Our living culture starts with language - a bridge from our past to our future... The Piegan Institute, founded in 1987, has its national headquarters and community based programs on the Blackfeet Nation in Northwest Montana. The Piegan schools are all called Nizi PuhWah Sin meaning, “real speak” referring to the language of the people. To “real speak” means to speak the Blackfoot Language very well and poetically. People who “real speak” are known within the tribe and the language as Nizi ta piks, or “real people”.The sole purpose of the Nizi Puh Wah Sin program is to teach children to speak the Blackfoot language without passing judgment on their intellectual abilities. The schools are commonly referred to as Cuts Wood School. MAPS was invited to facilitate a four day film workshop with Cuts Wood students, staff and graduates in May 2022. Students learned the basics of documentary filmmaking including introduction to camera, audio, lighting, storyboarding and conducting interviews. This project was made possible with support from the Blackfeet Tribal Historic Preservation Office, Cuts Wood School, Greater Montana Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. To learn more about The Peigan Institute and Cuts Wood School: https://www.pieganinstitute.org To learn more about MAPS Media Institute: https://mapsmediainstitute.com
