Native Languages Center

LANGUAGE PROGRAMS ›

Sisseton Wahpeton College

Lake Traverse Reservation; Agency Village, SD
swcollege.edu ➚

Language

Dakota

Academic Programs

Language in the Community

Sisseton Wahpeton College (SWC) works with the tribal community through the Voices of Our Ancestors program on an intensive full-time Dakota language program. The program combines college-level courses in the Dakota Language Teaching Certificate with time spent with elders and others to develop speaking and listening skills and through inclusion of cultural activities.

SWC also houses the Center for Dakota Linguistics, or Kaksiza Caŋhdeṡka (Hoop Hollow), which works to produce written language materials. They have developed a 10,000-word dictionary, language and teaching materials, and work to produce other resources. The community also includes the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Dakotah Language Institute ➚ that works to create publications to assist in teaching and learning of language.

Language

The Sisseton Wahpeton (Sisiṭuƞwaƞ-Waḣpeṭuƞwaƞ) dialect is a variety of Eastern Dakota. The Dakota language is primarily divided into two main, closely related dialects, often called the "D" dialects, which are part of the larger Očeti Šakowiŋ (Sioux) language family: Eastern Dakota (Santee-Sisseton) and Western Dakota (Yankton-Yanktonai). While distinct in vocabulary and grammar, these dialects are largely mutually intelligible.

Teaching Requirements in South Dakota

To teach Native languages in South Dakota individuals can obtain a 5-year renewable Native American Language and Culture Permit without a standard teaching degree. ➚ Requirements include an oral/written proficiency, a 3-hour methodology course, and recommendation from a tribal language board or recognized institution. ➚

The Certificate in Dakota Language Teaching from Sisseton Wahpeton College meets the requirements for individuals to apply for the Native American Language & Culture Permit.

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The map below shows the locations of the 37 TCUs across the country. To learn more about each TCU and the language programs offered within those institutions, hover over each pin on the map.

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