schools
Summer Dakota camp gives students a window into a language and a worldview
By Becky Z. Dernbach at Sahan Journal
· June 26, 2026
· 6 min read
After the smudging ceremony that began the day, and before breaking into small groups to practice Dakota language skills, Neil McKay gave his campers a pep talk.
“I did not start becoming conversational till I was 25,” he told the participants of Dakota Language Camp in Bloomington on Thursday...
Key takeaway “I did not start becoming conversational till I was 25,” he told the participants of Dakota Language Camp in Bloomington on Thursday.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The Dakota Language Camp in Bloomington offers a unique opportunity for Minneapolis -area residents to engage with the local Native American community and learn about the importance of preserving indigenous languages. As the camp continues to grow and attract new participants, it also highlights the need for more language and cultural programs in the Twin Cities. The fact that most instructors at the camp are second language learners themselves underscores the impact of historical trauma on the Dakota community, and the efforts being made to revitalize the language. The collaboration between the city of Bloomington and the University of Minnesota's Dakota Language Program is a positive step towards reconciliation and cultural preservation. As the camp looks to the future, it will be important to see how it can be expanded and replicated in other parts of the city, and how it can contribute to a broader effort to promote indigenous language and cultural revitalization in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
About this story
Original reporting by Sahan Journal . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Sahan Journal . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: Sahan Journal ·
Reading time: 6 min
Get more The Minneapolis stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering schools and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? After the smudging ceremony that began the day, and before breaking into small groups to practice Dakota language skills, Neil McKay gave his campers a pep talk.
“I did not start becoming conversational till I was 25,” he told the participants of Dakota Language Camp in Bloomington on Thursday...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by Sahan Journal and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Becky Z. Dernbach at Sahan Journal. To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More schools →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter