Upper Sioux Community Dakota Revitalization Project
The three (3) long-range goals of the Upper Sioux Community regarding the preservation and continuation of the Dakota langauge and culture are directly tied to the Mission Statement adopted in 1996 and delineated in the 2008 Dakota Language Revitalization Tribal Resoulution that promises to: "1) [m]ake Dakota Language revitalization the highest priority 2)... implement all strategies to revive the Dakota language; and 3)... take necessary steps to raise up a new generation of speakers."
1. The outcome for the preservation and analysis of 'Iapi Oaye' focuses on the publications of the Dakota Language newspaper between 1871-1939. Dakota Language Teacher Charles Thode, now on staff as a part time Dakota Language Specialist will continue his work going through each publication, documenting the words used and analyzing how the language was used and changed over the decades of publication. As well as making a glossary of words, some of which have not been documented in other language dictionaries. The goal of the project will be to use the texts as a learning tool. USC members will be able to see, and use the older text compared to today's context, also being able to see how Dakota life was narrated in the late 1800's and into the early 1900's. 2. The outcome for supporting Dakota Language use within the Community through the THPO Department will be having dedicated tribal staff to support and encourage language use within the community. During the 2022 community-wide survey one of the observations was a lack of Dakota language use throughout the community. That has changed over the last few years with help from tribal staff. Is it the THPO department that has been and will continue to oversee the MIAC Language Grant and now employee two experienced language speakers.