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!