The goal of the Cansayapi Dakota Iapi (Language) Program is to establish a permanent Dakota language program at Lower Sioux that promotes continuous language learning and speaking opportunities across the generations and community.
Reestablish the Lower Sioux Cultural Resource dedicated solely towards tribal youthby hiring workforce to manage and oversee programming. Increase cultural, language and beliefs into all youth programs - develop and format cultural based youth programming. Strengthen and open dialogue between the youth and elder populations to pass on language and cultural knowlege; build partnership with Lower Sioux Senior Services. Utilize technology to aid in education and awareness; create technological resources geared specifically toward youth language learning.
Cansayapi will: 1) Increase teaching tools for the community by translating eight (8) curriculum units for the Dakota Immersion School and developing a ?second-year high school Dakota language syllabus that meets ACTFL world standards for listening and speaking; 2) Introduce and build the Dakota language skills of 122 community members; and 3) extend Dakota language use across the community through expanded technologically-based language interpretation at Lower Sioux?s Historic Site.
Increase rural community capacity to teach and transmit Dakota language. Create a safe, nurturing immersion - learning environment that actively engages 15 intergenerational families in learning and speaking Dakota together through traditional Dakota lifeways.
