Blackfoot Culture & Language Specialist

My Indigenous Ancestry

I'm Niitsitapii (The Original People) and live in Kainai (Blood Tribe). My parents are the late Bernard and Rita Tallman. I'm an elder in my community and utilize my language knowledge and cultural knowledge to help the younger generation gain their identity. I'm one of the fluent Blackfoot Speakers and help language programs. 

My role with Niitsitapii has been Blackfoot Culture and Language Specialist. I'm here as a resource to the organization and provide services as a volunteer. It's important to work together to build this support to enhance indigenous communities and I'm here to provide my knowledge and skills to those in need. 

I utilize my language speaking to help the youth and my children learn the Blackfoot language. I taught in grade school with the Kainai Board of Education as I have my degree in Education and Management. I utilize my understanding of the English language and translate Blackfoot and English and transcribe. I love learning and my teaching career brought me to the University of Montana. Here I taught elementary Blackfoot to the students for a few years. It was a great experience and I'm happy to support Niitsitapii as a Blackfoot Culture and Language Specialist.

The impact of my work has been the regular encounters, turning into inclusive spaces. Where I can use my language, not fully but in a way that shows me I'm in this language environment. The satisfaction of having it learned by others has made me appreciate the blessing of being a fluent speaker. I see the work getting through to the youth and if we didn't have options they wouldn't hear our language at all in society.

Seeing the satisfaction of using your language in the faces of youth is motivating and keeps me working in this field of education. We want you to feel comfortable and safe learning at all levels from beginner to advanced. 

Email: info@niitsitapii.com

Your donation will help us continue our mission and support our community. Every dollar counts and will make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Donations can be sent:

Niitsitapii

2223 South 9th Street West

Missoula, MT 59807