The Dakota (Siouxan) Nation is comprised of many sub-nations speaking the Dakota language in a number of dialects. The Santee or Eastern Dakota speak in the 'D' dialect, the Teton or Western Lakota speak in the 'L' dialect, and the Yanktons living along the Missouri River speak in the 'N' dialect. Each of the these dialects has slight differences but not enough to prevent Dakota people from understanding each other. The material in this represents only the Dakota Eastern 'D' dialect as I have learned since Childhood.

--Agnes Ross, Santee