Stoney | Nakota
The Stoney language is a Dakotan group of the Siouan language (Language Geek, 2020) spoken in two communities in Treaty Six, the Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation and Paul Band Nation. They can also be identified through other anthropological terms such as the Nakota, Nakoda, and Assiniboine (Yanktonai Parks & DeMallie, 1992, p. 233). The Nakota spoken in this area has its own dialects versus others, for example, the sounds are different when it comes to speaking certain letters. Most recently, the survival of the Nakota language became a concern as the current most fluent speaker is approximately fifty years old.
To listen to how the language sounds, please watch the following video:
The Stoney | Nakota language strives to preserve their language through monthly language sessions, a Stoney language dictionary app, as well as the option to learn at Yellowhead Tribal College, Edmonton, AB.
Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation
The Alexis Nakota are considered the most northerly and westerly Sioun speaking community on Turtle Island (Baydala, 2013). They are located near Lac St. Anne Lake, Alberta, and history finds they travelled from the United States near Minnesota, USA. They migrated for survival as they found themselves being oppressed and hunted by government officials.
They also refer to themselves as the Isga Nation. The Isga Nation can be identified through family clans, bundle carriers and matriarchal lineages (Potts, 2000). However, to truly understand who they are, one must know and understand their language and culture. To understand their language, helps to understand their history, culture, stories and way of life. As Aginas (2020) points out it is a connection to the past, to spirit, our identity, that our language helps to explain everything.
Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation
The Paul Band
The Paul Band is more diverse as they speak both Cree and Stoney in their community. They are not far from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. They are located nearby to another local lake called Wabamen Lake, Alberta. Paul Band comprises both Cree and Stoney speakers. The Stoney speakers from Paul Band are related to Alexis Nakota Sious Nation. It has been documented that the group split up at some point in the late 1800’s (Paul Band Nation History, 2020).
Paul First Nation
http://www.paulfirstnation.com/
