Tama tȟá owóuŋspe él wayáwa wikčémna éhuŋni kiŋ wičhíte naškáŋškaŋ itówapi uŋ Lakȟótiya wóglakapi waŋ káǧapi. — Need a translation? You’ll have to ask a Red Cloud Indian School student.

This semester the Lakota language is once again jumping out of the text books. This time, it’s onto the big screen! Sophomores at Red Cloud Indian School are creating short films for a class project that will have nothing but Lakota dialogue. Students began creating short films this October based on their favorite films and are now putting the final touches on before the Christmas break.

“It’s important for the students to see themselves speaking the language,” said Lakota language teacher Tama I’atala when asked where he got the idea for the project. “An instructor can stand up there all day and speak, but when they hear someone their own age speak the language—and in a fun and artistic way—that’s when it starts to become comfortable and second nature.”

I’atala says that the project has been a great way to measure class progress over the semester as they work on the films each week. Beyond tests and quizzes, the film project is an encouraging way to support the student’s retention of content as well as use and articulation of the Lakota language. In addition, the project has been an opportunity to incorporate art and technology into the classroom.