Tell us
Your
Story
Preserving Language.
Revitalizing Traditions.
There are very few first language speakers of the Dakota language remaining on Wahpeton Dakota Nation. They are our knowledge holders who represent our last opportunity to record our language and revitalize the traditions that have been our people's way for centuries.
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Today the Northern Dakota Language Group gathers regularly to hear elders share their language and views of the world to help revitalize their cultural practices through storytelling.
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Revitalizing Traditions
Role of Storytelling
These stories are infused with our centuries old beliefs and values that capture our connection and responsibility as a people to all elements of the earth— the animals, the lands, the waters, and the sky.
A Living Language
These stories orally passed from generation to generation give meaning to our lives. They bring our traditional practices alive with deeply held values; they guide how we govern; and they align us in the knowing that we are all one and all relationships need to be respected and valued.
A Few of
Our
Stories
Creation Stories
Creation story goes here.
A Story
Another story goes here.
A Story
Another story goes here.
About Us
We are the Northern Dakota Language Group. A Canadian grassroots collective of northern Dakota people committed to preserving our native language and revitalizing our traditions.
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We are proud that our culture is matriarchal and this group is led by Lois Standing in consultation with her father, Cy Standing, a first language speaker from the Wahpeton Dakota Nation.
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Our group is small and growing. This website is JUST the beginning of sharing our journey with our members to login and access videos of elders speaking Dakota and sharing stories as well as an invitation for sponsors, partners, and donors who want to support our collective.
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Here are member's quotes sharing how this group is enriching lives and community.
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Lois Standing
“The timing is critical, and we have the opportunity to work with our first language speakers in our revitalization efforts. Gathering their stories have supported our language group’s goal in developing strategies for the future.”
Chief John Waditaka
"The program is community-driven and that’s what makes this initiative vital to retaining our stories. Our community members really see the importance of revitalizing our traditional language"
Cy Standing
“We also spend time . . . connecting with our Dakota names, connecting with the land. It is important for us to begin by connecting in this way so that we can truly connect with who we are as a people through our traditional language.”
Contact Us
We are on a historic journey to preserve our cultural legacy and explore how it can be part of building a strong foundation for growing our people, communities, and sharing our stories in service of a richer future for all people.
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Join us as a member, sponsor, partner or donor.
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We look forward to hearing your story.
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