Tamastslikt Cultural Institute

The Tamaktslikt Cultural Institute in partnership with the People's Center of the Confederated Salish, Kootenai, Pend o'Oreille Tribal Nations, the Ponca of Nebraska Tribal Museum and Cultural Affairs Department, and the National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Circle of Tribal Advisors will create a model for tribal museums to promote language preservation through the teaching of traditional arts and cultural technologies such as bead and leather work, basketry, music, dance, oral history and story telling. This immersion method will engage tribal elders, linguists, and other language professionals to teach apprentices language in the context of culture. The process will be documented through audio and video media in order to develop curricula, teaching skills, and materials so that the apprentices can pass on their artistic and linguistic skills by mentoring others in the tribe.