Tribal elder and Dakota Language speaker, Oliver Gourd, speaks to young learners on the Spirit Lake Nation. (Photo credit courtesy of Adam Flaagan, Tribal Liaison – Spirit Lake Nation (SLT)-USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services)
Fort Totten, ND – In a historic move to preserve and revitalize Indigenous culture, the Spirit Lake Tribal Council issued a proclamation on August 20, 2025, designating the Dakota language as the core language of the Spirit Lake Tribe. This proclamation mandates the immediate and permanent inclusion of Dakota in all educational institutions, tribal programs, and businesses within the Tribe’s jurisdiction.
The proclamation, signed by Tribal Chairwoman Lonna J. Street and Secretary-Treasurer Darcie Lohnes, emphasizes the importance of the Dakota language as a vital connection to the Tribe’s heritage, identity, and community. It highlights the Council’s commitment to fostering health, education, and social welfare while acknowledging the historical impact of the federal Indian boarding school system on language and cultural practices.
“Our Dakota language is not just a way of speaking; it is a living part of who we are as Dakota people,” stated Chairwoman Street. “This proclamation reinforces the significance of our language in nurturing our identity and ensuring its future within our community.”
The proclamation addresses the critical state of the Dakota language, noting that fewer than one percent of the Tribe’s 7,800 members are fluent speakers, most of whom are elders. The Tribal Council recognizes the urgency of revitalization efforts to ensure that the Dakota language is not only preserved but actively spoken and taught to future generations.
Key initiatives announced in the proclamation include:
Declaring Dakota as the core language of the Spirit Lake Tribe.
Mandating inclusion of Dakota in all schools, programs, and businesses under Tribal authority.
Acknowledging the trauma inflicted by the federal Indian boarding school system, which contributed to the decline of the Dakota language.
Affirming Dakota as a sacred language essential to the resilience and unity of the Spirit Lake community.
The Spirit Lake Tribal Council encourages all community members, educators, and institutions to participate in the revitalization of the Dakota language. “By integrating Dakota into our daily lives and educational systems, we pay homage to our ancestors and lay a strong foundation for the future,” added Secretary-Treasurer Lohnes.
This proclamation stems from grassroots efforts within the community aimed at restoring the use of the Dakota language, ensuring it remains a guiding principle of Tribal governance for generations to come.
For more information, please contact: Vicki M. Alberts, Public Relations at [email protected]
