Native Voices Endowment Recipients - 2017
Robert Brave Heart – Teaching Lakota (lkt) to Red Cloud Students
This project provides continued support of Maȟpíya Lúta Lakȟól Waúŋspewičhakhiyapi – Teaching Lakota to Red Cloud Students, Red Cloud Indian School’s strategic effort to develop and implement a comprehensive K-12th grade Lakota language curriculum.
Louise Dixey and Velda Racehorse – Shoshone (ssh) and Bannock (pao) language dictionary
This project funds two apprentices to complete the Shoshone and Bannock language dictionaries. The software, Lexique Pro, allows users to create their own dictionary with pictures and sounds. The apprentices will work under the direction of the lead language instructor to proof entries in the software, record words from Shoshone and Bannock Master speakers, and transfer recordings to the software. The dictionaries will be printed for use in classrooms and will undergo continued development.
Shayleen (Macy) EagleSpeaker – Documenting Kiksht (wac) Language, Culture, and History
This project will collect data in the form of audio and video files from an Elder speaker of the Kiksht language in Corbett, Oregon, The funds will be used to pay the consultant for time, for travel expenses to visit the consultant, and for copies and supplies. Most of the traditional knowledge held by this speaker is not known or has not been recorded. Most of Wasco culture has been lost due to relocation to reservations and the implementation of boarding schools to remove Wasco people from our culture. Documentation of this speaker's oral history is a crucial opportunity; the information will be lost forever if it is not documented or otherwise passed down. Traditionally, this knowledge was not recorded or written.
Erin Griffin – Sisseton Wahpeton College Dakota (dak) Language Mentorship Program
The goal of this proposal is to increase Sisseton Wahpeton College’s Dakota language instructor from a level of proficiency to one of fluency in the Dakota language. The outcomes of this project will have far reaching results that are anticipated to include the following: First, it will increase intergenerational transmission of the Dakota language. Second, it will aid in the development of a second language learners skills towards fluency,. Third it will provide teaching methods for the instructor will improve with increased language capacity. Four the mentorship will model effective language learning between a second language learner and elder (many of the younger generation are intimidated by the prospect of working with elders). Fifth, it will result in increased awareness, understanding, and use of the Dakota language. And sixth, it will build a productive environment for enhanced language learning.
Justin Neely and Brad Peltier – Potawatomi (pot) Youth Language Video Series
This project will develop and implement a children’s Potawatomi language video series. The project, titled Bodéwadmimwen mesnatekwen- Potawatomi language video series, will carry out its goal, which is to create an engaging, entertaining, age appropriate formatted original animated video series for each of the following child age groups: 1-4, 5-7, and 8-10. These three-video series having 30 episodes each will aid busy CPN tribal members an introducing the Potawatomi language to children who have little to no exposure to the language or fluent language speakers. Achievement of this goal will result in an overall positive change in the problem identified by our tribal community, which was that although the CPN is one of the largest federally recognized tribes, significant cultural losses due to dispersion have led to nearly zero remaining first- language speakers, a low fluency rate, and nearly nonexistent everyday use of the Potawatomi language among tribal members. Satisfying the goals and objectives of the project will generate several results and impacts over the 36-month grant term. Successful completion of objective one will result in creation of three age appropriate video series to give project beneficiaries at home language learning opportunities.
Stevey Seymour– Expanded Intergenerational Salish (sal) Language Project
This project focuses on bringing children, parents, grandparents, and fluent Salish speakers together to increase the overall Salish proficiency of the Inchelium Community and the Colville Tribes. This project focuses on hiring trained Salish speakers and advanced learners to teach Salish classes within the community.
Vida Stabler and Courtney Foster – Omaha (oma) Vocab Builder
Funds from NVE will help finance the Omaha Vocab Builder App, a language app intended to increase the linguistic ability of Omaha youth to ultimately preserve their language. The Omaha language in Nebraska is in a critical state with few remaining speakers. Omaha is the keystone of Omaha culture and expresses a mindset that is unique to the Native Nebraskan community that speaks it. With the loss of the language goes the loss of history, and the loss of a way of looking at the world. To remedy this, Umónhon Language and Culture Center will design a Mobile App that will be adaptive, engaging, and youth-oriented, helping to prevent the extinction of the Omaha language.
Several Awardees– CoLang 2018 Scholarships
Awardees include Nyleta Belgarde, Mosiah Bluecloud, Kathryn Briner, Eddie Fulbright, and Robert Lewis.
