Lakota Language & History - <i>Into The West</i>

History & Government
Lakota Language & History - Into The West
By Cynthia Kirkeby
Aug 26, 2006, 23:45 PST

Grade Level: Grade 5-12, College

Subject: Lakota Language and History

Keywords:

Author: Cynthia Kirkeby

Affiliation: ClassBrain, Inc.

Date: 16 May, 2005

Duration: 1-2 class periods

Film: Into The West (mini-series)

Website: http://alt.tnt.tv/itw/itw_main.html

Background: The Lakota people play a central role in the mini-series, Into the West. Learn the language and the history of this amazing Native American tribe.

Project: Illustrated Lakota Language Journal
Visit the links below and choose a category or two of Lakota words. Take a blank journal and add an English word on the left side and the Lakota word on the right side. Use collage to illustrate the words.

The Lakota People

The Lakota (or Lakhota) refer to a group of native Americans that are part of the larger Dakota tribe, which is broken into three dialectical groups: the Dakota, the Lakota, and the Nakota. These tribes are also know as the Sioux, although Native Americans generally consider that to be a derogatory term.

Lakota Language

Dakoteyah Wogdaka! - Talk Dakota
This is a wonderful set of interactive language lessons. The audio segments are wonderful! They allow you to hear the proper pronunciation of the Dakota language.
Source: Women’s Health Education Resource Center

Dakota Sounds: Lesson 1
Learn the basics of the Dakota language pronunciation. Clicking on each color leads to another sound.
This site is linked through the Wayback Machine.
Source: Native Language Center

Lakhota Words & Phrases
This site has eleven different categories of Lakhota words that have been translated into English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Learn the months of the year, directions, colors, numbers, money, wildlife, the human body, people, food, household items, and popular sayings.
Source: Lakhota.com

Lakota Immersion Computer Programs
These children’s stories are told in Lakota as part of an immersion language program. There are seven Shockwave storybooks with full audio, told in the Lakota language.
Source: Loneman School Lakota Immersion Program

Lakota History

An Introduction to Dakota Culture and History
This introduction to the Dakota tribe is an excellent primer on the Dakota language, their view of nature, the Oglala mythology, spirituality, important terms and concepts, and The Dakota Conflict.
Source: Kevin L. Callahan - University of Minnesota

Lakota History
This is a great collection of links to Lakota biographies of famous Lakota leaders, Lakota authors, medicine men, and more. There are also links to significant events in the Lakota history.
Source: Creighton University

The Lakota of The Plains
Learn about how the Lakota Indians related to the natural world in art, astronomy, and the world around them.
Source: Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Native People of Minnesota
The Lakota are part of the Dakota Nation, also known as the Western Dakota. They were the first tribe of the Dakota to leave the forested areas, and their name means “forest dweller.” Learn all about this native American tribe’s history, food, shelter, clothing, celebrations, and travel.
Source: Minnesota State University

First Americans
Take a look at the land, clothing, buffalo, housing, story, and leaders that had importance to the Lakota people. This site is simplified for younger students.
Source: Grade Schoolers