We are creating the first-ever Aaniiih & Nakoda language immersion nest on the Fort Belknap reservation.
We recognize the importance of language to preserve our people, ways and promises to our ancestors. We recognize language improves our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Since the indigenous bilingual movement began in earnest in the 1970s, there has been a push to restabilize and rebuild our Nakoda and Aaniiih languages.
We recognize our elders’ place in our world as knowledge keepers. We welcome them in teaching the whole and their wisdom to our children, parents, and adults.
This is a link to a page about our language.
Meet Gabriel Werk
Hą́ dagúyebi, Įté Sába cažé mitáwa. (Hello relatives, my name is black forehead) my english name is Gabriel Werk. Iʾve lived here on the Fort Belknap indian reservation for all of my life. I belong to the Aaniiih and Nakoda Nations. I am currently working on transcribing nakoda stories into the Fort Belknap nakoda orthography, so that they may be used to further the language acquisition of future learners. I am a certified native games trainer and enjoy crafting.