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Washington State University
College of Education

Ti’tooqan Cuukweneewit – Tipiziwin Tolman

Tipiziwin Tolman

Tipiziwin Tolman

Tribal affiliation: Standing Rock Sioux

Why she’s at WSU and how the Ti’tooqan Cuukeweneewit program helps

An opportunity to attend Washington State University was offered through Dr. renée holt and I discussed it with my husband and my children and it was an opportunity that we decided we’d be willing to take. So we’re now living in Pullman and we’re having a great experience. I’m really appreciative of the things that I’m learning through this program. And I can see, based on the experience that I had the last five years, the skill set that is really needed to provide quality Tribal language immersion instruction. And I’m really thankful because I’m just learning so much right now. It’s such a quality education that I’m receiving that I feel super fortunate to be here.

Why is Tribal language important?

There are so many opportunities that open for people who are involved in Tribal language revitalization. The most powerful thing for me to see is that identity… a when a child has that opportunity to embrace their language and their culture in a manner that hasn’t been available to people in generations. To see them grow in self-confidence, in self-esteem, in identity… I think it speaks volumes, because for generations our people have been born Lakȟóta people in Lakȟóta country, but because we don’t have our language, we’re still outsiders in our community spaces that have our language and prayer spaces that have our language. It’s just damaging to a Tribal person to be an outsider among their own people and in their own communities. And I think it’s just so powerful when you’re able to participate fully and understand the language.