Heather Bliss, PhD
Oki, niisto, nitaaniko Otskaapinaaki. Hello, my name is Heather Bliss. My Blackfoot name was given to me by my late friend and teacher Tootsinam Beatrice Bullshields. I am a non-Indigenous linguist living and working in the traditional and unceded territories of the hənq̓ə̓minə̓m̓-speaking peoples. I was born and raised in Mohkinsstsis (Calgary, Alberta). I am an alumnus of the University of Calgary (BA Honours, 2003; MA 2005) and the University of British Columbia (PhD, 2013), and a former postdoctoral fellow at the University of Victoria (SSHRC 2014-16; Banting 2016-18). My interest in Indigenous language revitalization stems from long-standing collaborative relationships with members of the Blackfoot-speaking Siksika and Kainai Nations in Southern Alberta. I am a Senior Lecturer at Simon Fraser University, and I am honoured to work alongside Indigenous people, communities, and organizations in language documentation, research, writing, resource development, planning, facilitation, and education
Aikamotsiipoohto: Bringing the Language to Safety
The Miiohpokoiiksi learning hub brings together stories, games, and other teachings in a virtual space, while also documenting the history of our team's work to support Blackfoot families with their language journeys. We have hosted family nights, language planning events, documentation workshops, a week-long summer camp, and other events -- all centered around learning, sharing, and celebrating the Blackfoot language. In this presentation, we will share stories of our work together with Elders, teachers, youth, families, and other language champions to develop and grow the Miiohpokoiiksi learning hub.