Oglala native language program gets grant

By The Associated Press

Administration for Native Americans.
Administration for Native Americans.

OGLALA — A South Dakota language revitalization initiative has received a three-year grant from the federal Administration for Native Americans.

Lakota Immersion Childcare announced Tuesday it’s one of 13 organizations to receive part of $2.6 million through the Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance initiative. It says it’s the only organization in the Dakotas to receive language funds from the administration. It didn’t say what portion of the money it will receive.

The grant supports immersion programming to teach and preserve Native American languages through curriculum development, teacher training and technology.

Lakota Immersion Childcare has three fluent speakers who teach 15 students. It will admit five new toddlers this fall. The program aims to partner with a local school to create a full-immersion elementary program.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.