What are ways the Dakota Language might be preserved and revived? Why is it important to prevent a language from being lost? What happens if a language is lost? How might communities work to become more and more united? What languages are or were spoken by members of my family? Do I know and understand…
What is sage used for? What is sweet grass used for? What is bitter root used for? What is timpsila? How is it used? What is wojapi? How did people prepare and preserve foods in the past? Are there plants that grow near me that I use for food or medicinal purposes? What are they? …
How does learning about life long ago help us today? Why are artifacts from long ago, especially our own family important? How can they help us? What is a “sunka”? What is a “sunka wakan”? How did they get these names? Do I know about my family’s history? What things do I know? Do I…
Who were the characters in this story? When and where did it take place? What are the most important points of the story? What do stories like this one teach us? How does the translation from Dakota to English impact the meaning of this story? Is there a story I know that was told over…
How did the resulting prison camps after the Minnesota Uprising in 1862 impact the Dakota People? What are some examples of Patricia’s Grandmother’s strength in difficult times? How did the formation of Reservations help her grandma to be reunited with her family? Do I know about stories of struggle from my ancestors? If so, how…
What is an origin story? Why are they important? What does it mean to come from the stars? What are examples of origin stories from around the country and world? Why are stories and storytelling so important to the carrying on of traditions, culture and identity? How did the Minnesota Uprising of 1862 impact the…
Why is it important to know who you are? What role does pride play in identity? What does the word “Wakanyeja” mean? Why is it important for indigenous people to know that their ancestors have lived in this place more than 10,000 years? How would I describe my own identity? What kinds of things do…
How did Patricia’s Grandpa get his name? How are animals not indigenous to this area named? i.e. elephants, giraffes, etc. How would a dictionary help with the development and preservation of the Dakota Language? Have I ever come across something I have never seen before and tried to explain it to someone? How did I…