Dakhóta Iápi Okhódakičhiye (DIO) was created out of an international need for Dakota language materials to be implemented for language learning in the home, community and classroom. Out of necessity for the language to live and thrive for generations despite the pandemic, we envisioned the Dakota Language Distance Learning (DLDL) program. This program offers daily, online Dakota language classes to support distance learning as school districts across Minnesota navigate the impacts of COVID-19.