Ryan Dixon

All SeriesIápi Wakán: Sacred Languages

Feb 8

Written By Lindell Haywahe

Air Date: February 8, 2026

Summary

Episode 15 - Interview with Ryan Dixon

**SERIES**

Iápi Wakán: Sacred Languages - Season 2

**HOST & PRODUCER**
Lindell Haywahe

Episode Guests

Ryan Dixon was first introduced to the Dakota language as a child by his grandmother on the Pine Ridge Reservation. He later trained as an apprentice at Dakota Wicohan under several first-language speakers and now teaches at Lower Sioux. He holds certification in teaching Dakota language and American Indian studies from the State of Minnesota. Ryan teaches students, educators, and community members at Cansayapi Wakanyeza Owayawa Oti School and also provides Dakota language classes to high school students in nearby schools.

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Tommy Christian

Interview with Tommy Christian

Ryan Dixon

Interview with Ryan Dixon

Kenneth (Tuffy) Helgeson

Interview with Kenneth (Tuffy) Helgeson

Clayton Waditika

Interview with Clayton Waditika

Ally Bear

Interview with Ally Bear

Leadership Address

Akisa Redsoldier

Duane Hollow Horn Bear

Gabe & Jasmine Akipa

Gabe and Jasmin Akipa

Kevin Tacan

Kyle Napier

Michael Lavallee

Michael Lavallee, youth language presentation.

Vanessa Goodthunder

Redwing Thomas

Duane Hollow Horn Bear

Listen to Duane share what he learned from his Elders and relatives about the History of his people, the Oceti Sakowin through storytelling.

Janna Wilson & Sonya Bird

Learn about the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization and how the University of Victoria works with community partners to deliver flexible community-based credit courses that help provide the foundational knowledge and skills for students to engage in, contribute to or initiate language revitalization initiatives in their homes, families, schools and communities.

Henry J. Quick Bear Sr. & Sarah Hart

Oswald McKay shares stories and lessons in English and his first-language, Dakota. He shares the pride of his first-language with listeners.

Oswald McKay

Oswald McKay shares stories and lessons in English and his first-language, Dakota. He shares the pride of his first-language with listeners.

Iris McKay

DECOLONIZING AND PROMOTING OUR OČÉTI ŠAKÓWĮ LIFEWAYS attention is devoted to promoting settler ways of living that highlight colonialist ideals. In hindsight, we are attracting, promoting, and internalizing traumatic dehumanizing discourse that impacts our nagi (spirit) furthering harm to our cultural and linguistic autonomy. Decolonization is often unpleasant, contradictory and questions our beliefs and experiences. Our language is foundational to our well-being as Dakota, Nakota and Lakota people. It is our protection and provides guidance but first we must allow ourselves to think “wakán ič’ina - deem oneself sacred” as intended ̨́ by our Creator-Great Spirit. This presentation is meant to identify common sense approaches through language that will allow change and revelation, embarking on a personal decolonization discourse. By looking inward, we begin to define and make connections to our Očéti Šakówį lifeways, and further the dialogue for ourselves.

Jim Red Eagle

Jim will share knowledge, stories and information that he collected throughout his life journey and experiences.

Harold Blacksmith

A recording of a speech given by Harold Blacksmith in both English and his first language, Dakota. He shares stories of his life, the lessons he has been taught and intends to carry onto others. Blacksmith also shares the importance language has in his own and his community’s lives, and future generations.

Iápi Wakán: Sacred Languages - Bonus Interviews

A collection of bonus interviews conducted and produced by Lindell Haywahe, Amanda Leader, and William Alexander Yuzicapi. Our producers interviewed a variety of individuals so they could share their life journeys as fluent and student speakers of their languages.

Vanessa Goodthunder

Vanessa Goodthunder's presentation focused on the Dakota language and Wicohan (Way of Life) that is taught to children from birth to five-years-old. Her goal is to expand this program to older children. She says the five-year-olds will be co-teachers in the advanced program.

Arvol Looking Horse

In his presentation, Arvol Looking Horse talks about the importance of World Peace and Prayer Day--June 21, and his life journey that brought him to the Oceti Sakowin conference.

CultureCreeMichifMechifBusinessInspirationSuccess StoriesIndigenous TraditionsNews and PoliticsLanguageConferenceDakotaLakotaNakota

Lindell Haywahe

Ryan Dixon

Summary

Iápi Wakán: Sacred Languages - Season 2

Episode Guests

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Tommy Christian

Kenneth (Tuffy) Helgeson