Native Languages Center

LANGUAGE PROGRAMS ›

Blackfeet Community College

Blackfeet Reservation, Browning, MT
bfcc.edu ➚

Language

Piikani (Blackfeet)

Academic Programs

Language in the Community

The Piegan Institute is located on the Blackfeet Reservation and was founded in 1987 with a mission is to promote, preserve, research and restore Native American Languages. In the 1990s all-day immersion school (grades 1-8) was established so that children could learn to speak the language.

Langauge

The Blackfoot language (Siksiká) is an Algonquin language spoken by the Blackfoot (Niitsitapi) people. There are four dialects: Siksiká / ᓱᖽᐧᖿ (Blackfoot), to the southeast of Calgary, Alberta; Kainai / ᖿᐟᖻ (Blood, Many Chiefs), spoken in Alberta between Cardston and Lethbridge; Aapátohsipikani / ᖳᑫᒪᐦᓱᑯᖿᖹ (Northern Piegan), to the west of Fort MacLeod which is Brocket (Piikani) and Aamsskáápipikani / ᖳᐢᔈᖿᑯᑯᖿᖹ (Southern Piegan), in northwestern Montana.

Teaching Requirements in Montana

To teach Native languages in Montana, a Montana Class 7 American Indian Language and Culture Specialist Licensure ➚ is required. Verification by the authorized representative of a Tribal government that an applicant has met the tribal standards for competency and fluency is a requisite for applying for Class 7 certification.

The one-Year Certificate in Piikani Studies & Language meets the standards of competency and fluency with integrity for application for the Class 7 Certificate.

Explore More Language Programs

The map below shows the locations of the 37 TCUs across the country. To learn more about each TCU and the language programs offered within those institutions, hover over each pin on the map.

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