Blackfoot language program offered to Calgarians aims to keep Indigenous culture and oral traditions alive
For Kolton Running Crane, the Blackfoot language is more than just a way of communicating in his native tongue.
“I think language is a fundamental part of one’s identity and that’s what makes us unique as Indigenous people because every tribe has a different language and I think it’s important to know where we come from,” he said.
“The base of all indigenous cultures revolves around language.”
The 16-year-old from the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana has been working with Azren Raju, the owner a language tutoring business called the Calgary Language Nerds over the past few months to develop a curriculum aimed at teaching the language online to others.
Raju had goals of his own to start teaching the language so he put the call out to Blackfoot speakers on Facebook and Running Crane answered within minutes.
“I had learned how the Glenbow Museum in Calgary was working on Blackfoot language revitalization efforts. I thought that was really cool and that I could use some of my knowledge about language learning to help,” Raju said.
“Together Kolton and I are now continuously building on the curriculum and making more resources because there are virtually no resources for learning Blackfoot, especially in comparison to French, Spanish or other more widely spoken languages.
An online Blackfoot language course complete with resources along with live and pre-recorded lessons for the general public will now be offered starting on Sept. 30.
You can sign up for the courses online.
LOCAL NON-PROFIT BENEFITS FROM LANGUAGE PROGRAM
Blackfoot language lessons taught online by Kolton Running Crane and The Calgary Language Nerds have already been taking place for the past two months at Katimavik – a non-profit group in Calgary which invites youth to gain life skills and work experience by contributing to their community.
Project leader Lily Lam says the group had been looking at adding Blackfoot lessons and finally found the opportunity.
She adds that much of the Blackfoot language was lost in Canada’s residential school system, but efforts to bring its roots back to the public are stronger than ever.
“This is something we really wanted to do for our house for quite some time,” Lam said.
“There is so much history and culture within this language that doesn’t get translated so learning it has really been a strong avenue for myself and the participants to gain more perspective on the land that we live on here at Treaty Seven."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Flights divert around western Iran as one report claims explosions heard near Isfahan
Commercial flights began diverting their routes early Friday morning over western Iran without explanation as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic claimed there had been 'explosions' heard over the city of Isfahan.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.