Dakota Language and Culture
Mitakuye oyasin can be understood as “we are all related”.
A thread of Dakota culture weaves throughout.
In the spirit of recognizing our region’s first people, the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota features a thread of Dakota experiences in its exhibits, programs, and facility. Through these touchpoints, visitors will understand that Dakota culture and stories are still present amongst the people, culture, and landscape of Minnesota today.
This exhibit is great for...
understanding that Dakota language and literacy are carriers of culture and tradition.
Nature
Celebrate the Dakota tradition of living in harmony with seasonal change, using language, textile art, and storytelling to honor the distinct rhythms of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Children engage with natural materials, participate in collaborative art, and encounter Dakota words for seasonal elements, creating a space where language, nature, and play come together in a meaningful, interactive way.
Living Language
The Dakota language is found throughout our Museum. Prominently placed overhead at the Museum’s entrance, "Ded yahipi kiŋ waṡte," says welcome to visitors. And once inside, nearly every child interacts by selecting, listening, and imitating one of three Dakota greeters, thus ensuring all visitors hear and recognize the Dakota language. Even our youngest visitors can be heard repeating the words and intonation of our greeters as they come and go.
Textile Art
The textile art installation by Gwen Westerman is grounded in connectedness, history, wellness, and oral tradition. This seasonal display was inspired by, and made with, children at the Museum and is rotated as the seasons change.