Speakers

I currently serve as the Language and Culture Specialist with the Tribal Student Achievement and Relations Unit at the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Alongside my team, we assist educators and education officials regarding Indian Education for All and help teachers create the spaces for all students to learn. We understand relationships are the foundation of the learning process and seek to build them within each community and across the state.

Oki, my name is Pookitsoa’aakii Jocelyn Big Throat-Vielle. I am a proud member of the Blood

Tribe (Kainai), located in Southern Alberta — one of the four tribes of the Blackfoot Confederacy. I come from the Fish Eaters Clan, the Many Children Clan, and the Water People.

My parents are Justine and Cletus Big Throat.

I am married to Francis Vielle of the Amsskáápipikani (South Peigan), and together we have

three daughters: Iinaakii (Little Woman), Apoyaakii (Light-Haired Woman), and Aasokinaaki

(Medicine Woman).

For the past 8 years, I have been teaching the Blackfoot language with Browning Public Schools, with the lower grades little learners, Kindergarten ,and 1st grade. I recently

graduated with a Master’s degree in Integrated Indigenous Education – Curriculum and

Instruction from Salish Kootenai College. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree from the University of

Montana Western.

My deep connection to the Blackfoot language and culture comes from my upbringing in a

fluent-speaking family. My grandparents — Annabelle and Max Big Throat, Ben and Sarah

Scout, Victoria and Ron Blackplume, Dan and Philomena Chiefmoon, Gus Chiefmoon, and Jim

and Margaret Young Pine — all raised us to speak our language and live by our traditional

cultural ways. I am passionate about preserving and teaching our Blackfoot language and culture.

A member of the Aaniiih (White Clay Nation) of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in MT, Terry Brockie has devoted much of his life to perpetuating his Tribal culture through language revitalization. Terry currently teaches his native language at Aaniiih/Nakoda College and works as a consultant in education & Tribal economic development.

Awaachiiiákaaté (Dr. Jason Cummins) is an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke Nation and serves as an assistant professor of Educational Leadership at Montana State University (MSU).

Rochelle Whiteman - Deputy Her Crow name is Aasuua Xiassaalaacheesh Home Well Known

She is an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe. She is of the Big Lodge Clan and Child of the Ties The Bundle Clan.

She currently teaches first grade at Crow Agency Public School and previously taught in the Crow Language Immersion program with  the Crow Tribal Head Start. She has been an educator for over 20 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Montana Western. As a mother, grandmother, and educator she is dedicated to supporting and preserving the Crow language, culture and traditions.

Jordan Douglas-Tavani, PhD, is the Project Manager for NILI's Northwest Native American Language Resource Center (NW-NALRC). His work has focused on language description and revitalization in Oregon. A speaker of miluk tɬiis (Miluk, Miluk Coos), he has worked in partnership with the Confederated Tribe of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians to develop curriculum, compile and edit dictionaries, and contribute to literature in the Tribe's three languages: miluk tɬiis, hanis tɬ'ii'iis (Hanis, Hanis Coos), and wa'as (Siuslaw). He focuses his efforts on expanding NILI's capacities and extending the NW-NALRC's inventory of resources. Jordan is a proud citizen of the Tlingit & Haida Nation

Tous, Neneeniino Neci’ Noo’koosei (The woman who brings in the morning water) My name is Claudette Duran nee’eesihnoo.  I am an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho tribe Hinono’eininoo. I am a proud mother of 4 boys.  I recently became a grandmother to a beautiful baby girl in April. I enjoy traveling, sightseeing and camping. Traveling to powwows is my favorite and teaching my kids our culture and language.   I am also the assistant wrestling coach and the head JH cheerleading coach. I was recently hired as the new Hinono’eitiit Neyei3eibeihii for the Kinder  6th and 7th grade.

Mary Ann Duran is 79 years old and will be turning 80 years old this December

2026. She is a fluent N. Arapaho Language Teacher, a story teller and traditional crafts

maker. She loves to bead moccasins of all sizes during her free time and she also

enjoys reading books. She teaches at Arapahoe School as an immersion teacher for

pre-k. She also teaches at Wind River Cares and WhiteBuffalo as mentor, language

teacher, a story teller and an elder. She brings peace and calmness to the groups she

helps with. She enjoys teaching anyone and everyone who is interested in learning

hinono’eitiit. She is one of the last fluent language speakers of our tribe. Her knowledge

is shared with all, she is a huge asset to our Tribe and community.

