The Cheyenne River Youth Project announced today that it will be hosting a “Lakota Language Weekend” for adult and teen beginners at its Eagle Butte campus on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24-25. Held in conjunction with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Language & Culture Institute, LLW is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.
The special event is open to general public, including youth ages 15-18. By the end of the weekend, learners will be able to introduce themselves, talk about their relatives, build sentences about the world around them—and more. It’s priced at $40 for the weekend, and scholarships are available.
“We encourage all who are interested in starting their Lakota language journey to register as soon as possible,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “Spots are limited to two classes of approximately 20 participants each.”
“We teach through games, group exploration and lots of speaking practice.” said Sunshine Carlow, director of the SRST Language & Culture Institute. “It’s a safe, encouraging and effective way to learn.”
CRYP will provide coffee and snacks during the morning and afternoon sessions. It also will open its Keya (Turtle) Cafe so attendees can purchase specialty coffees, smoothies, breakfast and lunch.
“Lakota Language Weekend is going to be a wonderful opportunity to get together with community members, neighbors, friends and family for two days of learning and fun,” Garreau said. “Learning our language is such a vital component of strengthening our connection to our culture and heritage.”
CRYP’s partner in this endeavor, SRST Language & Culture Institute, is dedicated to the maintenance and revitalization of the Lakota and Dakota languages. It offers year-round language events for all levels of learners and fluent speakers, and it co-hosts the Lakota Summer Institute at Sitting Bull College. To reserve your space for Lakota Language Weekend on Feb. 24-25, and to learn more about the weekend’s activities, call 701-854-8587 or visit facebook.com/srstlci.
To stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook (/LakotaYouth), Twitter (@LakotaYouth) and Instagram (@waniyetuwowapi).
The Cheyenne River Youth Project, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.