American Indian OIC Language Revitalization Project

The project's first objective is to teach Takoda Prep High School students Dakota and Ojibwe language, so they achieve a cursory mastery of one or both languages. We anticipate students achieving a level of proficiency such that they are comfortable holding basic conversations with fellow classmates, family and elders. AIOIC believes language instruction will improve graduation rates by demonstrating a commitment to the inclusion and cultural affirmation of Native high school students in a public school system. This is the second objective that AIOIC's project seeks to achieve. AIOIC will offer regular Dakota and Ojibwe language instruction at both Takoda Prep high school and in its Adult Education/GED program. Our Indigenous Language Instructor & Cultural Coordinator will integrate cultural components into language courses and activities to promote learning and contextual integration of the language. The coordinator is also responsible for integrating American Indian culture and practices into the education programs' curricula to ensure programming provides culturally relevant learning opportunities to our students. The third objective is to increase the number of people exposed to Dakota and Ojibwe language in order to revitalize the language. As part of their course requirements, students will identify people in their life with whom they can share the language they have learned. Cultural events offered through the project will also give the greater community opportunities to engage in language practicum through cultural practices and ceremonies. This will raise awareness of the Dakota and Ojibwe languages, spur excitement to continue learning the language(s) and will reinforce classroom-learned skills by providing opportunities to practice speaking in non-academic settings.