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

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.

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.