Clifford Canku, assistant professor of practice for Dakota Studies, is the co-author of the recently released textbook, “Tokaheya Dakota Iapi Kin/Beginning Dakota,” published by Minnesota Historical Society Press. Canku’s co-authors are two of his former Dakota language students at the University of Minnesota–Morris, Jody Snow and Nicolette Knudson. Snow succeeded Canku as Dakota language instructor at UM-Morris when Canku joined NDSU in 2009.

Before publication, the book was tested in self-published form in Dakota language courses at NDSU, UM-Morris and Sisseton Wahpeton College in South Dakota. It is now available to colleges, universities and the public.