In effort to preserve language, website posts news in Lakota
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A new website created with a primarily Native American audience in mind is posting news, weather and other features in Lakota.
Its creators hope it will help preserve a language that after years of assimilation policies is spoken by fewer than 2,000 people.
The local news on Woihanble.com (WO'-ee-hahn-bleh.com) comes from area weeklies, and articles include audio clips in Lakota — in recognition that many more speak the language than read it.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Co-creator Peter Hill says he hopes the website will give fluent speakers and learners of Lakota a resource to practice their skills.
The site — whose name translates to "dream" — includes news, sports, culture, weather and other sections.
Articles on the site now cover topics including meth on the reservation and a protest against an oil pipeline.