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Lakota Studies Department

Karen Lone Hill, Department Chair Phone
Wilmer Mesteth, Lakota Studies Instructor, Phone
Charles White Buffalo, Lakota Studies Instructor, Phone
Verine White, Lakota Studies Instructor, Phone
Patrick Lee, J.D., Lakota Studies Instructor, Phone
Marcell Bull Bear, Lakota Studies Instructor, Phone
Corey Yellow Boy, Lakota Studies Instructor, Phone
Matthew Uses the Knife, Lakota Studies Instructor, Phone

The Lakota Studies Department offers four degrees and a Lakota Language Certificate. The department also provides the focus for the entire college in maintaining a Lakota perspective. All students are required to take courses offered by the Lakota Studies Department in order to increase their knowledge of Lakota heritage and to prepare themselves for contributing to the continuation of the Lakota Oyate traditions and values. The department provide assistance to other departments, offers community workshops/forums, assists in the maintenance of materials relevant to tribal history and culture, and serve to help maintain the Lakota language.

Courses within the Lakota Studies Department range across desciplines. They are taught according to accepted standards within the disciplines of art, music, language, literature, history, political science, psychology, sociology, science, and religion.

Lakota Studies Philosophy and Outcomes

Philosophy Statement

The Lakota Studies Department will provide a safe learning environment that stimulates students to reach their highest potential through a relevant teaching model that reflects diverse Lakota ideology in language, values, kinship, community, worldview, etc. for a better understanding of Lakota life and culture as an ongoing dynamic process.

Lakota Studies Outcomes/Goals

Goal A: Students will have a clear understanding of the Lakota worldview and philosophy.

As a result of taking courses related to this goal, students will:

  1. Identify, explain, and apply concepts of Lakota ceremonies.
  2. Apply respect for the interrelatedness of all things in this world.
  3. Identify, explain, and apply Lakota kinship concepts in everyday situations.
  4. Identify and apply concepts of mental and physical wellness.

Goal B: Student will gain an understanding of him/herself.

As a result of taking courses related to this goal, students will:

  1. Identify and explain his/her being.
  2. Identify, explain, and apply his/her place within the tiwahe (family).
  3. Identify, explain, and apply his/her place within the oyate (nation).
  4. Identify, explain, and apply the oyate (nation's) place within makasitomniya (the world).

Goal C: Students will gain knowledge of and communicate effectively in speaking and writing the Lakota language.

As a result of taking courses related to this goal, students will:

  1. Communicate basic ideas in written and spoken Lakota language.
  2. Communicate complex ideas in written and spoken Lakota language.
  3. Identify, explain, and apply skills in Lakota language teaching methodology.
  4. Identify, explain, and apply knowledge of Lakota language evolution.

Goal D: Students will have an understanding of tribal history and implications of sovereignty.

As a result of taking courses related to this goal, students will:

  1. Identify and explain Lakota treaties with the United States.
  2. Identify and explain the implications of sovereignty and apply to contemporary situations.
  3. Identify and explain the concepts of traditional government.
  4. Identify and explain the concepts of the IRA government.

Goal E: Students will gain an understanding of Lakota arts, music, dance, literature, and traditional healing.

As a result of taking courses related to this goal, students will:

  1. Identify and explain the history of Lakota arts.
  2. Identify, explain, and apply traditional and contemporary Lakota music and dance.
  3. Identify, explain, and apply Lakota oral literature into contemporary situations.
  4. Identify, explain, and apply Lakota traditional plants, foods, and herbs for mental and physical wellness.

Lakota Studies

Lakota Studies Home Page

Degree Offerings

BA in Lakota Studies

BS in Lakota Studies Education

AA in Lakota Studies

AA in Tribal Law

Lakota Language Certification

Degree Goals, Objectives and Assessment

Degree Application

Lakota Studies Links...

Lakota Studies Resources

Projects

Digital files

Computer support

Requesting translations

General Information

Visiting OLC

College centers

Course schedule

Lakota Language Speech Contest

Lakota Language Speech Rules

Lakota Langugae Speech Agenda

Lakota Language Photo Release Form

Department Resources

News and Events