Resources
Click on the links below to practice speaking Dakota Iapi, our beautiful Dakota language!
Other Language Resources
- Dakota Language is taught in several other colleges and schools around the state, including Minneapolis Community & Technical College (MCTC), Metropolitan State University, and Concordia Language Village.
- Many communities sponsor Dakota language tables around the Twin Cities, including: Little Earth, Mendota, and the Minneapolis American Indian Center.
Educational Resources for Your School or Community
Documentary: To order a copy of Dakota Iapi Teunhindapi, a 55-minute film on the story of the Dakota language in Minnesota, please click here.
Handbook: Dakota Wicohan offers a four-color 24-page companion handbook to the Dakota Iapi Teunhindapi documentary. This user-friendly mini-book includes additional history, story, and reflective questions to inspire dialogue. To order copies, please click here.
Curriculum: Dakota Wicohan develops curriculum for Dakota learners and for students in Minnesota schools, including:
- Mni Sóta Maḳoce: The Dakota Homelands
In this new curriculum, Minnesota 6th graders gain an appreciation of the significant Dakota relationship to Mni Sóta Maḳoce. Through this lens, students will examine a new way of thinking about our relationship to the land and our shared history in this place. This 10-lesson unit has been made available to Minnesota schools through teacher trainings around the state. Learn more. - Dakota Itancanpi Kte Unkihduwiyayapi: We prepare ourselves to lead with wo’Dakota
This new curriculum invites Dakota community embers of all ages on a journey to explore and prepare ourselves to live and lead according to the Dakota way of life in the twenty-first century.
Note: Dakota Itaƞcaƞpi Kte Uƞkihduwiyayapi is not yet available for public distribution, but please check back soon!
Professional Development, Community Workshops and Documentary Screenings
Dakota Wicohan offers a wide variety of workshops for educators, schools, and community groups featuring, Dakota Iapi Teunhindapi: We Cherish the Dakota Language, our original documentary on the story of the Dakota language in Minnesota.
* Documentary Screenings: Dakota Wicohan is happy to screen Dakota Iapi Teunhindapi:
We Cherish the Dakota Language, the hour-long documentary on the history of the Dakota language revitalization movement in Minnesota we produced in 2013. This original film, based on interviews with Dakota elders, provides a powerful introduction to Dakota culture, history, and language and has proven effective for learners in diverse community settings. We also offer a 24-page, 4-color companion handbook which provides critical background content and resources for further inquiry.
* Introductory Documentary Screening & Workshop
Dakota Wicohan will provide a brief introduction to the film, screen the documentary, and host a brief question-and-answer period.
* Professional Development Workshop for Teachers, Schools, and Community Groups
Dakota Wicohan will screen the documentary for your group and hold a facilitated dialogue that will include questions specifically tailored to your group’s interests and needs. In addition, all participants will receive a copy of the companion handbook along with suggestions for how to use the materials in your school, community, or organization.
* Customized Professional Development Workshop
Dakota Wicohan is happy to work with you and your community or school to develop a customized training that addresses the specific needs of your staff and learners.
FFI: For more info on customizing your professional development workshop or documentary screening, please call Doris Stands, Dakota Wicohan: 507.697.6272 or via email: dakotawicohan@gmail.com. Sliding scale prices are available for communities without professional development funds. Pidamaya!