Iápi Wakán: Sacred Language

Duane Hollow Horn Bear

Listen to Duane share what he learned from his Elders and relatives about the History of his people, the Oceti Sakowin through storytelling.

Janna Wilson & Sonya Bird

Learn about the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization and how the University of Victoria works with community partners to deliver flexible community-based credit courses that help provide the foundational knowledge and skills for students to engage in, contribute to or initiate language revitalization initiatives in their homes, families, schools and communities.

Henry J. Quick Bear Sr. & Sarah Hart

LAKOLYA WAONIYA PROGRAM NOURISHING CULTURAL IDENTITY THROUGH LANGUAGE & CEREMONY - The Lak̇ota language is a key part of our strength and sovereignty as a nation. In 2021, In order to revitalize our language and culture, we launched a program to hire members of the Siċaŋġu Oyate to become fluent Lak̇ota speakers. The program is called Lak̇olya Waoniya — “Breathing Life into the Lak̇ota Language” — and is a paid, holistic development experience centered on developing Lakota language fluency and strengthening Lak̇ota lifeways. When we speak our language and practice our spiritual ways, we heal and restore ourselves and the Oyate. Young people grow up stronger when they hear their native language surrounding them in song, prayer, and laughter. Lak̇olya Waoniya is preparing the next generation of Lakota speakers so they can help teach and strengthen the next generation.

Oswald McKay

Oswald McKay shares stories and lessons in English and his first-language, Dakota. He shares the pride of his first-language with listeners.

Iris McKay (Short Interview)

DECOLONIZING AND PROMOTING OUR OČÉTI ŠAKÓWĮ LIFEWAYS attention is devoted to promoting settler ways of living that highlight colonialist ideals. In hindsight, we are attracting, promoting, and internalizing traumatic dehumanizing discourse that impacts our nagi (spirit) furthering harm to our cultural and linguistic autonomy. Decolonization is often unpleasant, contradictory and questions our beliefs and experiences. Our language is foundational to our well-being as Dakota, Nakota and Lakota people. It is our protection and provides guidance but first we must allow ourselves to think “wakán ič’ina - deem oneself sacred” as intended ̨́ by our Creator-Great Spirit. This presentation is meant to identify common sense approaches through language that will allow change and revelation, embarking on a personal decolonization discourse. By looking inward, we begin to define and make connections to our Očéti Šakówį lifeways, and further the dialogue for ourselves.