Impact Report Sneak Peak: Building a Lakota Immersion School That Lasts
We're getting really excited to share our first-ever impact report with you all! It will be released alongside our annual partner update on February 24th. For years we have been in "grind mode" where we have been so busy focused on building our programs that we haven't taken the time to step back for a moment of reflection.
Don't get us wrong, we still have plans to grow and deepen our work. But by taking the time to compile stories and data from our teams we're able to put our work in context, draw new connections, and paint a clearer picture of our holistic vision.
This week, we're giving you a sneak peak of one of the feature stories that will be published in the report. Even more exciting: Rachel Zimiga will join us live for our partner update! Rachel was part of the first Teacher Apprenticeship cohort and is now a lead teacher. She'll be sharing her experience in the program and what it means to her to teach at the immersion school.
If you haven't already registered, there's still time!
From the beginning, Wak̇aŋyeja Ki Ṫokeyaḣc̄i (WT) set out to do more than teach Lakota in a classroom. It was designed to educate children holistically through immersion, strong relationships, and cultural grounding. WT is a response to an education system that hasn’t valued Indigenous identity or prioritized the wishes of the community it serves.
In 2025, WT entered its sixth school year with nearly 50 students. As the school has grown, it reflects decades of vision becoming a reliable, community-rooted institution.
Despite the best efforts and dedication of the team, one challenge has remained constant: staffing. A school like WT requires educators who are not only skilled teachers and mentors, but who are also Lakota speakers. Those overlapping skill sets are rare and in high demand, so for the first several years the burden of filling gaps fell on the already-stretched school staff.
Because of this persistent challenge, WT made a strategic decision to invest in a long-term solution: growing its own educators from within the Sicangu community.
WT’s two-year Teacher Apprenticeship program creates a pathway for Sicangu relatives to become certified Lakota teachers without leaving their homelands and family. Apprentices earn a living wage while splitting their time between supporting in immersion classrooms, strengthening their own Lakota fluency, completing coursework at Sinte Gleska University, participating in professional development, and preparing for the South Dakota Department of Education’s Lakota Language and Culture certification.
In 2025, this approach began to pay dividends with the first former teacher apprentices now confidently leading their own classrooms. Each classroom is anchored by at least one fluent speaker, and school leadership is increasingly able to focus on curriculum, family engagement, and long-term planning rather than daily staffing emergencies.
By investing in people as much as programs, the school is ensuring that Lakota language and lifeways are not only taught today, but carried forward by the next generation of educators, leaders, and relatives. Wak̇aŋyeja Ki Ṫokeyaḣc̄i is showcasing Sicangu sovereignty in action.
Donor Corner: Supporting Sicangu Co Through Planned Giving
Many of our supporters want to make a lasting impact while still meeting their personal and financial goals. Planned gifts offer a flexible way to do both.
Planned giving -- or legacy giving -- is the process of arranging a charitable contribution at some point in the future. This is most commonly done through estate plans, which allows the donor to create a lasting impact without impacting their current lifestyle. Planning giving allows you to align your philanthropic goals with your overall financial plans, and may provide tax advantages.
Whether you are reviewing your plans at the start of the new year or simply exploring options for the future, now is a great time to consider a planned gift.
At the link below, we have compiled learning resources -- including a customized Planned Giving Guide.
When you are interested in supporting lasting Sicangu prosperity and cultural revitalization, contact Brandi Charging Eagle at brandi@sicangu.co or visit our planned giving website below.
