I'm 13. I hope one day I can speak it fluently. My grandma was beaten for speaking it, that's why she never taught my mom. I find it so cool when other people speak their language. I feel jealous even.

I grew up in Pine Ridge and I spoke mostly Lakota. I was gone and when I came back, I could understand, but not quite speak. Love your teaching style, very natural.

I could listen to Sam High Crane all day.

I am a philologist by profession, I can say that languages and linguistics are my love and life passion. The history of Native Americans and the Lakota tribe has been my bug for years, so I've always wanted to learn at least one of these unusual languages and after the first few minutes of Your video I am fascinated by its complexity, something beautiful. Thank you so much. Greetings from Poland

This man is a great teacher

This is amazing! I was simply searching for a video portraying the correct pronunciation of the word "Lakota", as it's spoken by the Lakota people in their native language, and I'm utterly delighted to have stumbled upon this gem in the process. Not only did I get my answer vis à vis "Lakota" (and "Dakota" to boot), but I've now discovered a full course covering an introduction to the fascinating Lakota language. I wish I could thank this man in person for this contribution of his. I guess I'll have to settle for thanking him and the manager(s) of this channel via a KZfaq comment: thanks so much for running this course and for sharing it with the world! Much love, appreciation, and admiration from Boston, MA!

Thank you for posting this. Since my Grandfather (adopted) Selo Black Crow has passed and my old friend Aaron Running Hawk has also passed, I have no one to speak with and I am forgetting so much.

I am so appreciative of your video. My mother wanted to teach me but she died before doing so. I am so grateful. And it is of great honor to learn. Much respect.

I'm 15 Lakota was my first language but when my dad died when I was young I gave the language up so I could go to school and learn English. I was not allowed to speak my language because of this I have forgotten my language and we moved away from family so I had no one to reteach me it again. My dad Dakota Hollow Horn Bear was a great man I'm happy I can learn the language once again like how he wanted me to. Thank you for the video.

As a non-indigenous American who has learned his own ancestral language, I can identify with these learners of their ancestral Sioux language and wish them continued success. It's terrific.

Thank you Brother Sam High Crane, A note at 12:23. itunkala, nitunkala, witunkala (mouse). The letter i is stone for inyan. Ni is for breath of life. Wi is for star. These forms are from perspective (reflection of the moon). Lakota I stand in the middle of the spacial field. Nakota I lie down and embrace the spacial field. Dakota I wind through the spacial field. Thus stone (i), breath (ni) and star (wi) depending where you are in the cosmology along the Trail of the connected consciousness, as you say, what community you came from. Pilamyeye wohpila tatanka (thank you, a great equality), as we all have a slice (needles, He Sapa, Paha Sapa, Ska Sapa, the BlackHills ) of the universe. Also noticed four names for the same meaning (character, oral narration) for the four directions as I often sing it this way, as well as others who write down this way. Three directions is a yellow bird that flies into the "reflection" (point of view), a dreamer reveals. "Ozuyeya Ig'lamna or Legends of the Counter Attacking Journeys. The Ozuyeya Iglama became the principle task of the Ikce (common man)~ Some of the travelers would return home, new ones would join the journey. At times, a few grew tired of traveling and remained in the lands they liked. At other times, some of the people from nations that were visited, would join the Ikce (Black Hills Steering Committee) I bow. Love and blessings. Your devoted Sister, White Buffalo Calf Woman your Twin Deer Mother, elder stone, alightfromwithin.org at Lakota Oyate Community plus.google.com/communities/107162802946807315903

I’m like super happy I can see these. I’m from the Oglala Sioux tribe and really want to learn the Lakota language

I wanted to take a minute to thank you. For sharing this beatiful language I’m Mexican just love Native American.

I would love to learn this language. I speak Spanish as my first language, English as secondary, and love the sounds I can catch from the Lakota and other Indigenous languages. It would be a privilege and honor to be able to speak and understand Lakota.

