Due to a variety of extenuating circumstances, the Tipi Raisers' Lakota Language Class is currently on pause until further notice, and as such, will not resume on September 8th as previously planned.

We are hopeful that we will be able to resume and are currently looking at restructuring the class in terms of language-learning levels and potentially bringing in additional instructors.

The Tipi Raisers is a small nonprofit organization, and we are currently operating at full capacity in terms of our programs and activities in Native communities. 

Please check back here for future updates.

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Lakota Language and Culture Class with
​Tom Hollow Horn & John Badenhausen 

Language forms the bedrock upon which traditions take root, giving rise to cultural values like reverence for our elders, inter-connectedness, and environmental stewardship.

This ongoing Lakota Language class covers Lakota language fundamentals with an end-goal that students will be equipped to one day read, write and speak the language. The first hour is designated to a formal Lakota language with breakout rooms when needed depending on proficiency levels in the class. The second hour is an optional and informal discussion with Tom about the Lakota culture, history and current conditions. We strongly suggest contacting the Lakota Language Consortium to order the recent Lakota dictionary and the level two textbook as they will be used for the class.
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The class is live broadcast via Zoom. Please email [email protected] to register and access the zoom link.
Dates: Starting up again after summer break on September 8th - and every other Sunday thereafter
Time:
Language Portion: 10:00 - 11:00  am Mountain Time
​Culture Portion: 11:00 - Noon Mountain Time

NOTE: CLASSES ARE NOT HELD IN JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST.

In alignment with our funding philosophy of reciprocity, classes are offered free of charge.  Students are encouraged to give back at whatever level is right for them.

donate here

What participants are saying:

"That was a really good class.....thank-you! As a language teacher myself, I understand the ''mammoth'' task that you are undertaking...very difficult...mixed levels, mixed mother-tongues, not knowing exactly who will attend....only 2 hours per month...extraordinary!" 

"I really enjoyed it. I only know a few words that I hear often in songs and when people pray, I cant really use sentences or phrases, just a word here and there is what I can understand. I’m trying to get over feeling embarrassed cause I don’t pronounce the words properly, so I like that we are encouraged to speak in class."

"Wonderful thing you are doing here.  I am so grateful to be a part of it."  

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About Tom Hollow Horn

Tom Hollow Horn (Oglala Lakota) is a Suicide Prevention Advocate and community leader in Wounded Knee, South Dakota. A former police officer and school teacher, Tom works with youth in Wounded Knee to pass on the Oglala Lakota culture and to empower them to be their best selves and create lasting change for their communities. He grew up speaking the Lakota language fluently with family members and is a direct descendant of Oglala Lakota leader American Horse.

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About John Badenhausen
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 John Badenhausen, MA is a Co-Teacher of the Tipi Raisers Lakȟóta Language Classes.  He is a Euro-American who has been studying the Lakȟota Language since 1998 when he made his first trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.  Since then he has been studying the Lakȟóta Language mostly using a variety of self-study materials.  Since taking the Lakota Language Consoritium’s Lakota Weekend Workshop in February 2018, he has been assisting Reuben Fast Horse in teaching Lakȟóta to the dedicated students in the New York area.  John was born outside of Philadelphia, was raised outside of New York City, and has lived most of his adult life outside of Boston.  In August 2018 he and his family moved to New Jersey, where he presently lives.  He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology.   
     

CONTACT US TO REGISTER AND FOR LOGIN INFORMATION