Since 1993, the Society has endeavored to strengthen and preserve Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota cultures through the development of culture-based writing.
Reorganizing business meeting of the Oak Lake Writers Society in Pierre, SD, on October 20, 2018. Members in attendance (left to right, back row) Edward Valandra, Mabel Picotte (OLWS Chair), Tasiyagnunpa (Livermont) Barondeau (OLWS Sec/Treas), Sarah Hernandez (OLWS Director), Deanna Stands, Ross DuBray, (left to right, front row) Elizabeth Cook-Lynn, Lydia Whirlwind Soldier, Lanniko Lee, Patty Bordeaux Nelson. Present via phone Tate Walker (unpictured).
Attendees of the Oak Lake Writers Society 2015 retreat. Retreats are held annually and are the backbone of the society.
Our Beginning
The Oceti Sakowin Writers Society (formerly known as the Oak Lake Writers’ Society) emerged from the annual retreats that members of the South Dakota State University and Brookings communities began hosting for tribal writers and tribal mentors at the Oak Lake Field Station near Astoria, South Dakota.
Our Work
The Oceti Sakowin Writers Society holds an annual writing retreat for enrolled tribal members of the Oceti Sakowin Oyate. We have also published several volumes of writing by our members, and support various conferences and other events.
Our Mission
The Oceti Sakowin Writers Society organizes literary efforts for the purposes of preserving and defending Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota) cultures, oral traditions, and histories; to reaffirm our peoples’ political statuses; and to regulate and transform representations of such that are inaccurate and damaging. To those ends, we create, research, review, publish, present, and promote works in various genres in a manner that will bring about a greater understanding of our cultures, legacies, and lands.
2011 Attendees of the annual Oak Lake Writers retreat.