Mother Tongue

Since the 1960s, Niitsi’powahsin, the Blackfoot language, has been one of many Indigenous languages considered to be endangered. The number of fluent speakers has only continued to decline due to the lasting impacts of colonization, the residential school system, and other assimilationist policies.

The traditional method of passing along language orally from Elder to youth has been disrupted, causing the loss of what once was a mighty, sacred tongue. For the Blood Tribe (Kainai Nation), located in southern Alberta, revitalizing Niitsi’powahsin is a critical undertaking that needs to be tackled immediately. 

This led to the creation of the Niitsi’powahsin Language Circles project in 2025. The initiative will run for a year and host 24 family-oriented Blackfoot Language Circles over 12 sessions. Each session will be led by Blackfoot language speakers and Elders organized into five speaking circles based on participants’ language proficiency. Beginner circles will introduce foundational vocabulary and themes such as animals, colours, and counting, while advanced circles will focus on conversational skills and everyday language immersion. Traditional storytelling, creation stories, and oral histories will be woven throughout each session to help participants connect with cultural teachings, values, and worldviews carried within the language. All ages will be welcomed to participate and help carry their ancestral tongue forward.

The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is supporting the Niitsi’powahsin Language Circles project to ensure the program can meet the needs of all participants. This critical initiative is a key part of Kainai Nation’s belief in the ties between language revitalization and the strengthening of Blackfoot cultural identity. 

Diocese of Calgary