I live in washington state, but my dads grandmother was 100% indigenous from the nebraska area. She was adopted by a german immigrant family in the 1870's, and I think my family was ashamed to talk about her heritage. I only found out about her heritage when I found a photo of her as a young lady and did some research. My father was very dark skinned for a white person but no one talked about that. Your videos have helped me appreciate her heritage. Thank you very much. I hope to watch more videos.

I actually learned parts of a language with him, because he used them in a story that was both interesting and educational...why can't more lessons be like this?

I enjoy the Berenstain Bears in Lakota. When I was teaching Dine(Navajo) bizaad, I took liberty to change up things by letting the kids sing the Bears series intro song as well as listen to Kashtin hits. Very catchy! (Btw. Our school had students from other language families- or intertribal).

Awesome teacher. I love his relaxed way of teaching this amazing language and including Lakota history. Another awesome thing for me is they show my power animal at the end kewl!!

Thank you for these videos! Am a proud Lakota Sioux and have been denied from joining the tribe. I can now learn my peoples language. Thank you so much!

Started at a slow pace that I did not like but man is this teacher engaging. I am from Asia but his way of teaching makes me want to repeat the words again and again

Muchísimas gracias por sus enseñanzas y por compartir. Me interesa mucho la lengua, la historia y su gente. Thank you so much.

omg FINALLY found this!! Thank you to all who do these videos! I am not Lakota, but my dad who raised me is. I just want to sit back and talk to dad in his native language. Everyone in Lakota nation should learn the language and keep it going strong! The true way to kill a tribe is to take away their language and heritage. I hope all tribes keep their language and culture going strong! We would be in a sad way without the wisdom and insight from these amazing nations!

thank you

Thank you for teaching and passing along your knowledge of your language.

The sound, cadence, intent of your voice is very comforting and inspiring. Thank you.

Im black and I find this very interesting. Man I could smoke and listen to his stories all day. Beautiful history the Americas have.

Thank you Mr. High Crane so much. I am part Lakota and have been trying to learn my whole life. Blessings to you

I have a lot of anxiety, and talk too fast if in that state. But when I'm with my Lakota friends, or any native people, the slow,calm manner of speaking is so healing to me. Reminds me to slow down. And to speak softer also. TY. ❤

I am not indian. I'm originating from Kabylia, northern Algeria, but I've always loved native americans and the way they lived, the way they interacted with the nature and their cultural beliefs, before the white men's invasion. I still love native americans for ever.

Hello, I know this is late but thank you very much for doing this. I grew up with everyone telling me that im Native American but seeing as my dad was no longer in the picture, I had no one to teach me about my culture and heritage. Thank you for making it easy to learn.

what a great video! I am so thankful to have found this channel. my husband is half Lakota from rosebud. I'm trying to learn Lakota and teach it to my son (his step son) to surprise him. his family has taught us some but I'd like to learn more. you're a great teacher and I love the history lessons! :) especially since you talk about so many places he mentions all the time!

i can listen to this guy teach all day. love it, thanks for the content.

My grandfathers name was William Tell Canady, on my fathers side of family. I am enjoying this class. I seak spanish and english. MY mothers mother was sisplaced from oklalhoma. Her name was Jennie Jones. She was choctow and Lakota. Her real name was Jenny Two Hats.My father mother was Black foot and Lakota. I teach our heritage to my nephews and nieces. Thank you Robert Hybbard.

I enjoyed this very much. Thank you, Mr. Crane.

Cool! My Favorite Lakota Teacher! Sam High Crane! :-) Need to learn some Lakota :D

AMERICAS language! Simply beautiful to learn this. Slowly learning this. Thank you! Wish they would of taught me this in school i took a american history class un school and was very disappointed that they didnt teach this. Native American culture and language is history !!!!! I love watching these videos! Aho!!!

Your language is beautiful. I only know of what I have heard on the movie, Dances with wolves. I repeated all the words I heard and remembered their context. I have since heard words in the Japanese language and some of the pronunciation reminded me of the Lakota Sioux language. I think you're right when you say the Lakota Sioux went from where you are to there and returned to you.

