Self-Assessed Dakota Language Fluency and Suggested Strategies for Language Revitalization on the Spirit Lake Nation

This study provides a background of the status of the Dakota language as it is spoken on the Spirit Lake Nation in northeast North Dakota. The study examined Dakota language fluency, environments where the language is used, and suggested strategies for revitalization. In order to determine the aforementioned, a brief Survey for Grant for Revitalization of Tribal Languages (Survey) was implemented. This assessment of community fluency and interest was essential to obtaining an Administration for Native Americans grant to develop a language revitalization effort that came to be known as the Dakota la UnspepHLanguage Preservation Program. The Survey for Grant for Revitalization of Tribal Languages was developed from unstructured interviews with 30 members of the Spirit Lake Nation, ranging in age from 18-90. This led to a pilot survey which was tested on an informal committee of 19 people. The final Survey was administered to a representative sample of age groups ranging in age from under twelve to over fifty-five, with a total of 311 respondents. Both sexes were also adequately represented, an important factor as Dakota has male and female versions of the language. The data were analyzed with either Fisher’s exact test or a chi-square test. The status of Dakota language on the Spirit Lake Nation would appear to be in Stage 7 of Fishman’s Graded Intergenerational Dislocation Scale, which implies that the language is not being transmitted in the home environment and the majority of the speakers are elderly. However, combining all age groups who answered the Survey, 71.7% are aware that the language is at risk and 85.5% want to “learn or improve or practice Dakota”, which bodes well for possible revitalization. Of the respondents to the Survey, 38.9% had some degree of familiarity with Dakota orthography. The introduction, by the Dakota la Unspepi!Language Preservation Program, of elders into Head Start has stimulated more Dakota language curriculum development, and a Dakota culture teacher is now teaching in the Head Start centers. Her work is currently being funded by the Spirit Lake Nation

2003-2004 Ursinus College Course Catalogue

A digitized copy of the 2003-2004 Ursinus College Catalog. It contains details of the curriculum, departmental requirements and courses of instruction as well as lists of students, faculty and administrators. Student life, terms of admission, expenses and financial aid are also included as well as descriptions of the buildings and equipment available to students.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/uccatalog/1056/thumbnail.jp

Annual Report of the University, 2005-2006, Volumes 1-7

PROPOSED POLICIES The Office of Government & Community Relations is in charge of advancing the University\u27s interests at all levels of federal, state and local government. The following policy guidelines for working with University units will achieve a coordinated and effective institutional advancement program. • To inform the Office of Government & Community Relations of all planned contacts and correspondence with elected officials and policy-making employees of federal, state and local government, including those who are alumni or friends of the University. Those items which pertain to sponsored research should be coordinated with the Vice President for Research. • To consult the Office of Government & Community Relations on any verbal or written statements made on behalf of the University that concern federal, state or local policies, legislation or regulations. • To advise the Office of Government & Community Relations on any activities, conferences, seminars, lectures or projects that involve the community and/or impact the University area. • Faculty or staff members who contact federal, state or local policy-making employees as experts in a specific field, or who act on behalf of themselves or another organization, should include a disclaimer which clearly states that they are not acting on behalf of the University