September 2022

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Dakota Wicohan is celebrating 20 years of dedicated work in sharing Dakota language and lifeways with youth and families in Southwest Minnesota. A celebration dinner and Kahomni (Round Dance) will be held at Jackpot Junction Casino on Saturday, September 10th. Community members, elders, youth, families and allies will join in the celebration which will feature the next generation of community leaders and changemakers. 20 Community Leaders over 20 Days have been featured on the organization’s social media platforms Facebook and Instagram. This next generation of leaders who have participated in Dakota Wicohan over the years are now teaching and serving their communities and their families in various ways, carrying on the Dakota language and knowledge into the future. Dakotah Wicohan has remained grassroots and community based, supporting and nurturing leadership within its own homelands. “We’re excited to be celebrating 20 Years and to reflect on the huge ripple effect our work has had”, said Eileen O’Keefe, Executive Director and member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community. “We look forward to what the next 20 years will bring”. Teresa Peterson, one of the three original founders of the organization said, “Woyuonihan - One of our Dakota traditions is to celebrate and honor significant moments such as this. We are grateful to all those that contributed to the growing family that Dakota Wicohan is. To all the elders that encouraged us, many of whom are dancing and singing with us from above. To the young ones who inspire us each day who may be seeking that belongingness that is central to our Dakota lifeways and values. To the teachers and leaders that nurtured our language and lifeways. And even to those that challenged us along the way to remain steadfast. We join together in reflection, celebration, and gratitude for what started out as a few of us gathering around kitchen tables to what it is today. Wopida tanka eciciyapi ye!” For more information