Alexx Eagleman-James is a Ihaƞkṭuƞwaƞna Daḳota enrolled in Fort Peck. She is the Project Assistant at the Language and Culture Department. She is the only Daḳota Language Instructor at the Fort Peck Community College in Poplar, MT as well as a Daḳota Language teaching specialist in the American Indian Studies Department at the University of Minnesota. She received her Montana Class 7 Native American Language Educator License in 2018 and her AAS Native Language Instructors Degree in 2019. She received her AA in Education as well as her Dakota Teaching certificate at the University of MN in 2020. She recently received her  B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of MSU-Northern 2023. Her life long journey is centered around the Daḳota Language and culture along with creating a safe space to speak, learn, and teach Daḳota through traditional values as well as using best methods for Indigenous language learning. 

Ramey Growing Thunder, Phd, - Dakota/Dine from the Fort Peck Reservation. 26+ years in education, working to preserve and maintain the Dakota and Nakoda Languages and Cultures, and expanding her PhD model of The Thipsinna Dakhod Wichonhan Wakhan (Turnip Dakota Way of Life is Sacred Model) by developing a Tribal K-12 School currently. 

Chris La Tray is an Anishinaabe/Métis storyteller, a descendent of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and a citizen of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. His multi-award winning third book, Becoming Little Shell: A Landless Indian’s Journey Home, was published by Milkweed Editions on August 20, 2024. His first book, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large (2018, Riverfeet Press) won the 2018 Montana Book Award and a 2019 High Plains Book Award. His book of haiku and haibun poetry, Descended from a Travel-worn Satchel, was published in 2021 by Foothills Publishing.

Chris served as the 2025 Kittredge Distinguished Visiting Writer at the University of Montana and was awarded the 2025 Montana Heritage Keeper Award by the Montana Historical Society. 

Chris writes the weekly newsletter "An Irritable Métis" and lives near Frenchtown, Montana. He was the 11th Montana poet laureate (Aug. 2023 – Aug. 2025).

Kahee’ My name is Reva Little Owl-Not Afraid. I have taught at Crow Agency School for 35 years and Dual Language for eight years before my retirement. Crow Language was my first language and I have lived on the Crow Reservation all my life. I have a BA in Elementary Education and a MS in Reading and Literacy. I am still involved with Crow Language in the local schools, colleges and the community. Aho’

I am Apsaalooka and Crow is my first language. I have been teaching for 21 years and taught dual-immersion for the past 10 years. I have a BA in Elementary Education and Special Education.  

Tous neito’eino’! Neneeniinoo Heesooku’oot Nii’eihii. Hello all my relations!

My name is Veronica Miller (“Sings Under Water”) and I am the Federal Programs/Indian Education Director here at Arapahoe Schools. 

I have been an educator for over 30 years and a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe. I am largely devoted to the revitalization of the Hinono'eitiit, aided the state in developing Wyoming's Indian Education for All, and advocates on a National level for Indigenous Education.

Ruby Peterson - Apsaalooke name is Sacred Thinker

She is a member of the Bad War Deeds and Child of Whistling Water.

Ruby Peterson is an Apsaalooke educator with 10 years of experience teaching Apsaalooke language immersion at Crow Agency Public School.

She is passionate about preserving and strengthening the Apsaalooke language and culture while creating meaningful learning experiences for students. 

Through her teaching, Ruby is dedicated to helping the next generation connect with their language, identity and community.

Velma is an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe. Her Indian name is Bili’taashisshewaaxpa, Sacred Butterfly, which was given to her by her late Great-Grandfather George Reed, Sr. Velma is a member of the Whistling Water Clan, and a child of the Bad War Deed Clan. Velma was raised by a traditional Crow family, and is a first-language speaker. This has shaped her worldview and dedication to Indigenous language and culture. She is also a member of the Tobacco Society, the NightHawk Dance Society, the Native American Church, and participates in the Crow Sundance. Velma not only designs and beads traditional Crow outfits, she is also a Crow-style traditional dancer. She has traveled extensively throughout the globe, dancing with various Indigenous dance troupes.

Velma is a certified teacher and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education-Business Education from Montana State University-Billings, and a Master’s of Science Degree in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University. She also attained a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation at Marymount University. She is a Crow language and Crow culture educator who has many years of experience teaching Crow Studies. She has developed curriculum for Indigenous language programs, a Crow language proficiency scale, and revised the Crow Language Standards. Velma translates children’s publications and conducts recordings for the Crow Dictionary, Crow books, and an E-Learning platform. Currently, Velma is employed with Billings Public Schools and is dedicated to celebrating, educating, and enriching students with Indigenous language and culture.

