The founders of Bdote Learning Center conceptualized a language immersion, place-based charter school that would not only engage children, but their families, and other community members. Bdote was created out of a need for language restoration and as a way to engage Native students that were being lost in other schools not reflecting their identities. The name Bdote Learning Center was chosen because "Bdote" is the Dakota word for the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers (also called Pike Island at the Ft. Snelling state park) believed to be the origin place of Minnesota's first peoples. We also see it as a metaphor for the coming together of the best of Native and western knowledge. Bdote opened is doors on August 25, 2014