Lakota Language and Culture Class with Reuben Fast Horse, John Badenhausen and Tom Hollow Horn
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 Reuben 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. The class is live broadcast via Zoom. Please email mackenzie@thetipiraisers.org to register and access the zoom link. Dates: Every other Sunday - August 1, 15, 29, etc. Time: 12:00 - 1:00 (or 2:00) pm E.S.T. Contact Reuben for more information: 845-986-7913
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."
About Reuben Fast Horse
Reuben is a college graduate of Sitting Bull College in General Studies with an emphasis of LLEAP (Lakhota Language Educational Action Program). He is an accomplished showman for K-12 children in the U.S. and abroad. Reuben regularly delivers lectures and performance of Native American culture for universities, colleges, religious affiliated schools, government schools, elementary and middle schools. He currently teaches at New York University. Rebuen is fluently bilingual in Lakhota/English.
About John Badenhausen 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.
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.
