Blackfoot language learning opportunities
By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Blackfoot Crossing is holding online programming to teach Blackfoot language and history, and is open to anyone interested.
With the museum and cultural facility closed to the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff there looked to create virtual programming for those interested in Blackfoot culture and history, explained Joanne Red Old Man, coordinator.
Two streams of lessons about Blackfoot culture are being taught. Red Old Man is leading Blackfoot language classes, while Grant Many Heads is teaching a history program.
The pair started planning the programming before the Christmas holidays and began delivering the online workshops in January. The program has proven popular, with close to 50 registrants in each class.
“We’ve had a lot of interest in the program and we’ve had a lot of registrants,” said Red Old Man.
During February, the language class is teaching the numbers of one to 10, names for days and months, and basic greetings. In March, more basic greetings and phrases will be introduced, as well as more numbers. The program will continue into April, building upon these prior lessons.
Red Old Man introduces each word phonetically, so everyone knows how to pronounce it.
“I’m just trying to be interactive with the people that have registered for the class,” she said.
For February, the history lessons are focused on the pre-European contact ‘Dog Days’ of Blackfoot history and aspects of the communal hunt.
Teaching Blackfoot is a welcome opportunity, said Red Old Man.
“For our younger generation, it’s really important they learn it,” she said. “Our language needs to be passed on to our next generation for us to carry on.”
Learning the language is also an interesting opportunity for non-Nation members, she said. Regardless of who is in each class, Red Old Man is making sure the lessons are a safe space to learn, where everyone is welcomed.
“It’s always a challenge learning a new language, but it’s rewarding.”