Rising Voices/Hótȟaŋiŋpi

“Rising Voices/Hótȟaŋiŋpi” tells the story of a passionate, dedicated, and diverse group of people who are working together to save the Lakota language. Told through the voices of a wide range of Lakota people, the film also incorporates four short films created for “Rising Voices” by Lakota filmmakers and artists; each one gives a perspective on how finding one’s authentic “language” connects a person to a deeper sense of identity and culture.

“Rising Voices” offers a snapshot into a day-to-day struggle of one of the biggest Native American nations, and illuminates the devastating problem of ancestral language loss to Native American people. Though the Lakota nation has over 170,000 tribal members, only 6,000 still speak Lakota today. The average age of the native speakers is now almost 70.

Exclusive pre-screening. “Rising” Voices is presented and distributed nationally by American Public Television (APT) and will premiere on public television stations nationwide beginning November 1, 2015 (check local listings).

Sponsored by the Native American Art Affinity Group.