Oswald McKay shares stories and lessons in English and his first-language, Dakota. He shares the pride of his first-language with listeners. 

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.

Jim will share knowledge, stories and information that he collected throughout his life journey and experiences.

A recording of a speech given by Harold Blacksmith in both English and his first language, Dakota. He shares stories of his life, the lessons he has been taught and intends to carry onto others. Blacksmith also shares the importance language has in his own and his community’s lives, and future generations.

A collection of bonus interviews conducted and produced by Lindell Haywahe, Amanda Leader, and William Alexander Yuzicapi. Our producers interviewed a variety of individuals so they could share their life journeys as fluent and student speakers of their languages.

In this first episode, Kristy shares about her desire to learn her Cree language and the strategies she used to develop and expand her vocabulary and eventually learn Cree phrases.

Her Excellency Mary Simon had a conversation with pîkiskwêwin producers at the First Nations University of Canada.

Episode Two is Tinker’s journey to know himself, and his preparation for a whole new journey.

Vanessa Goodthunder's presentation focused on the Dakota language and Wicohan (Way of Life) that is taught to children from birth to five-years-old. Her goal is to expand this program to older children. She says the five-year-olds will be co-teachers in the advanced program.

In his presentation, Arvol Looking Horse talks about the importance of World Peace and Prayer Day--June 21, and his life journey that brought him to the Oceti Sakowin conference.

Gary Tinker shares memories of his childhood growing up between a foster home in the south, and as one of 15 children at his home in Pinehouse, Northern Saskatchewan.

Podcast host Darla Ponace discusses world views in collision.

In “wîsahkêcâhk Braids the Sun,” Jesse Archibald-Barber reworks the traditional story of how wîsahkêcâhk snared the sun to make earth warmer and more comfortable, only to soon regret the calamitous consequences of his shenanigans!

Michif hosts, Alex and Beatrice Pelletier continue their traditional cooking with hamburger soup and fry bread.

Cree knowledge keeper Solomon Ratt and teacher Darian Agecoutay discuss the Cree months of opaskowipîsim, ohpahowipîsim, nôcihitowipîsim.

Cree knowledge keeper Solomon Ratt and teacher Darian Agecoutay discuss the Cree months of pimahamowipîsim, kaskatinowipîsim and
thithikopîwipîsim.

Cree knowledge keeper Solomon Ratt and teacherDarian Agecoutay discuss the Cree months of niskipîsim, athîkipîsim and opiniyâwîwipîsim.

Cree knowledge keeper Solomon Ratt and teacherDarian Agecoutay discuss the Cree months of opâwahcikanasîs, kisîpîsim, mikisiwipîsim.

Cree Language keeper Solomon Ratt and Cree teacher Darian Agecoutay discuss the Cree calendar based on activities done during each season.

Cree podcast host Charlotte Ross speaks with BillCook and Dr. Kevin Lewis about their educational journeys as indigenous students.