The Sisseton-Wahpeton College in South Dakota has produced what is believed to be the first rap song in the Dakota language.
"Wicozani Mitawa" or "My Life," is a song about a young man's struggles. It was written by Tristan Eastman, 20, and translated into Dakota by tribal elders.
More than 250 CDs of the song are being distributed to young people on the reservation.
The Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe has made language preservation a priority in hopes of keeping it alive for future generations. Only about 3 percent of 11,000 tribal members speak Dakota.
Get the Story:
Spreading the word: Project uses translated rap music as means for younger American Indians to learn native language
(The Fargo Forum 9/12)
pwday
Tribal college produces rap song in Dakota
Monday, September 12, 2005
Trending in News
1 Tribes rush to respond to new coronavirus emergency created by Trump administration
2 'At this rate the entire tribe will be extinct': Zuni Pueblo sees COVID-19 cases double as first death is confirmed
3 Arne Vainio: 'A great sickness has been visited upon us as human beings'
4 Arne Vainio: Zoongide'iwin is the Ojibwe word for courage
5 Cayuga Nation's division leads to a 'human rights catastrophe'
2 'At this rate the entire tribe will be extinct': Zuni Pueblo sees COVID-19 cases double as first death is confirmed
3 Arne Vainio: 'A great sickness has been visited upon us as human beings'
4 Arne Vainio: Zoongide'iwin is the Ojibwe word for courage
5 Cayuga Nation's division leads to a 'human rights catastrophe'