Recent studies of American Indian dialects of English have focused on efforts to determine whether the sources of such dialectal variation lie in interference from the native languages or in developmental errors in the acquisition of English. The implication of both assumptions is that educational intervention and the passage of time can eradicate such errors. Present day Indian speakers of nonstandard varieties are keenly aware of their limited English skills while younger native speakers are especially cognizant of the need to acquire the standard code. However, these desires are impaired by the lack of funding for programs to improve English skills. Research at a Sioux reservation school in South Dakota is cited as evidence of the pervasive use of nonstandard varieties of English. While fewer people speak the native Lakota, an increasing number speak Lakota English. Examples of Lakota English variations are provided. Without the recognition that such dialects exist, Indian children will have difficulty in learning standard versions of English. Thus, it is important to document the existence of non-standard versions of English and to consider their existence when designing native language maintenance or transition to English language programs. (RW)