A Joint Statement From The Native Members Of The LLC Board Of Directors

A recent article published by NBC News severely mischaracterized the Lakota Language Consortium, what we do, and who we are.

As Native members of LLC’s board, we are saddened that the article lacked the many Native voices that could have spoken to the widespread support for, and the profound impact of, LLC’s important work with the Lakota community. This erasure of Native experiences, in favor of focusing on misleading and false claims initiated by a single individual, is antithetical to our core values as a Native-operated organization.

LLC exists to expand Lakȟótiyapi literacy and ensure that anyone who wants to learn the language has the tools they need to learn it successfully through a community-based approach.

We Ben Black Bear (Sičháŋǧu Lakȟóta), Iris Chasing Eagle (Cheyenne River),  Travis Condon (Iháŋktȟuŋwaŋna and Mnikȟówožu), Šišókaduta (Dakhóta iápi Okhódakičhiye), Richard Two Dogs (Oglála Lakȟóta), Tipiziwin Toleman (Wičhíyena Dakota and Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta), and Kevin Locke (Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta and Anishinaabe) remain singularly dedicated to this mission.