What nation represents each direction in Dakota tradition? Why do Dakota people pray to the different directions? Why is a pipe and tobacco often used for prayer? What is prayer to me? Is it important to who I am? Who taught me to pray? What kinds of things do I pray for? Why?
Where is St. Michael’s Boarding School? What years has it been open? Why were people punished for speaking indigenous languages in the boarding schools in the past? Why were students not allowed to pray in their traditional language? What was the goal of the boarding schools in the past? Have I ever attended a school…
Why are drugs becoming more of a problem in some places? In what ways do drugs and alcohol destroy families? How might law enforcement help to curb the problems of drugs in communities? Has my family been impacted negatively by someone using drugs? What happened? Have I ever witnessed drug or alcohol addiction destroy a…
Why is it important for children/young people to have a strong knowledge of their relatives? How can people find out about their relatives if they don’t know them? What do I know about my extended family? Are there relatives that are close but I haven’t met them before? Does knowing about my family and extended…
What is a wake? When do wakes happen and what kinds of things happen during a wake? How does translation cause meaning to be lost? Is humor important in my family? What kinds of things does my family find funny? Have I ever tried to tell a joke that my friends/family find funny, but a…
Why was food hard to come by in the past? Where did people get it before there were stores and restaurants? Why would it be especially important to not waste anything during these times? When did things become more easily accessible? Do I know where the food I eat comes from? Where does it come…
Why did people have to haul water with a sled in the past? Where did they get it? What did they haul it in? What are kerosene lamps? Why were kerosene lamps needed in the past? Is there someone in my life that has told me about what life was like long ago? What do…
Why is it important to take care of the land? What are the animals that live in this area? What are examples of plants that live in this area? How do I take care of the land I live on? What are some examples? Is it important to me? Why or why not? Do I…
How do urban areas and rural areas differ from one another? How are they similar? Where is St. Michael’s Boarding School? What is it like to attend a boarding school? Do I have experience living in a large city? If so, what was/is it like? How is living in a large city different from living…
Who are the Elders in the community where I live? How is someone designated as an Elder? In what ways were many Elders impacted by boarding schools? Who are Elders in my life that I rely on for wisdom and advice? How did I come to know the Elders in my life? Do they mostly…