Jun 06, 2007

Lakota: Language Course for Educators


A Lakota language immersion programme has been set up in Chamberlain to help educators better understand the American Indian culture.

A Lakota language immersion programme has been set up in Chamberlain to help educators better understand the American Indian culture.

Below is an article published by Argus Leader:

A Lakota language immersion program June 24-29 at St. Joseph Indian School in Chamberlain aims to help educators understand American Indian culture in South Dakota.

The first-time program has room for 20 participants, who will receive free lodging and meals. The effort, part of Gov. Mike Rounds’ 2010 education initiative, is to help educators help students by understanding their culture.

“Native American students make up about 10 percent of the population in public schools,” said Mary Stadick Smith of the Education Department. “Unfortunately, when you look at achievement scores, the American Indian subgroup does not do as well as the whole student population. We’re always looking at what we can do to help close that gap.”

Francis Whitebird, Ben Black Bear Jr., Sandra Black Bear and Philomene White Lance will lead the classes, which will focus on speech rather than writing.

Participants will study history, song, dance and spirituality and take part in the sacred “inipi,” or sweat.