Dedicated to Dorothy Gill

Dedicated to David Seaboy

Tiospa Zina Tribal School is embarking on a journey of fusing technology with culture. In the Dakotah culture, it's an ongoing struggle to keep a sacred language - DAKOTAH - at the forefront of its people. Due to the many influences of dominant cultures that distract the youth, we need to remain resolute in helping each generation retain their unique heritage that is expressed only through their language. This is the cornerstone of every great nation.

The Board of Education, administration, staff, elders, various community members and tribal leaders are making efforts to provide digital documents that use printed Dakotah text with corresponding Dakotah audio. This endeavor of using an aural-oral approach by hearing Dakotah words spoken continues the time honored tradition of the elders. In order to strengthen this aural-oral struggle with the language and the fact that technology is providing those salient features that attract the interest of everyone, Tiospa Zina is creating a Dakotah Language Toolbox (DLT). The DLT begins with the Dakotah Alphabet in audio based illustrations and text, continues with audio based Dakotah Grammar documents to help gain an understanding to the construct of using Dakotah words in sentences, utilizes audio based Dakotah English and English Dakota Dictionaries as supporting aides, and is further enhanced with a collection of audio based lessons, songs, history and Dakotah Stories written and illustrated by students, elders and various community groups. All the text and graphic images in these toolbox documents are connected to audio files so that one will hear the spoken Dakotah word. We are continuing this effort to keep the Dakotah Language at the forefront to retain the culture that gives to the world a unique perspective of life. If any organization is interested in our language journey, we would be more than happy to present and share our thoughts and ideas.