The Lakota Language Education and Resource Development Project - Based on the available information in the grant application, The Lakota Language Education and Resource Development Project at Oglala Lakota College aims to strengthen and sustain the Lakota language through three key initiatives. First, the project will develop an updated college-level textbook covering Levels I and II of Lakota language studies, replacing outdated materials from 1989 with modern teaching approaches and culturally relevant content. Second, they will create a new Lakota-English dictionary containing 3,000-5,000 words with audio recordings from fluent speakers, available in both digital and print formats. The dictionary will be owned and maintained by OLC, allowing for continued updates and expansion. Third, they will establish a Master-Apprentice Program that connects fluent speakers with advanced language learners in a structured immersion program. Participants will engage in at least six hours per week of immersive language use over a 15-week semester, including direct practice and cultural activities. Through these initiatives, the project aims to create sustainable resources for language learning while building a new generation of speakers who can carry the language forward. The project addresses the critical status of the Lakota language, as recent estimates indicate fewer than 1,000 fluent speakers remain, with most being over 65 years old.
