About
Ponca Nation
The Language
The Ponca language (Paⁿka) is a Dhegiha Siouan language spoken by the Ponca people of Oklahoma and Nebraska. For generations, it was passed down through oral tradition. Then government boarding schools systematically forced children to abandon their native tongue.
Today, fewer than 40 fluent speakers remain, all elders. This makes every word we preserve critical. Our translator draws directly from their knowledge, capturing words and meanings that span from the late nineteenth century to the present day.
Our Mission
We built this translator to support the Ponca people's ongoing efforts to revitalize their language. Whether you're a tribal member reconnecting with your heritage, a student learning Ponca, or a linguist studying Siouan languages, this resource serves as a bridge between past and future, helping preserve a language that carries centuries of history, ceremony, and identity.
Why This Matters
The dictionary is the culmination of decades of work and persistence to save a language the U.S. federal government worked hard to eradicate.
The Ponca people have survived forced removal, the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma in 1877, and systematic attempts to eliminate their culture. Their language carries within it centuries of history, ceremony, and identity.
In Ponca tradition, personal and tribal history lives in songs and stories. When the language fades, these connections to ancestors and homeland fade with it. Every word we preserve strengthens the fabric of Ponca identity and keeps alive the voices of those who came before us.
Fancy Dancers - Preserving Cultural Traditions