Dakota Wicohan is a regional non-profit organization founded by a group of Dakota language speakers, learners and activists. Its primary goal is to build community through Dakota language renewal.Dakota Wicohan is a language support organization that is headquartered in Granite Falls, MN and serves the Dakota speaking communities throughout the state. Outreach includes Dakota speakers throughout Minnesota and the surrounding region.
Dakota Wicohan began the summer of 2001 at the grassroots level of the Dakota community. Given the rate of language loss and decline, it was imperative to identify a revitalization method that would prove most effective in preserving the Dakota language.
Through private foundation, tribal and volunteer support, the work of Dakota Wicohan continues.:::::::::::
STATUS OF THE DAKOTA LANGUAGELanguage is th root of Dakota culture and also the characteristic of a SOVEREIGN NATION. The Dakota people, like many tribal nations, have survived, endured and even thrived despite policies of extermination, cultural assimilation and systemic government oppression.
While our language and culture has survived, the Dakota language is in a state of crisis. We estimate that there currently remain 15 fluent, first-language speakers of the Minnesota Dakota dialect. The severity of this loss is increased because these fluent speakers are also elders. Without renewal and revitalization of the Dakota language among Dakota people, particularly the youth, this dialect could cease to exist within ten to twenty years.OUR LANDS AND AREA OF FOCUSDakota bands of Sisseton, Wahpeton, Mdewakanton, Wahpekute are indigenous to Minnesota. Presently there are four federally recognized Dakota tribal communities in Minnesota. Dakota speaking tribal communities are also located in eastern North and South Dakota, Nebraska and Canada.
These reservation communities resulted from the forced exile of Dakota people in Minnesota following the Dakota War of 1862. The land along the Minnesota River and south central Mississippi is the traditional homeland of the Dakota, and the birthplace of the mother tongue.
Our board members are:
Gwen Griffin, Chair, Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota
Yvonne Leith, Vice Chair, Bdewakanton Dakota
Raine Cloud, Secretary/Treasurer, Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota
Justin Peters, Youth Representative, Bdewakanton Dakota
Erin Griffin, Program Coordinator, Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota
For further information you can email us at [email protected]
