LLC tried something new this summer: a rental house in the Black Hills was the laboratory for an experimental four-day “clinic” of intensive Lakota language instruction and use in a home setting. Twelve adults participated as students with four instructors. The participants were either non-speakers or speakers wishing to build their fluency to a higher level. “Mostly we were testing out some methods and activities that we can use on a larger scale in immersion camps in the future,” said LLC Executive Director Wil Meya. “Overall, this was a good start for similar retreats or camps for both youth and adults. The participants were all very happy with the experience, a lot of language was used, dozens of new verbs and vocabulary words were learned and used in very practical contexts like eating and cleaning up and going here and there. The teachers learned a lot, too – they were able to anticipate issues down the road, and make improvements.” Instructors were Manny Iron Hawk, Ben Black Bear, Peter Hill, and Jan Ullrich. Although the clinic took place in a home setting, it was not designed as an immersion experience. English was used between participants, but instructors tried to use as much Lakota as possible. The weekend was free to the volunteer participants, and the instructors donated their time. Participants came from Pine Ridge, Standing Rock, and Cheyenne River.
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