Interview · North Dakota · Demus McDonald
Themes: Kinship & family, Identity & belonging, Education & learning, Values & generosity, Intergenerational learning
New transcript-based questions created with AI assistance using Scott Simpson’s Learn About and Learn From guide.
Learn About questions
1. What did Demus McDonald's grandmother teach him about his family and Dakota identity?
2. How did she connect knowing who he was with finishing school and going to college?
3. What does his account show about teaching through the Dakota language?
Learn From questions
1. What messages from an older relative have helped me know who I am?
2. How do my educational goals connect with my responsibilities to family or community?
3. What meaning might be lost when a teaching is separated from the language in which it was shared?
Transcripts
06 Demus McDonald: Identity Lessons
Watch this interview on YouTubeTo see the two ahead who you are she said Yatta Takashi no CIO pugilists on your dad’s side regret your great-grandfather’s name mood shot in the foot CRO P means wounded but he was shot and more so then on their mouth side she said you walking of sky at IO you come from white thunder at Standing Rock see the towers for my mother and then what you are needed are kata me doc Jota there are Dakota don’t forget that your Dakota and then why you going to school why are going to school to graduate won’t spare you near kicked up new graduate who you are and then we are going from left the town toka dicta where are you going after you graduate and then that’s called walk on TR wow that’s college that we are going while you’re in school to graduate we’re going from there to college so those are teaching that all in Dakota not here the people now they’re trying to use these and that’s what I went by when I was a kid the teachings that I went by just like Oliver said there’s four original values of Dakota and now the last I heard those eight and then again now just lately this 12 but
Affiliation sources
NDNAEU document credits: Demus McDonald — Spirit Lake (Dakota).
Video title and URL from the supplied Teachings of Our Elders transcript document.
Source materials
Supplied transcript documents. Text and transcription uncertainties are preserved as supplied.