Lakota Oyate (Lakota Nation)

South Dakota is in the heart of the Great Plains of the United States. Its unique geography, along with the culture and history shaped by it, has been a defining influence and image in the development of the United States. It is also one of the major homelands of the Lakota/Dakota/Nakota peoples, often collectively referred to as the Sioux. Understanding the differences in this terminology and what is appropriate and acceptable to this culture is part of what you will learn.

South Dakota State University

The program is based at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. The university is one of the foremost in the state, and is dedicated to issues and concerns of Native Americans. In the program, you will be taught by the faculty of SDSU, and wll have presentations by Lakota/Dakota speakers. Along with your readings, field trips, and service experience, they will help you understand the differences, subtleties, varied histories, and contemporary concerns of the Plains peoples.

Significant Sites You will visit and learn about Wounded Knee, the Badlands (Maka Sica), the Black Hills (Paha Sapa or He Sapa), Bear Butte (Paha Mato), and significant Dakota sites in Minnesota as well as Devil's Tower (Mato Tipi) in Wyoming.