The essence of Dakota language recalls, instructs and heals our inherent relationship with Creation, which is essential to the continuation of indigenous communities. Dakota language, culture and history will strengthen Dakota identity, kinship and community well being.
Our obstacles include the reality of our language with now only 8 remaining first generation speakers within the four Dakota communities; the impact of intergenerational grief and the loss of identity and misplaced values within our community; limited organizational capacity. We believe we can overcome these challenges and achieve our goals by:
- Building a strong language program that transmits Dakota life ways
- Growing and sustaining the base of language activists who lead this movement
- Securing resources to support the vision