Thank you for offering this lesson, im hunkpapa lakota, and im so glad to be able to learn from your videos.

I am a linguist and EFL teacher based in Luxembourgish and this was fascinating

Much thanks and appreciation. Agree it is an honor to be able to learn. Important for healing. Thank you for sharing.

This is awesome to learn I never grew up aroumd my own people.

👏🏼👏🏼Very impressed at what you're doing. Keep it up

Love your style of teaching very much❤

I was looking for a Lakota language video for beginners and found Sam High Crane’s. Although, i’m a beginner of the Ojibwe language, i really like his teaching style of instruction.He adds a little bit of story telling to go with it. I will be looking forward for more from him. Miigwetch Sam

My Grandfather could speak fluent Cree, so i am going to try to learn a first language. Thank you for your time and effort in teaching.

So glad I’ve came upon this video so I can communicate with my uncí but this is so informative. Like the previous comment and like other generations, our grandparents were in boarding schools who were so frighten to teach Lakota to their children and their grandchildren to learn their native language. That genocide was convenient. Besides these videos I’m thankful my uncí can teach me words I dont know and still has the strength to pass on this beautiful language. Thank you for posting. Beside this I’ll keep doing my best to learn our language to pass it on. And get a sense of self. ❤️💛🖤🤍

im 14 and trying to learn the lakota language because i wouldnt want to let it die off so one day when im fluent ill teach my kids about it too

I love all cultures. I have a high interest in asian cultures (Chinese) mainly after learning the language. But there are a group of people that I LOVE, RESPECT, and HONOR the most, Native Americans. The only ones who connect with this world better than anything. I bow at the feet of Native Americans.

Thanks for making the course available!

Thank you so much. We are members of the diaspora and I want my son to have this knowledge.

We had a friend in college who was pre-med. He was Native American and he also had trouble with English. Gary would hear you and you could watch him translate before he answered. People thought he was not too bright due to his hesitations but we knew.

i want to learn more, he is very good teacher of language and culture and history

Keeping the language & history alive - Wopila tanka/Thank you

THIS WAS SO INTERESTING. I LOVED HIM. HOW CAN I HEAR MORE ?

I am Lakota as well. Family residing on the Rosebud Reservation but I didn't grow up on the Rez. I have to learn a lot of this on my own so I'm not fluent in Lakota but want to be. Thanks for posting.

I'm Irish, i like your language, its very cool.

All languages are sacred. Please keep up your good work. God bless. Language loss is heritage loss.

WOW! I didn't know they use letters š and č the same way as in my language (Slovenian).

itȟuŋkála, nitȟuŋkala or witȟuŋkala. In my language Swedish we have lots of differences bigger than that and still we consider it the same language, written the same way (not phonetic in many parts) and the differences are hundreds of dialects. I come from the town of Västerås in when I grew up we had one dialect in this town and just 20 miles away we hade a least two other dialects ... lots of local words, still the same language .... problems when spelling and writing in a language turn too phonetic and we can never decide what is the correct spelling. Swedish has a superficially phonetic spelling but lot of crazy remnants from 17th century or earlier .... well, one language, and just one correct way of spelling and that is written in 'stone' by the Swedish Academy, and I think it should be simple for those who grew up with the language. But of course, if you are in a situation where lotsa ppl dont know how to speak, then of course a phoneticly based system is good

I love the sound of your language - I will say more when I have learnt to speak it.

Thank you so much for teaching us!!!

I've always wanted to visit a Native American reservation but first I feel it is important to learn a bit of the language and culture. I'm half Mexican half Puerto Rican and many say I could pass as a southern native american. My dad has quite a bit of native blood tracing up as far north as Navajo considering he's from Michouacan. In south east mexico. On my moms side it's mostly Spanish and a very little bit of Arab blood. But I am tall, Ive got high cheek bones and dark slightly reddish pink skin from my dad and my moms personality and nose.

Can I get the books to learn this language?

