Lakota Immersion Teacher Carmen Eagle Pipe demonstrates how students open their day with prayer and circle time. The class acknowledges each direction by burning sage and acknowledging the animals which represent each direction. Ms. Eagle Pipe uses small animal shaped figures, which are acknowledged by passing them through sage smoke during circle time. Photo by Vi Waln
Education Code Focus of SGU Forum
By Vi Waln
Lakota Country Times Correspondent
www.lakotacountrytimes.com MISSION –The Rosebud Sioux Tribal Education Code was the focus of a forum held during the Annual Founder’s Day Celebration hosted by Sinte Gleska University (SGU). Several staff members from the Education Department presented to the public what their programs have been working on over the last year. Lakota curriculum, Lakota language immersion project and the revision of the Education Code were topics of discussion. Duane Hollow Horn Bear, SGU Lakota Studies department, facilitated the day’s events. He also gave an overview of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Lakota Language Orthography. This tool was developed by the late Albert White Hat, Sr. and the SGU Lakota Studies staff. It was adopted by the tribal council on December 13, 2012. The Orthography can be viewed on the Education Department website.
Small groups spent time discussing how to improve at least four areas identified in the Tribal Education Code. Photo by Vi Waln
Speaking entirely in Lakota, Mary Sue Walking Eagle gave an overview of the work done by the late Don Moccasin. Moccasin videotaped interviews with several Lakota-speaking elders before he passed away. The interviews were edited to add subtitles in English. Cindy Young, Education Department Director, gave an overview of the programs and services offered. These include the Higher Education Scholarship program, Lakota Tiwahe Center, Truancy Intervention Program and Lakota Immersion Project. Tuffy Lunderman, who serves on the Native American Student Achievement Advisory Council, spoke about the currently lawsuit some tribes have against the Bureau of Indian Education reorganization efforts. He also spoke about the need for public school reform, including the implementation of a meaningful curriculum aimed at ensuring the academic success of tribal students.
Facilitator Chris Bordeaux holds up one of the sheets containing the ideas generated by the group he led. Photo by Vi Waln
Lydia Whirlwind Soldier gave a presentation on the Lakota curriculum being developed by the Education department. This curriculum will eventually be available for classroom use. Carmen Eagle Pipe gave an overview of the Wakanyeja Tiokihe Oti, a Lakota language immersion project funded by the Education Department. The project serves pre-school students in a year-round classroom. The project is total immersion; staff present all lessons in Lakota. Eagle Pipe, speaking entirely in Lakota, showed the gathering how the students begin their day with circle time. An intricate medicine wheel painted on a large piece of canvas is laid on the floor. The students gather around and acknowledge each direction, as well as several animals which are the archetype of each direction. The students bless each of the animal shaped figures in sage smoke and place it on the medicine wheel in the appropriate direction. It is their way of beginning each day and acknowledging the universe.
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Long-time educator Roger Bordeaux talked about the school accreditation process. People involved in Indian Education believe it is time for tribes to assume control over accreditation of K-12 schools, as well as higher learning institutions located on tribal lands. Several small groups finished the day brainstorming ideas on tribal curriculum and standards, educators, school boards/governing bodies, as well as education policies and programs. Lunch was provided by Sinte Gleska University. Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter and download the new Lakota Country Times app today.
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