The Lakota-Dakota Language Summit had a celebratory end with the LLC award ceremony for learning achievements. The ceremony was very respectful and a special honoring song was sung.
The schools’ honors were based on comparison of learning assessment test scores from Fall 2013 and Spring 2014. Recognition was given for highest achievement and best improvement in the test scores.
Honoring all the winners
Elementary schools
Most Improved — Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Early Elementary (Cheyenne River)
Highest Achieved — Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Early Elementary (Cheyenne River)
Junior High schools
Most Improved — Rock Creek Grant School (Standing Rock)
Highest Achieved — Red Shirt School (Hermosa, SD, Shannon County)
Red Shirt Middle School Students and Teacher Michael Scares Hawk
High Schools
Most Improved – Red Cloud High School (Pine Ridge)
Highest Achieved — Red Cloud High School (Pine Ridge)
Red Cloud High School Students and Teachers Tama Iatala , Philomine Lakota, Roger White Eyes, and Vance Blacksmith.
Ben Black Bear, Jr. was the MC, and he emphasized for the audience how important it is to recognize the good work being done in Lakota Country to teach the Lakota language.
Ben Black Bear, Jr.
Teaching is so often unsung, invisible work – and yet it is front line of the language revitalization movement. LLC wants this to change! We hope that these awards turn attention around towards honoring students, teachers and schools for bringing the language back.
Wóphila to everyone who worked so hard to make the 7th Annual Lakota-Dakota Language Summit so memorable and exciting!
