Kicking off the series, episode one of the Wičháho Blihélya podcast explores the histories around some of the last names heard in Lakota communities today. We hear stories about mistranslations and stories of how those names came to be. We also get to hear a few naming songs sung by renown Lakota singer, Ben Iron Hawk (Oglála).

Speakers in this episode include: Edna Plenty Arrows (Oglála), Ben Black Bear (Sičháŋǧu), Robert Two Crow (Oglála), and Alex FireThunder (Oglála).

Episode two was recorded in light of Valentine’s Day, modernly celebrated by Lakota people and observed as “Čhaŋté Skúya Aŋpétu” or “Sweet Heart Day”. We discuss the history of traditional Lakota courtship, marriage, values as well as discussing love songs such as the wiówešte olówaŋ. This episode features love songs sung by both Melvin Young Bear (Oglála) and Royal Yellow Hawk (Sičháŋǧu).

Speakers in this episode include: Jerry Yellow Hawk (Cheyenne River), Ben Black Bear (Sičháŋǧu), Theresa Mendoza (Oglála), Clifford Canku (Sisíthuŋwaŋ Dakhóta), Robert Two Crow (Oglála), and Alex FireThunder (Oglála).

This episode was recorded in hopes that it would be the last time we discuss winter weather until far after the coming summer has passed. We spoke with elders who recalled that winter was the time for storytelling, and how these stories have lessons and teachings attached to them. We also heard true stories and memories of one of the worst blizzards in South Dakota history, the 1949 Blizzard. Akhé pȟeží tȟó uŋkálipi kte. We will walk upon green grass again!

Speakers in this episode include: Harriet Brings (Oglála), Edna Plenty Arrows (Oglála), Dellmarie DullKnife-Bradfield (Oglála), Florida Young Bull Bear (Ogála), Robert Two Crow (Oglála), and Alex FireThunder (Oglála).

We can finally say that spring has arrived and it’s actually starting to look like it. In this episode we discuss birds, namely the meadowlark who returns in the springtime. We discuss various experiences seeing and hearing these birds speak Lakota, as well as some stories that talk about them as well. We would like to dedicate this episode to the late Kevin Locke who is remembered talking about meadowlarks every spring.

Speakers in this episode include: Florida Young Bull Bear – Jealous Of Him (Oglála), Gerald Yellow Hawk (Cheyenne River), Ben Black Bear Jr (Sičháŋǧu), Clifford Canku (Sisíthuŋwaŋ/Waȟpéthuŋwaŋ Dakhóta), Peter “Pahá” Hill, Robert Two Crow (Oglála), and Alex FireThunder (Oglála). We also hear a song titled, “Meadowlark”, played on the flute by the late Kevin Locke.

As Lakota people, we are all familiar with the sight of beautiful star quilts wrapped around those being honored or draped over a couch or used as curtains in front of windows. In this episode, we visit with various Lakota speakers about their understanding of the history and significance of the star on our quilts. Additionally, some speakers shared stories of receiving their first star quilt, and memories of their mothers quilting. Lastly, we discuss that many students today receive a star quilt at their graduation ceremonies and we wanted to congratulate all of the Classes of 2023 across Lakota country with a Graduation Honoring Song sung by Austin Last Horse.

Speakers in this episode include: Austin Last Horse (Oglála), Imogene Roy (Oglála), Clause Two Elk (Sičháŋǧu), Delmarie Dullknife-Bradfield (Oglála / Šahíyela), Alvon Little Whiteman (Oglála), Andrea Reddest (Oglála), Robert Two Crow (Oglála), and Alex FireThunder (Oglála). We also hear a prayer song sung by Robert Two Crow’s great-granddaughter, Elise Gutierrez (Oglála).

This past June of 2023, we held the Lakota Summer Institute (LSI) in our beautiful Ȟesápa in Rapid City, SD. We partnered with Rural America Initiatives to hold two weeks of intensive Lakota language learning and teacher training. Bringing people together who are passionate about learning, teaching, speaking and advocating for the language is always a beautiful experience. This year, we were so fortunate to have a number of fluent speakers and elders amongst us. During one of the sessions, Rick Two Dogs and Ben Black Bear Jr took turns relaying funny jokes and stories in Lakota. In the room you could see learners and teachers together sharing the medicine of laughter. Amidst the busy summer, the co-hosts for Wičháho Blihélya have not been able to meet to record an episode, however, we wanted to share this glimpse into the joke session that occurred at LSI this year.

Speakers in this episode include: Rick Two Dogs (Oglála), Ben Black Bear JR (Sičháŋǧu), and Alex FireThunder (Oglála).