Iris McKay

Sep. 27

Air Date: September 27, 2024

Summary

DECOLONIZING AND PROMOTING OUR OČÉTI ŠAKÓWĮ LIFEWAYS attention is devoted to promoting settler ways of living that highlight colonialist ideals. In hindsight, we are attracting, promoting, and internalizing traumatic dehumanizing discourse that impacts our nagi (spirit) furthering harm to our cultural and linguistic autonomy. Decolonization is often unpleasant, contradictory and questions our beliefs and experiences. Our language is foundational to our well-being as Dakota, Nakota and Lakota people. It is our protection and provides guidance but first we must allow ourselves to think “wakán ič’ina - deem oneself sacred” as intended ̨́ by our Creator-Great Spirit. This presentation is meant to identify common sense approaches through language that will allow change and revelation, embarking on a personal decolonization discourse. By looking inward, we begin to define and make connections to our Očéti Šakówį lifeways, and further the dialogue for ourselves.

**SERIES**

Iápi Wakán: Sacred Languages

**HOSTS & PRODUCERS**
Lindell Haywahe, Amanda Leader, William Alexander Yuzicapi

Episode Guest

Iris is a member of Čeǧa Kʾina Oyáde she is part Nakóta and Dakóta. Iris’s traditional education began at the knee of her grandparents who raised her in a Nakóta speaking home, her kuši was part Dakota, she credits her to many of her life choices. The teachings she received were strict and necessary which were a part of the wičoȟa. Iris continued her learning by entering the Western education system where she earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the First Nations University of Canada and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Regina. Iris has held many professional roles in her 25 years plus career in Indigenous education; however, she credits her real education from her kušįtʾkupi wičóʾiʾe. It’s these teachings she got that reinforced her worldview to be who you are supposed to
be as intended by Creator-Great Sprit. With this in mind, Iris continues to champion the lifeways of Nakota/Dakota while enjoying life travelling and dancing powwow across North America with her Wipazoka Wakpa Dakota husband.

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