Maȟpíya Lúta Owáyawa 2015 Lakȟól’iya Wičhóthi - Recap

2nd Annual Lakota Language Camp comes to a successful end.

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JUNE 19 // RECAP

It was a misty and rainy morning as camp staff, parents and students began checking in for the 2nd Annual Maȟpíya Lúta Owáyawa Lakȟól’iya Wičhóthi (Red Cloud Indian School Lakota Language Camp). During the four-day camp Red Cloud Indian School students and alumni engaged in language-learning and cultural activities, and at various points became the teachers themselves.

A language often taught solely in the classroom, Red Cloud Indian School has developed a K-12 Lakota Language curriculum that extends beyond classroom walls. This approach proved to be a key to success for this year’s camp. “I think because the camp is more laid back than a traditional classroom, it allows the kids to feel comfortable to use the language and interact with their peers. Providing that opportunity for the students makes it all worth it,” said Melissa Strickland, the Lakota Language Project coordinator at Red Cloud. “The students are more fearless with using the language [this year]. They work together and help each other.”

Many of the students who attended camp last year returned to participate and serve as mentors for the new campers. Participants were organized into three thiyóšpaye (family), with a moniker to carry with them throughout: waŋblí (eagle), matȟó (bear) and heȟáka (elk). Group activities included learning to harvest and eat traditional foods of the Lakȟota, cutting and drying meat, and lessons about the thípi, first building models and later constructing their own.

One of the hallmarks of the camp was a new activity added this year: a haŋ wačhípi, or night dance. On the fourth night of camp the greater Pine Ridge community was invited to an evening of social dances, handgames and food. Camp staff and family members sat around the campfire as the sun hung low near the horizon, watching young campers teach Lakȟota games to one another, connecting across generations.

The next morning, as the sun illuminated the thípi and the birds broke the morning silence, the students, tired but in high spirits, packed up camp. Newly beaded pouches, knife sheaths and čheyáka tea ingredients, along with a long vocabulary of newly-learned words and phrases, served as reminders of a good, full week. “It was so cool! I loved playing glow in the dark handgames,” said fifth grader Adriano Rama. “I want to come back next year because it was such a fun experience!”

We cannot thank enough our partners in this effort - your impact on our students, community and shared mission is invaluable. Our great thanks goes to the South Dakota Community Foundation, Grotto Foundation, Better Way Foundation and Endangered Language Fund. Plus Chante Etan LLC for the two tȟípi, the Intertribal Buffalo Council for the donated buffalo meat, and all the families and friends that donated water, snacks and immeasurable time! 


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2nd Annual Lakota Language Camp!
 

 


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