Join SDPB for a screening of Oyate Woyaka and Tatanka: A Way of Life Friday, March 22nd at The Journey Museum 222 New York St, Rapid City, SD. A panel discussion will follow the screenings. Refreshments will be provided. Doors open at 5:30pm with the event starting at 6pm. Admission is FREE but seats are limited. Reserve a seat at sdpb.ticketbud.com.
More Information about Oyate Woyaka:
Oyate Woyaka tells the story of the Lakota language history, loss and revitalization. The film touches on the deep history and spirituality of the language, the shocking history that caused Lakota to be on the verge of extinction and the modern efforts being made to bring language back to life and the immense challenges this effort faces.
The language being spoken and what is being expressed will show the beauty of the language but there is more to it. Indigenous languages hold connections to everything that moves. Water, wind, birds, four-legged, two-legged. A deep reverence for all of life. Ecological devastation and climate change also include indigenous languages because they are part of nature. An example elder Dollie Red Elk shares in the film is the word for brain which is Nasula. But it is deeper than “brain.” It translates to “A seed I offer you, ask for more.” This is a drastically different way of viewing the human mind.
Before moving forward with unity, there is so much healing that needs to be done. We are showing the spiritual side of healing and how the language itself is healing when used with prayer and ceremony and we will also show ways to support the efforts of revitalization. One example from the film is when we documented the return of 9 children from the Carlisle Boarding School Cemetery in 2021. This was one of many steps to heal intergenerational trauma and move forward.
Oyate Woyaka is trying to raise awareness that the Language is the key to identity, healing, ceremonies, thought, philosophy and spirituality and there is still a chance to keep Lakota alive. We still have elders who speak Lakota as their first language and this film gives them a platform to use their language to encourage healing and language revitalization.
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About South Dakota Public Broadcasting
The mission of South Dakota Public Broadcasting is to inspire, connect, and entertain South Dakotans with trusted journalism, quality education, and compelling storytelling. SDPB is a statewide, non-commercial, multi-platform network offering programming produced locally and from PBS, NPR, and other public broadcasting outlets. For information about SDPB and the Friends of SDPB, visit SDPB.org or call 800-456-0766.