Blackfoot language classes are being offered Thursdays in-person at the Galt Museum or online through Zoom until June 27.
“The Blackfoot has been around just as long as the people have been here. It’s very much part of the land and there’s a lot of history behind the language. It’s a lifestyle. It’s part of something that goes along with our culture. It’s helped sustain us for thousands of years,” says Joey Blood, a Blackfoot Resource Hub cultural specialist.
“We’re at a pivotal point now where the language is dwindling. The fluent speakers are dwindling, so we’re at a moment where we need to work on revitalizing the language and keeping it strong.”
Blood adds it is fortunate there are still fluent speakers who have worked to keep the Blackfoot language intact, including Blood’s mom who is a Blackfoot immersion teacher and principal through the Kainai Board of Education. “She’s one of many who are helping to keep the language going.”
According to Blood, the whole purpose of the Blackfoot Resource Hub partnering with the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society and the museum is for community members to have an opportunity to learn the language and hear it from a different perspective. “Each of the instructors that come in, they’ve all been shown and taught differently. The essence of it is still the same, but sometimes we are shown and taught differently.”
Some of the ages of the instructors vary, notes Blood. “It’s not a huge difference, but it does show we’ve all been taught the language at different times in our lives. The older generation are the more fluent speakers, but you do have the younger ones still playing catch up. It’s also inspiring. It’s proof anyone can learn the language. It’s just putting that effort into it.”
As for the classes, Blood says there’s been quite a diverse demographic of individuals participating each week. The first class had between 50 and 60 participants when it began last month with around 70 participating online. “It’s been a good turnout,” he says.
Blood says the Blackfoot language has had to evolve through the times. “The thing with the language is it was taught orally. It wasn’t something we wrote down. The concept of writing language is fairly new. With the changing of times, we use what tools we have now. Being able to provide online learning, as well as recording, we’re taking full advantage of those opportunities.”
Another purpose of the Blackfoot Resource Hub is to help the Blackfoot reconnect to their identity and to create that better sense of belonging and community, says Blood, and the Blackfoot language classes encompass both.
Classes are offered free from 6-8 p.m. with supper served at 5:30 p.m.