Growing Our Own
How We’re Investing in Future Sicangu Educators
It’s hard to believe that Wak̇aŋyeja Ki Ṫokeyaḣc̄i is in the final month of its fifth school year! A dream that started decades ago is now a reality.
Reaching this huge milestone hasn’t been without its challenges though. One of the most significant and consistent challenges has been related to staffing. To effectively teach in an immersion environment requires a specific set of skills and experience. To begin with, teachers must have a level of Lakota fluency that is sufficient to teach in the language. But simply speaking Lakota doesn’t make someone an effective Lakota teacher. Teachers must also build strong relationships, be able to manage a classroom, and create engaging lesson and unit plans.
Many of the people with those overlapping skillsets are already employed elsewhere, so it has been a challenge to keep the school fully-staffed. For the first four years of operations, our Head of School had to spend significant portions of the school year in the classroom. This pulled him away from other administrative duties.
To address that shortage, WKT has piloted and is growing it’s two-year Teacher Apprenticeship program. Grounded in our belief that the best teachers for our children are the ones who come from our community, this program creates a pathway for Siċaŋġu relatives to become certified educators without leaving their homelands or their culture behind.
This program supports aspiring teachers to simultaneously learn the Lak̇ot̄a language and gain teaching skills and knowledge. The Apprentices split their time between supporting in an immersion classroom, and their own studies. During the two year period, they work on their Lak̇ot̄a fluency each day, while also taking classes at Sinte Gleska University, engaging in professional development trainings, and studying for the South Dakota Department of Education’s Lak̇ot̄a Language and Culture certification test. Apprentices are employed while furthering their education, and after two years they are fully certified and prepared to move into a lead teacher role.
What makes this program powerful:
Place-Based, Lak̇ota-Led: Designed for and by Siċaŋġu people, it prioritizes cultural revitalization alongside academic excellence.
Earn While You Learn: Apprentices gain hands-on classroom experience while receiving a living wage and mentorship from seasoned Lak̇ota educators.
Systemic Impact: This program is the foundation of an education system rooted in language, land, and Lak̇ota lifeways. Apprentices are trained with the expectation that they will be lead teachers at WT, but we know that whatever path they choose, they will be leaders in the language revitalization movement.
Interested?
We post openings in the TA program on our Careers page, and also share them on Facebook. You can also reach out to Sage or Carlos for the latest updates. Reply to this email to get in touch.
Support the Movement
We are grateful to our funding partners who have made this program possible!
Help us expand the program and grow this next generation of educators and leaders. Your donations sustain the future of Lak̇ota education.
Spring Reset for Mind, Body, and Spirit at WKT’s Wellness Day
On what turned out to be the most beautiful day in April, Wak̇aŋyeja Ki Ṫokeyaḣc̄i hosted our very first school-wide Wellness Day. Students, families, and staff took a well-deserved break from the daily routine to enjoy time together outdoors, focusing on movement, fun, and connection. From archery and baseball to hand games, drumming, and creative arts, our Wakanyeja had plenty of ways to stay active and engaged all while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.
It was amazing to see so many parents and guardians show up and jump into the fun with our staff and students. Everyone pitched in helping with games, cheering on the kids, and sharing laughs throughout the day. Families came together for a big grilled lunch, followed by a classic easter egg hunt that had the kids racing across the park with huge smiles. It was the kind of day that reminded everyone how important it is to slow down, enjoy the moment, and take care of each other as a school community.
We know that being outside and active helps our Wakanyeja thrive not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Nature and fresh air create a kind of classroom that can’t be replicated indoors. As students explored different games and activities, they also practiced teamwork and curiosity. These are lifelong skills that go hand-in-hand with academic learning and are just as important on their educational journey.
The growth of Wak̇aŋyeja Ki Ṫokeyaḣc̄i is a powerful example of sovereignty in action. Every step forward represents our community reclaiming the right to educate our children in a way that centers our Lakota language, values, and worldview. Seeing our students learn, thrive, and lead in a space built by and for our people is a reminder that Indigenous education is not only possible, but it is essential. As we continue to grow, we’re building a future rooted in identity, pride, and self-determination. Days like this are the perfect example of what it means to be “in-community.”
