Uŋčí Wóslolye Lakota language app launched

MISSION, SD – A language app recently launched at Wakanyeja Ki Tokeyahci school was designed with the Oyate in mind and to help students improve Lakota speaking fluency.

According to a Siċaŋġu Co press release, Uŋčí Wóslolye was created by a Lakota for the Oyate and is aimed to help children in pre-kindergarten through second grade. The app was designed by Jonathan Lu of Heȟlóǧeča Wóihaŋble (Hollow Horn Visions). The app will offer engaging content enjoyable for learners of all ages, including adults on their journey to revitalize the Lakota language. Staff and students at Wakanyeja Ki Tokeyahci school hosted Jonathan and his family for the new app unveiling.

The Heȟlóǧeča Wóihaŋble organization’s mission is to promote Lakota language and culture in safe digital spaces. Uŋčí Wóslolye achieves this with twelve interactive mini-games covering a wide range of topics, from counting to sentence building. The app also features three different orthographies: a standard Lakota orthography, Siċaƞġu orthography and the White Hat orthography.

Project partners Maȟpíya Lúta Hukhúčiyela Owáyawa (Red Cloud Indian School) of Pine Ridge and Siċaŋġu Co’s Wakanyeja Ki Tokeyahci of Rosebud were highlighted during the launch presentation. These partners played a vital role in bringing in Lakota voice actors, various orthographies, funding, as well as inspiring the stories featured in the app. Uŋčí Wóslolye supports students’ Lakota language journey in and outside the classroom.

The app also features cultural representation and identity for Lakota children. That is, Lakota children can see themselves in this game from their hair, their skin, their foods and their relatives. Another goal is to add landmarks within the app that Lakota students are or will be familiar with. This is a very useful resource for our entire community. Lakota people of all ages will likely find it exciting to explore within the app.

This work serves as an example that Lakota people can be the exclusive creators of our own learning materials. There will be more to come as Jonathan has shared that he is open to feedback, suggestions and ideas as they continue to develop Uŋčí Wóslolye, with plans for season two already underway which will add more content for third through sixth grade Lakota language learners. You can follow the updates to the app at the Uŋčí Wičhóoyake Facebook page.