Description
As the indigenous people (ikčé-oyáte) of this land, we, the Dakhóta, Lakȟóta, and Nakhóta have always divided our lifeways into seasons and months, as is vividly told in this book by my Dakhóta relative Clifford Čhaŋkú, an elder who remembers these traditions from living them with his parents, grandparents and other relatives of his thiyóšpaye (extended family). Reading these stories in the Dakhóta language is like drinking water directly from a clear spring of water, leaving the traditional wisdom undiluted by an English translation. This text will be valuable to all students of the Dakhóta language and culture and will remain an important resource for future generations. – Ȟmuyáŋ Máni / Richard Two Dogs
This work is an invaluable contribution to Dakhóta language and culture studies, especially for fluent or advanced language speakers. This collaboration between Mathó Wathákpe and Šišóka Duta brilliantly centers Dakota adherence to natural law and natural cycles by illuminating the activities practiced in each moon cycle. In this way it highlights how Dakota people not only survived, but thrived, sustainably within our homeland. This is truly a treasure-trove of information captured within our language. This will be an essential resource for generations to come and it is recommended to all Dakota people and students of Dakota history and culture. – Dr. Waziyatawiŋ
Mathó Wathákpe / Clifford Čhaŋkú (author) is an elder of the Sisíthuŋwaŋ-Waȟpéthuŋwaŋ-Dakhóta Oyáte. He is a retired and currently he works from his home west of Sisseton, SD. He is actively working on Dakota spirituality, language curriculum, translating historical documents, and teaching language. He has published “Beginning Dakota” and “The Dakota Prisoner of War Letters”. He was a consultant the Dakhód Iápi Wičhóie Wówapi (Dakota Language Dictionary App).
