are working together to save the Lakota language and restore it to its rightful place in Lakota, and American, culture. Told through the voices of a wide range of Lakota people who share their feelings about their language and the myriad challenges facing their community, the film also incorporates four short films created for Rising Voices by Lakota filmmakers and artists.
We had one of our biggest and most successful Summer Institutes thus far. We were happy to welcome many new Lakota language teachers and learners, and welcome back many familiar faces.
This summer we also launched our Lakota Vocab Builder for Android. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, hop on over to the Google Play store to download the Free or Pro version (only $0.99)! If learning Lakota wasn’t fun enough already, this app will provide even more enjoyment! Stay tuned for news about the iOS version.
As we are getting ready to say goodbye to Summer 2015, we’re looking forward to new opportunities and events in the fall.
If you missed this year’s LSI, don’t despair! Coming up September 26-27 we are hosting Lakota Language Weekend in Pine Ridge, SD. It will be an opportunity to see old friends and make new ones, all the while learning Lakota!
Check out the flyer below for more information!
Registration for the event is $20; you can register at this link, and follow updates on our Facebook event page.
As always, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Continue to support and encourage each other in your Lakota language-learning journeys.
June 19th marked the last day of the ninth Lakota Summer Institute (LSI)!
Can you believe that we’ve been running the Institute for almost ten years?
This year was big in many ways! Last year we had more than 100 participants at Sitting Bull College, but that included Lakota, Crow, and Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara Summer Institutes. This year, we had over 100 participants just at LSI!
So, our program keeps growing, in terms of participants and classes. For example, this year we offered Phonology II with Jan Ullrich, which gave participants the opportunity to listen to recordings of eloquent Lakota speakers, transcribe text from these recordings, and familiarize themselves with fast speech phenomena.
The big event at LSI this year was a pre-screening of Rising Voices/Hótȟaŋiŋpi, which took place at the Standing Rock High School Auditorium June 11-13 (at 8 PM). There was an overwhelmingly positive response to the film, and we can’t wait for our premiere tour in November. Follow our Facebook page and Twitter to hear about the cities, dates and times of Rising Voices screenings!
This special edition newsletter will give you some of the highlights through participant perspectives! We caught up with a lot of people at the institute—from brand new members to devoted LSI veterans and teachers—to see what they thought about this year’s program. (And psst, for the record: all those that came to LSI for the first time are definitely planning to come back next year).
Allen James Wilson – a first-time LSI participant from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, who is a language and culture teacher at St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD. “I really really enjoyed the institute, and learned so much from the methods. For example, in Rosebud we use Albert White Hat’s orthography, which is great, but having the [Standard Lakota] orthography explained with the introduction of phonemes helps so much.” One thing Allen would fix about LSI? “I wish the Institute was longer…at least 6 weeks!” Us too Allen, us too.
Enya Agard – a junior in high school and a returning (2nd year) participant of LSI. Her favorite part of LSI: “I lke interacting and meeting new people”. When we asked her what it feels like to be learning Lakota, she said, “My parents don’t speak Lakota. It feels cool to know another language and to be able to teach them Lakota words.” Right on!
Alli Moran – a third year LSI-er who practices Lakota at home by herself. “When I was 10 everything began to come together. I began to understand what it means being a Native woman and the importance of Lakota language and culture […] I love it here. I love seeing everyone come together and we all have a common cause, which is to learn and speak the language.”
Paulette R. High Elk – a Lakota language teacher from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Paulette has been coming to LSI for 7 out of 9 years. She recounted, “For one thing, I enjoy coming here because it’s a time I can be around other language teachers and fluent speakers. After the year is done, it’s kind of like a retreat where I can get re-energized, get motivation, and learn something new. Even though I’m a fluent speaker I didn’t know how to read or write, so I learned the majority of that by coming to the Institute.” She’s been teaching Lakota for about 21 years, but we were surprised to learn that her training was in…nursing! When we asked her if she missed nursing she laughed and said, “Well, there’s a lot of nurses out there, but not a lot of fluent Lakota speakers”.
Mike (Mac) McFarland – a first-timer at LSI, who has been avidly studying Lakota for 3 years at University of South Dakota. “I came to be interested in the language through Plains History and culture […] My language teacher years ago told me about the LLC.” When we asked him what his favorite part of LSI was, he responded with “Frankly, the amount of learning materials, which is vastly more than any of those out there, both for learners and teachers. I am very anxiously awaiting the Lakota teachers’ grammar. Having a document that expands on the grammar in such depth will be invaluable.”
Quinn (left) with good friend Blaze Starkey, another enthusiastic LSI participant.
Quinn Orris – a second year LSI-er from the Yankton Sioux Tribe (Dakota). Quinn received a grant from his college this year to come to LSI. “I needed to take a language for my degree, so I searched for Lakota and found the Institute. This is one of the best places for learning an indigenous language that I’ve ever heard of. When I got here it was mind blowing. Everyone here is so nice and there are so many intelligent people teaching us. This year is more exciting to me with all the new resources that have become available, which I can use in my off-time. I plan on coming back as many years as I can.”
Tipiziwin Tolman – Tipiziwin is a teacher at the Language Nest and has been involved in LSI from 2007. “I remember where there was only 20 something people and only one track of courses. At the time it was mostly native speakers that came. It’s grown so much.” Tipizi hopes to engage more of the community as a whole, “It’s been a really good experience and I wouldn’t change anything, I just wish community members would understand the opportunity that’s right on our front door.”
Waníya Locke – Waníya is an LSI veteran and participant of the LLEAP program. “I like seeing how much it grew, so many new people from different countries this year…And I like seeing everyone having their ‘ah-ha!’ moments, saying ‘This makes sense’ or ‘I didn’t think of it that way!’ There’s always something for everyone – for secondary language learners, for teachers, for new language learners, and for children!”
Šišóka Dúta (left) and his wife Katie, showing off our LSI 2015 mugs.
Šišóka Dúta (Joe Bendickson)– a Dakota language teacher. It was Šišóka Dúta’s second time teaching at LSI. He previously taught 3 years ago, but this year it was the first year he taught intensive Dakota for beginners and Dakota teaching methods Level 1. Šišóka shared some of his thoughts, “I really had a good time. We are building a cross-dialectal unity. Instead of just doing Dakota, we are bringing people together to learn Lakota and Dakota […] I think the kind of atmosphere that language strives in is a positive, safe environment where people can learn. And that’s what we have here.”
We want to hear what you thought about this year’s Lakota Summer Institute, and what you want to see next year! Suggestions and ideas for classes or topics you’d like to explore are welcome. Email us, tweet at us, Facebook us! If you weren’t following our news, check out our Twitter and Facebook, and search for hashtags #LSI2015 or #speaklakota.
And while we know you’ll miss us during the year,
we’ll be working hard to bring you even better Lakota language-learning tools and products for the next summer institute! This week we are at Makoché Studios in Bismarck recording some of our new projects, including Lakota Children’s Songs Volume 3! If you know any Lakota songs and would like to share them for the next album, contact Marek Kupiec at marek@lakhota.org
Thank you to all organizers and participants for making LSI 2015 a memorable experience!
Lakota Children’s Songs – Vol. 3 For the young music-lover in your family: this is our biggest collection of children’s songs to date!
Lakota Keyboard Layout and Fonts Bundle, v.3 (for PC & Mac)