The language of my tribe was colonized and forgotten/replaced completely by Spanish after my great great grandfather, so I am very thankful for this. It heals my soul. I know I have Native Blood confirmed by a DNA test, sadly, the culture was lost. Thank you for teaching this, even if it is not directly the same, the spirit is similar.

Hello! I'm from Kazakhstan.I am fond of the history of my people. My homeland is in Central Asia.Studying the history of my people, I learned that many words in the languages of the peoples of Central Asia, Siberia and Altai are similar to the language of the Indians of America. Especially the language of the Quechua Indians and the Lakota SGU.For example : Wakan- Kagan - Leader; tani - tani - know, meet; Icu - Icu - drink; Bagana-Bagana-pillar;Icu-Icu-drink..... In total, approximately 500 words. It's true?

Thank You as I find myself watching your class again and again learning and want to learn more.

What is the textbook that Sam High Crane uses and referred to at the beginning?

Rest in peace Samuel High Crane you'll be missed

this is GREAT!! where can I get the book he is teaching from? are online classes offered?

I wish one day I can speak Lakota fluently, My great grandma used to be fluent but the wašíču people beat our elders every time they spoke our language even my papa used to speak Lakota before he was forced to learn English now I wanna learn and revive our dying language and speak it to my elders so I can communicate with them comfortably and I wish to teach others Lakota in the future when I hope I’m fluent

Thank you so much. I have now figured a lot of my DNA listening to you...

we do not leave anyone behind if you were Lakota you would know that

The book is called reading And writing Lakota by Albert white

Hi Sam, I looked in the comments, but I didn't see anyone else mention this. There a Yiddish word which is also a term of endearment - it can mean sweetie or darling or sweetheart and it sounds very much like baby-la. The word is spelled many ways. "Bubbela" is one of many spelling variations.

Finding this content is awesome. I've been wanting to learn Lakota since watching s2e8 of Westworld, which was the episode spoken almost entirely in Lakota with English subtitles. WHAT IS THE BOOK HE REFERS TO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE VIDEO?

Wowww, this is thoroughly fascinating from a history standpoint!!

I taught industrial arts at Spring Creek School in the late 70's. It is a beautiful place. I often wonder what happened to Charles Crazy Cat and lots of other kids. I knew real survivors of Custer's Last Stand. They were wonderful people.

'La' is used as an endearing accent in Malaysia too

Thank you for this lesson on who I really am on this earth the true Lakota the children of the earth the chosen ones of the earth thodah ahtha

I have dream of my relatives I think of them on their horses the Lakota Sioux they were beautiful

True people of the land that is today called united states of america spoke a beautiful and graceful language.

The language of heroes. Do not let their language die.

Respect from china. Much appreciated for teaching us.

Great video and I think we were here long before and that if anything it is us who crossed over the bearing straight into Asia.

I'm very happy I found this. Sadly im not a full blooded Lakota. I am white, Apache and a little Lakota

I think so to. I believe that it is a Great amount of time that the Lakota have lived on the Land

I’m from the Rainwater Family South Dakota

It is more than an honer for a teacher to teach what some should not know but within themselves

Lakota is the BEST!

you speek rather good english. greetings from germany

Thank you Elder ❤️

My name is Dallas I am Sioux indian thank you elder can you please tell me about the Pow Wows I'd like to attend thank you

I thank you. I am humbled with your wisdom.

I have a question. In the example with Unci-la and Hokshicala - "La" was used as to saying "that person is very loved by me or it´s very special for me" but then we have the word "itunkala" which also ends in la ---- Clearly not the same. Can you explain that for me, please?

So grateful for Your teachings 💖🙏💯💪

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

I like that stuck words. I no too. And way of thinking.

My grandmother told me stories about her and her baby sister being in the building school

Hello! My name is Carlos from Spain and I am looking for good books to learn Lakota language! I am very interesting in that culture and I would like to learn that language. Maybe you can recommend me some books for self study. Thanks a lot!!!

I wanna teach lakota and i'm Turkish from Turkey