To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Oceti Sakowin Writers Society (formerly the Oak Lake Writers’ Society), Sarah Hernandez (Sicangu Lakota) and Christopher Pexa (Spirit Lake Dakota) are co-editing a special issue of SAIL: Studies in American Indian Literature dedicated to the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota literary traditions. Over the past century, Oceti Sakowin writers have published more than two hundred books, representing a variety of genres and topics. In 1902, Charles Eastman (Santee Dakota) published Indian Boyhood, the first full-length book to focus on Dakota culture and history. He published ten more books that subsequently paved the way for numerous other Oceti Sakowin writers and scholars to publish books and articles related to D/N/Lakota languages, culture, spirituality, history, politics, etc. This special issue seeks to center these writers and celebrate their contributions to the Oceti Sakowin intellectual tradition.

In March and April, Hernandez and Pexa hosted multiple writing review workshops so that OSWS members could share their submissions for this upcoming issue. Over the past few months, the following individuals – including, Kateri Bird, Christopher Bordeaux, Patty Bordeaux-Nelson, Jessica Garcia-Fritz, Lanniko Lee, and Gabrielle Tateyuskanskan – have been working on book reviews and essays that honor and celebrate our literary ancestors. This special issue, which includes both critical and creative works, is anticipated for release in spring 2024.