Wiwayang Waci Oitancan, Khuwa Keyapi na Wicasa Yatanpi Hemaca e lo. I belong to the Bad Moccasin Tiyospaye 'extended family' of the Lakhota/Dakhota Nations. My name is Waunspe Wakhuwa - Pursues Knowledge. Proud 4/4 Lakhota. Full time M.A. Degree student at CU Boulder dedicated to the preservation and the revitalization of my rich and illustrious Lakhota "Sioux" language. What is absolutely crucial and in most aspects vital - our Indigenous languages are dying - many of our youth are not taking the time to learn their own native ancestral language, or, there are no resources available e.g. language is already dead/extinct (and in many cases and communities this dilemma holds true). Take the time to visit with the elderly and knowledgeable speakers i.e., medicine people in your community! The only way our language will survive is through TOTAL IMMERSION. A total Immersion school must be built and supported via tribal government and communities. "Lakota, one language of the people often called Sioux, is now endangered. Only about 14% of the Sioux population now speak Lakota, and the average age of Lakota speakers is about 65. Although there is considerable print documentation of the language, no archive of conversational data exists. This project will record, annotate, and archive for electronic access videos of Lakota conversations. Two or three native speakers will be trained to become ethnographers and linguists, who, as cultural insiders, will have access to natural conversation in settings where speakers interact in unselfconscious ways. In addition, as trained researchers, they will provide professional quality data for research. The results of this research and training will contribute substantially to revitalization efforts. Language revitalization programs depend crucially on the existence of materials that document the language in everyday interactions and on there being dedicated and capable leaders who can inspire the community to use these materials. By training native speakers to be researchers, this project will prepare highly qualified people to undertake these leadership roles." -NSF Grant Abstract, 2006. It is very crucial that all Indigenous speakers preserve their language. Speak your language everyday to your children, coworkers, friends, family in every imaginable setting, to the best of your ability like texting, emailing, poetry, and even Hip Hop lyrics! Can you imagine the endless possibilities our language is capable of accomplishing? It's endless! These are just a few simple ideas on how to save our languages. It's all up to us individually and collectively. Make your voice heard and tell your tribal governments and communities to build TOTAL IMMERSION SCHOOLS! Ho Hecetu Yelo! -Sid Bad Moccasin
Myspace Layouts
