Code Switch

Revisiting the fight over the Lakota language as Trump targets "divisive narratives"

10 snips
Apr 16, 2025
Christina Kala, a producer at NPR, delves into the critical battle for the Lakota language against the backdrop of political challenges. She discusses the urgency of language preservation as the number of fluent speakers declines. The conversation explores ownership and the rights related to cultural storytelling, as well as the ongoing efforts within the Lakota Nation to revitalize their language. Notably, she highlights legal clashes over language resources and how community-driven initiatives are crucial for empowering future generations.
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ANECDOTE

Dolores Taken Alive's Dedication

  • Dolores Taken Alive, a fluent Lakota speaker, prioritized her language as her grandfather advised.
  • She taught in Standing Rock for 40+ years and hosted a Lakota language radio show.
INSIGHT

Language Endangerment

  • Boarding schools' English-only policies endangered Native languages.
  • The 1990 Native American Language Act aims to protect these languages, but revitalization is crucial.
ANECDOTE

Jan Ulrich's Lakota Journey

  • Jan Ulrich, a Czech linguist, learned Lakota after finding a dictionary.
  • He co-founded the Lakota Language Consortium (LLC) to create reliable Lakota language resources.
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