The SWO Dakota Language Institute.

Founded in 2002, the SWODLI has a main focus of creating language learning materials for our families, our schools and our community.

Dakota, classified as an endangered language, is a dialect of what was commonly called the "Sioux" language that is spoken by ten Dakota tribes and communities in the United States and by the Dakota people of Canada.  Once a flourishing language, today there are estimates of only a few hundred first language speakers.  Some of our Dakota communities have either none or only a handful of speakers.

In addition to creating printed language materials, the SWODLI also has an online learning system with our partner, Transparent Languages and is also in the process of creating iBooks for children.

The Staff

Everett BlackThunder, SWODLI Director

Janet Brown, Office Manager

Amanda Quinn, Graphic Designer

Leslie Neconish, Graphic Designer II

Kendra Hofland, Document/Recording Specialist

Spencer Wanna, Treasured Elder

Solomon “Harvey” Quinn, Treasured Elder

Gerald Thompson, Sr., Treasured Elder

Vine T. Marks, Sr., Treasured Elder

Beatrice Biddell, Treasured Elder

Patricia Gill-Eagle, Treasured Elder