Daḳota Iapi Ecéedaƞ Oape (Dakota Immersion Hour)

Haƞ Mitakuyapi,

Our tribe’s 10-Year Education Plan envisions the C̣aƞṡayapi Waḳaƞyeża Owayawa Oṭi will be full immersion by time our next school building opens in 2030. To begin, we have a short-term goal of being 50% immersion by 2026. With this, we are planning to have our first hour of operation from 8:00-9:15 am be a whole-center complete Dakota Immersion hour for staff starting Monday June 9^th, 2025.

In this Dakota language journey, kawitaya waṡaguƞk’iciyapte (together we are strengthening ourselves). We are starting first with the staff to help begin the process of switching to one language through-out a period of time to help identify words/phrases we do not know and to strengthen ourselves using the language we do know. This will be a trial-and-error period much like how an infant is trying to first walk. As we continue aƞpetu iyohi (every day), we will get stronger and stronger to stay in the language. We do not require but invite families to support the immersion hour during this time by trying to speak Dakota only. We have attached parent phrases you can say at drop-off and will have hanging throughout the classrooms and school to help talk about for example the child’s night, if picking up early, and words you can say to them when saying tokṡta aḳe.

Our next goal starts with the new school year on September 8^th, 2025 during the same 8:00am-9:15 am, will be to have all staff and families speak Dakota only.  With this first goal starting next Monday, please start thinking about words or phrases you say frequently during this drop-off time to help get these translated. You can let the teachers, family advocates, receptionist, or any CWOO staff know this phrase and we will get it translated for you. Another way is to email our Dakota language teachers to get it translated.

To begin to burn the fire, we must kindle. Let’s put our strengths together and start by making a safe environment to speak Dakota with everyone. To commemorate this time, we have art by Misty King attached here. We would like to host a coloring contest for all families and staff to color in the art (preferably using a maximum of 6 colors for printing purposes). Please take a sheet, color it in, and bring to the reception by June 23^rd, 2025. We will have policy council vote on their favorite design.

Pidamaya,

Tricia Baune
Director