E65: A'paitsitapisksinimaattsaa (Weasel People Education) – Revitalizing Blackfoot language and culture through land-based learning

"It's my dream. It's our dream. It's the polytechnic's dream. But it's a dream of our elders that we keep going." ~ Marcia Black Water, Indigenous Coordinator for the Centre for Business, Arts, and Sciences 

Marcia Black Water (Indigenous Coordinator for CBAS), Jessica Fox (English and Blackfoot Instructor), and Sandra Atwood (Indigenous Studies Instructor) partnered to create A'paitsitapisksinimaattsaa – a program rooted in Blackfoot ways of knowing.

In this deeply heartfelt conversation, Marcia, Jessica, and Sandra discuss how this course has been a slow dream come true through community relationships.

The trio hope that through pommotsiiysinni (a Blackfoot word meaning the transfer and gaining of knowledge, and understanding your place in the world) this program will meet both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students where they are at – and even spark the next generation of leaders.

During the show, guests and host (Donna) mention:

• CBAS – Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences 
• Blood Tribe (Kainai) 
• Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksikaitsitapi) 
• Blackfoot word meanings: 
  • Aapaa: Weasel 
  • Kakyosin: Being aware of your surroundings and really knowing what's out there 
  • Niitsitapiiysini: Blackfoot ways of knowing 
  • Miinipooka: Peter Weasel Moccasin 
  • Pommotsiiysinni: Transferring knowledge 
  • Niitsitapi: Real person 
  • Kainaisksaahko: Land-based learning course Maria took with Narcisse Blood 
  • Aakoka’tsinn: Many lodges camp 
  • Niksokowaiksi: Relatives 
  • Poiskinasskin: Sacred Ochre Blessing 
• Indigenous Careers Pathways: 
  • Introduction to Indigenous Studies 
  • Indigenous Literature  
  • Blackfoot Language 1  
  • Blackfoot Language 2 
• Lethbridge Polytechnic programs:
  • Bachelor of Nursing 
  • General Arts and Science 
• Residential Schools in Canada 
• Bloom’s taxonomy 
• University of Calgary 
• University of Lethbridge 
  • Dhillon School of Business 
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump 
• Red Crow College 
• Annabel Crop Eared Wolf’s thesis: MATSIYIPÁÍTAPIIYSSINI: KÁÍNAI PEACEKEEPING AND PEACEMAKING 
• Coulee Walk – Iissksiniip (Coming to Know and Learn) 
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action 
• Wellness Services 
• Niitsitapi Strategy