Indigenous Language Poster Series underway in Montana

Under the Montana Indian Education for All Program, administered by the Office of Public Instruction (OPI), cultural resource staff are beginning to develop material to produce a series of Indigenous Language posters that will be available to all students in Montana.

Tribal words and phrases that showcase positive and affirmative values, whole child development skills are goals for all Montana students. Posters will be developed featuring indigenous words and their translations. The poster will be available for display in all school and related spaces and entered into a computer “app” accessible to interested parties. All Montana tribal nations will be represented in the project. During March – April the Language Poster development is beginning. During May-July participated speakers will submit words or phrases along with translations and August-September, work will continue on submission of words, phrases along with translations along with development and production of the posters. The posters will be then be available to local schools and other parties.

According to OPI this project leverages the power of culture, language and positive self-identity in American Indian students towards school attendance and academic success. “Besides that, it is just a lot of fun to have interactive learning tools,” said Josephine Firecrow, retired elementary teacher and current Chief Dull Knife College cultural resources staffer. “Years ago, we did not have these types of materials available for the classroom.”

The Montana Indian Education for All Act is unique: Based on 1972 Montana Constitution, Article X, Section I Constitution states: “The state recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity.”

To meet the constitutional requirements, in 1999 Montana Legislature passed the Indian Education for All Act. The act did the following: Reaffirm the 1972 constitutional language; mandate that every Montana public school student learn about the distinct and unique heritage of American Indians in a culturally responsive manner; Direct state and local schools to work with Montana tribes to develop appropriate curriculums regarding American Indian culture and heritage; and Mandate that all public school personnel have knowledge of American Indian tribes and cultures in Montana and are provided the means to acquire this knowledge.

Montana’s constitutional requirement and duly enacted policy require recognition of the distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians and a commitment in our educational goals to preserve their cultural heritage. Every Montanan, whether Indian or non-Indian, should be encouraged to learn about the distinct and unique heritage of American Indians in a culturally responsive manner. The OPI Indian Education for All (IEFA) Unit works with districts, tribes, and other entities to ensure all schools have the knowledge, tools and resources necessary to honor the IEFA requirement and integrate it into their teaching materials and methods.

In 2007, the Montana State Legislature passed Montana Code Annotated 20-9-330, appropriating funds to school districts to support American Indian students in their educational journey and work to close the statistical achievement gap. The American Indian Student Achievement Specialists provide guidance to districts regarding this funding and are tasked with fulfilling reporting requirements to the Montana State Legislature as outlined in MCA 20-9-330. As part of the Tribal Student Achievement and Relations unit, a key element of the American Indian Student Achievement Specialists work is to engage Tribes in consultation as outlined in MCA 20-1-502.

Chief Dull Knife staffers at the Cultural Resource Center under the direction of Mina Seminole selected emotions as their focus, illustrated by colorful ‘smiley face’ illustrations, presented in a humorous and colorful way, sure to appeal to students. “We’re sure having fun with this project,” commented Lenora Wolfblack, also cultural resources aid. Even adult Cheyenne’s are looking at them and learning new words. Lacey Elliot, student language intern is also assisting and community members/tribal language speakers such as Teresa Crazymule have also volunteered to help.

OPI has developed a wealth of teaching/educational resources available to all schools and interested parties. These include: Montana Tribal History Resources: American Indians 101 – Frequently Asked Questions; History and Foundation of American Indian Education; Montana Indian Law Website; Montana Indians: Their History and Location; Guide; The; Map of Tribal Territories in Montana; Montana Tribes Digital Archives Website; and Tribal Flags Descriptions.

Maps: Tribal Territories Map; Montana Map with Reservations and Montana Map with Reservations unlabeled. 

Tribal Education Directories: Directory of Indian Education Programs in Montana.

Montana Tribal Colleges include the following which will be participating in the Poster Project: Blackfeet Reservation: Blackfeet Community College; Crow Reservation: Little Big Horn College; Flathead Reservation: Salish Kootenai College; Fort Belknap: Aaniiih Nakoda College; Fort Peck: Fort Peck Community College;Northern Cheyenne: Chief Dull Knife College; and Rocky Boy’s Reservation: Stone Child College.

For information regarding the project contact matthew.bell@mt.gov, (406)544-2868.

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennereview@gmail.com)

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