This project provides continued support of Maȟpíya Lúta Lakȟól Waúŋspewičhakhiyapi – Teaching Lakota to Red Cloud Students, Red Cloud Indian School’s strategic effort to develop and implement a comprehensive K-12th grade Lakota language curriculum.
Louise Dixey and Velda Racehorse – Shoshone (ssh) and Bannock (pao) language dictionary
This project funds two apprentices to complete the Shoshone and Bannock language dictionaries. The software, Lexique Pro, allows users to create their own dictionary with pictures and sounds. The apprentices will work under the direction of the lead language instructor to proof entries in the software, record words from Shoshone and Bannock Master speakers, and transfer recordings to the software. The dictionaries will be printed for use in classrooms and will undergo continued development.
Shayleen (Macy) EagleSpeaker – Documenting Kiksht (wac) Language, Culture, and History
This project will collect data in the form of audio and video files from an Elder speaker of the Kiksht language in Corbett, Oregon, The funds will be used to pay the consultant for time, for travel expenses to visit the consultant, and for copies and supplies. Most of the traditional knowledge held by this speaker is not known or has not been recorded. Most of Wasco culture has been lost due to relocation to reservations and the implementation of boarding schools to remove Wasco people from our culture. Documentation of this speaker's oral history is a crucial opportunity; the information will be lost forever if it is not documented or otherwise passed down. Traditionally, this knowledge was not recorded or written.
Erin Griffin – Sisseton Wahpeton College Dakota (dak) Language Mentorship Program
The goal of this proposal is to increase Sisseton Wahpeton College’s Dakota language instructor from a level of proficiency to one of fluency in the Dakota language. The outcomes of this project will have far reaching results that are anticipated to include the following: First, it will increase intergenerational transmission of the Dakota language. Second, it will aid in the development of a second language learners skills towards fluency,. Third it will provide teaching methods for the instructor will improve with increased language capacity. Four the mentorship will model effective language learning between a second language learner and elder (many of the younger generation are intimidated by the prospect of working with elders). Fifth, it will result in increased awareness, understanding, and use of the Dakota language. And sixth, it will build a productive environment for enhanced language learning.
Justin Neely and Brad Peltier – Potawatomi (pot) Youth Language Video Series
This project will develop and implement a children’s Potawatomi language video series. The project, titled Bodéwadmimwen mesnatekwen- Potawatomi language video series, will carry out its goal, which is to create an engaging, entertaining, age appropriate formatted original animated video series for each of the following child age groups: 1-4, 5-7, and 8-10. These three-video series having 30 episodes each will aid busy CPN tribal members an introducing the Potawatomi language to children who have little to no exposure to the language or fluent language speakers. Achievement of this goal will result in an overall positive change in the problem identified by our tribal community, which was that although the CPN is one of the largest federally recognized tribes, significant cultural losses due to dispersion have led to nearly zero remaining first- language speakers, a low fluency rate, and nearly nonexistent everyday use of the Potawatomi language among tribal members. Satisfying the goals and objectives of the project will generate several results and impacts over the 36-month grant term. Successful completion of objective one will result in creation of three age appropriate video series to give project beneficiaries at home language learning opportunities.
Stevey Seymour– Expanded Intergenerational Salish (sal) Language Project
This project focuses on bringing children, parents, grandparents, and fluent Salish speakers together to increase the overall Salish proficiency of the Inchelium Community and the Colville Tribes. This project focuses on hiring trained Salish speakers and advanced learners to teach Salish classes within the community.
Vida Stabler and Courtney Foster – Omaha (oma) Vocab Builder
Funds from NVE will help finance the Omaha Vocab Builder App, a language app intended to increase the linguistic ability of Omaha youth to ultimately preserve their language. The Omaha language in Nebraska is in a critical state with few remaining speakers. Omaha is the keystone of Omaha culture and expresses a mindset that is unique to the Native Nebraskan community that speaks it. With the loss of the language goes the loss of history, and the loss of a way of looking at the world. To remedy this, Umónhon Language and Culture Center will design a Mobile App that will be adaptive, engaging, and youth-oriented, helping to prevent the extinction of the Omaha language.
Several Awardees– CoLang 2018 Scholarships
Awardees include Nyleta Belgarde, Mosiah Bluecloud, Kathryn Briner, Eddie Fulbright, and Robert Lewis.