Sample page from the George Bushotter texts with interlinear English translation (Manuscript 4800 James Dorsey Papers [103], National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution, Courtesy Smithsonian Institution)
Sitting Bull College Library retains copies of the complete Lakota texts by George Bushotter. The texts were written in the 1880s and remain a priceless collection of linguistic material and one of the first instances of Lakota text by a Lakota individual. More information about Bushotter and the Reverend James Dorsey
who worked with him can be found at the link above.
Previously available only in manuscript by through a visit to the Washington D.C. area archive or cost-prohibitive scanning, the texts were digitized by the Smithsonian at the request of Sitting Bull College and others for its value in aiding the revitalization of the Lakota/Dakota language. Possibly this author's insistent prodding of contacts across the vast Smithsonian archipelago helped it along, but the most credit goes to those at the Smithsonian who made it happen. We thank them for their efforts and this gift to the future of the language.
The texts are currently integrated into language activities at the college, the annual Dakota/Lakota Summer Institute and other associated language efforts, while work continues on transcribing and revealing new knowledge from within the texts. An invaluable collection helping the future of the Lakota/Dakota language.
The full 3,500 pages of text can be accessed online at the links below or at Sitting Bull College Library.