2024 ĞI GRADUATION

AUGUST 2, 2024

Twenty language learners and two language teachers were recently honored at the Honoring Our Language & Honoring Tashunga Saba celebration on August 2, 2024. These learners completed two years of study of nakona?abi (Assiniboine language), with the assistance of two dedicated language teachers from Fort Belknap who worked with the NAK 100 Fort Belknap 2024 cohort. Congratulations to all those recognized for their hard work and dedication to continuing our heritage language.

LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION

Language acquisition is not a simple feat. Our language is a highly organized way of communicating. Nakona University offers courses to learn the Assiniboine language. Graduates of the Ği band has completed 2 years of study, which included classes: NAK 100, NAK 101, NAK 102, and NAK 103. Recent graduates were honored with a braid of wachāğa (sweet grass), a certificate of completion, and a winchaxbi owīzha (starquilt). Nakona University honors our late wunspewichakiya (teacher), Tashunga Saba (Dr. Kenneth Ryan).

Meet Our Graduates

Doretta Rush

Coly Rush

Carolyn Rusche

Calli Rusche-Nicholson

Telsa Madden

Nick Redgrave

Jesse Rusche

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Patricia Payne

Jewel Payne

Sharon Kolstad

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Bella Redgrave

Shawn Erickson

Dezi Adams

Shelby Martell

Dori Talks Different

Carseerena Reddog

Heidi Macdonald

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Sylvia Longknife

Rhonda Mason

Wilma "Waskuya" Desjarlias

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Meet Our Teachers

Nakona University is grateful for those who share their knowledge.

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Wunspewinchakiya

Tashunga Saba, Dr. Kenneth Ryan

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Nakona University is built upon the original language curriculum of Tashunga Saba, which is a source of immense pride for the Nakona people. We are grateful for the opportunity to carry on this language and share it with others, so that it may continue to thrive be appreciated for generations to come.

Wunspewinchakiya

Micheal Weasel

Michael Weasel, a member of the Wadopaxnatūwa band, played a crucial role in assisting the Fort Belknap NAK 100 class. He provided guidance and support for language development and facilitated the graduation ceremonies. His knowledge and teachings, as a Native American veteran, ensure the preservation of our culture and language for future generations.

Wunspewīyākiya

Faye Filesteel

Faye Filesteel, a member of the Wadopaxnatūwa band, played a crucial role in the language development of Fort Belknap NAK 100 class. Working alongside Mike, she ensured that the students' oral language development accurately reflected the Fort Belknap dialect. Faye, who is also a movie star and was featured in the Yellowstone series, brings a wealth of knowledge about the Nakona language and culture to her teaching, ensuring that it lives on through her students.

Wunspewīyākiya

Crystal J. Redgrave

Crystal Redgrave is a dedicated educator who has worked tirelessly to continue her grandfather's legacy as a language teacher. Over the past three years, she and Tashunga saba have provided online language instruction to over 60 adults and 14 children. Crystal is committed to providing quality instruction to her students and ensuring that the language is preserved for future generations.

MEET OUR DAGUYABI (RESOURCES)