Nicole Real Bird - Áxxaash Íkaash (Morning Sunrise)

Crow Agency Public School

2nd Grade Teacher

33 years of teaching experience

9 years in Dual Language Immersion education

Crystal Redgrave is Nakona (Assiniboine) from Fort Peck.  She is an educator and has served Indigenous communities for the past 30 years.  She is the co-founder of Nakona University, a non-profit education organization that teaches the Assiniboine language, culture, and history. 

Bianka Rock Above is an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation. Her Apsáalooke name is Baaxbah Innish, meaning Talks to the Holy One. She is a member of the Ties in the Bundle Clan and a child of the Big Lodge Clan. She is from Pryor, Mt which is located on the Crow Reservation.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Montana State University Billings and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Montana State University Bozeman. She proudly serves as the District Indian Education Director and Families in Transition Coordinator for Hardin Public Schools 17H & 1.

Her work focuses on all student success and supports staff and students with Indian Education for All. She also supports the Class 7 teachers in the Crow Language Immersion program at Crow Agency Public School with assessment and curriculum development.

Winona Rose Runsabove-Killegle. “Little Wolf Woman/ Pretty Flower”

Tituŋwaŋ, Hudeshana, Sisitoŋwaŋ

Nakoda Researcher/Instructor

Fort Peck Tribal Language Culture Department

Class 7 certified Nakoda Language Educator in the state of Montana.

My goal in Language and Cultural Education is to help our relatives learn who they are and where they come from. By teaching our values, sacred rites and sharing stories from our elders our relatives are beginning to speak and remember the language and culture.

Tous, My Hiinono’ei name is Hiiyo3bisei, Morning Star.  My English name is Annie Sage. I am a Hiinono’eit teacher here at Arapahoe School. I love teaching here and have taught here for fourteen years.  I taught at Wyoming Indian Elementary School for twenty-six years.  I have two grown children, my son Nate lives in Kansas, my daughter lives in Montana.  I have six granddaughters and two grandsons.  I have three small dogs and one cat. My pets like to jump in the river and swim. My hobbies are beading, sewing and traveling to  Powwows. I attended CWC and the University of Wyoming. I was certified to teach Hinono’eitiit in 2020. 

A linguist by training, Justin Spence is a Project Coordinator for the Northwest Native American Language Resource Center at the University of Oregon. Previously, he served as Director of the Native American Language Center in the Native American Studies Department at the University of California, Davis. He has spent most of his career supporting community-initiated language revitalization efforts, primarily in California and Oregon, seeking to bridge the divide between academically-oriented linguistic research and the needs of revitalization programs on the ground. He is excited about this opportunity to meet revitalization practitioners in Montana and learn about the innovative programs they have developed over the years.

My name is Willamina Campbell Tailfeathers,  I am the 5th grade Immersion teacher at Napi Elementary in Browning, MT.  I've been an Immersion teacher for eight years now.  Every year just keeps getting better.  This is my 29th year of teaching, all in Browning.  My husband and I have 3 daughters and four grandchildren. I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from MSU-Northern.  My Masters degree is in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Montana.  

Currently, I am also a Noyce Fellowship in STEM teaching recipient from MSU-Bozeman.  This year I was also accepted as a Teacher Leader in Montana History.  Another opportunity came up, so I applied for the Teacher Leadership Institute through the MFPE.  I was chosen to join this leadership opportunity too. In addition to all of this, I am also a Mentor Teacher in my buidling. Needless to say I like to keep busy.

Ōk̇i nitṫǎnikk̇oō eeksuegahwutdanakii (Good Shield Woman). Nitṫīyǎaṗiitsin´k̇ǎasim Shaylea Tatsey. Nō´m˝ṫoōṫoō Amskapi Pikuni. Nittsiṫō´ṗii miisinssk̇iisis˝ṫǎa. Ãiss•skssiniimǎttsṫō ̋kii iitoyno•p. Niiksissṫǎ ǎanissṫǎa mǎatsoōwǎak̇ii (Beautiful Woman) 

Ninnǎ ǎanissṫǎa Ni•tsiṫǎ•ṗāaṗo´yi (Stands Alone) Rusty kii Lorrie Tatsey. Nookoowaah ǎanissṫǎa Ksistikoom Saahkoomaapii (Thunder Boy) kii Natoyii ootsimoh’ okiitopii (Holy Sorrel Horse Rider). Naaus ǎa˝siiṫoōmō´o (Good Leader) Cynthia Kipp kii Leo Davis naauhs ǎnnǔṫǎak̇ii (Pretty Woman) June Bullshoe kii Peter Tatsey.

