“We’re losing our language at an alarming rate. You rarely, if ever, hear young people speaking our language.”
Alana knows that education holds the key to her long-term success, especially if she’s going to preserve her people’s legacy and Lakota language. Spurred on by tribal elders, Alana is working to establish immersive language nests where young children can start learning Lakota even before their formal education begins.
Alana recognizes the importance of one’s identity and an education when setting up children for success at an early age. A lot of kids in her community got involved with drinking and drug use and she witnessed the devastation firsthand.
“Our very identity as a people depends on preserving our language, and I’m determined to make that happen.” The educational opportunities offered through the College Fund have opened doors for Alana and set her on a path—a path others can follow.