Capturing the Spoken Language

The Dakota Language Oral History Project was the response to the aging fluent speaker population. The window of opportunity is closing, making it imperative to capture the Dakota language, historical information and cultural values through recorded interviews.The first segment of the documentary, Protecting our Language, explains how and why Dakota has become an endangered language. The second segment of the documentary, Hope for the Future,  showcases both the wisdom and advice from our elders, as well as current Daktoa language revitalization efforts going on around the state.Funding has come from multiple grants. An initial grant was received from the MN Historical Society at the beginning of the project. Subsequently, Dakota Wicohan was awarded a grant from the Administration for Native Americans and a second grant from the MN Historical Society through the Legacy funds.  All have provided the funds to interview and transcribe.  Planning for the editing and production of a teaching tool is underway.  Upon completion, the documentary will be widely distributed to the Dakota communities, learners and schools.  

The following are recorded speakers that have passed on.  Their legacy continues...

Doug Peterson (Wakan Hdi To)Upper Sioux Community1936-2007Doug was the first speaker to work with Dakota Wicohan