Hello, my name is Shaylea Tatsey. My Blackfeet name is Good shield Woman . I am Amskapi Pikuni residing on the Blackfeet reservation. My home and family came from Badger creek. My parents are Lea and Rusty Tatsey and a mother of two sons Thunder️ and Buck. I am a Blackfeet Native American Studies Teacher at Browning High School as well as a rodeo coach and cultural leader. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters of Arts in Instruction and Learning. I have taught for about eight years from 5th grade homeroom teacher, 1st grade Blackfeet Studies teacher, and  6th grade immersion, and now a high school Blackfeet teacher. I am a fourth generation Blackfeet Language Learner and continue learning and pushing myself to learn more about my people, my language, and our history so that I can share that knowledge with our next generation of learners.

Bill The Boy teaches Cree language at Box Elder High School.

Háu mitákuyepi taŋyáŋ yahí hello my relatives. My name is Ethan Three Stars I am from the Fort Peck Reservation and live in the Fort Kipp community. I went to school in Poplar, Montana my whole life and graduated from there in 2016. I have been teaching Dakȟóta language at Poplar Middle and High School since 2017. I have also been teaching Dakȟóta language at Fort Peck Tribes Language and Culture Department since 2011 as a summer youth work til now as their Dakȟóta Instructor/Researcher. I attended Fort Peck Community college to obtain my Associates of Arts degree in Native American Studies in 2018. I obtained my Class 7 Teaching Licenses in 2016 so I would be able to teach in the public school system.

I was raised around the Dakȟóta Ianguage my whole life but I started learning the Dakȟóta language intensively in 2007. I took many Dakȟóta language classes offered here in Poplar. I started to spend all my evenings after that with my grandparents as well as my aunties learning as much Dakȟóta language, culture, philosophy, and stories as I could. I know implement all these teachings and stories in my curriculum because I was always taught this isn't my language and culture, its yours.

Elaine Topsky is a proud Chippewa Cree tribal member, educator, and women’s advocate dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional history, language, and cultural values. Through her work in educational and community leadership, she empowers Native youth, families, and women by fostering cultural pride, traditional knowledge, and respect for Indigenous heritage. Her commitment to strengthening cultural identity and supporting future generations continues to inspire positive change within Native communities.

Tansi kahkiyahw! kitatamiskatinawaw niwahkomakanak. Whitney TopSky nisikahson, tahkohci kisik niwihowin. ahsiniywahcisik ociniyah, nichahyik niwikin. kitatamihinawaw ayhay

Whitney TopSky has served as the Nehiyahw language teacher at Box Elder Schools for the past seven years. Before this role, she taught Art at Chinook Schools and worked as a Native American tutor at Lincoln McKinley Primary School in Havre. She earned her degree in Art Education from the University of Montana, where she developed a strong interest in cultural curriculum. To further her teaching path, she completed summer courses to earn her Class 7 teacher license. As a second language learner of Nehiyahw, Whitney finds joy in both teaching and continuing her own personal journey of learning and revitalizing the language.

Oki, my Blackfoot name is sooyipiksi which in the Blackfoot language. means waterbird. I

have been working in the field of Education for over 40 years. I first got involved in teaching

by accident. I was taking a break off an oil rig for Comanche Drilling. My relative June Tatsey needed a Substitute Teacher so I volunteered. I was hired as a Teacher Assistant and went back to school on the teacher training program and received my teaching degrees. I am a Blackfoot elder Immersion Class 7 Teacher. I am one of the remaining Full Blood Blackfoot speakers on the Blackfeet Reservation. I have nine children two deceased. For the past seven years during the summer, I worked as a Forestry Technician. Though the years I have fought forest fires all over the northwestern United States. I also worked for the United States Park Service Two Medicine Trail Crew (tree faller). This past summer I worked as a Range Rider for the Blackfeet Tribal Land Department. However my real passion is teaching our youth the nitsipohwahsin (real speak) language.

Lea Whitford, M.Ed is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe. She has taught Native American Studies and Blackfeet Studies for over 30+ years at high school and college levels. She served as department chair at Blackfeet Community College for over a decade. She has written numerous grants over her career to assist funding language and culturally relevant programs. 

She served in the Montana State legislature as a Representative and Senator. 

Lea worked as a Blackfeet Native American Studies District Instructional Coach (PreK-12) assisting teachers with implementing a BNAS / IEFA curriculum. She continues as an Indian Education for All consultant working with teachers and students across the state.