People

Bernadine Young Bird is a member of the Maxoadi Clan-Alkalai Lodge and an enrolled member of the Three-Affiliated Tribes on Ft. Berthold. Bernadine has raised her own children, 5 grandchildren, and has also fostered many other children throughout the years. Raising children has given Bernadine a tremendous joy, which she relays through her teaching. In the past, Bernadine was an elementary school teacher and Education Administrator, where she had oversight of all education programs Pre-school to Adult for the MHA Nation. Bernadine is currently the Language Coordinator/Faculty of the NHS College Native American Studies Department. She enjoys working with younger children and is very proud to see their pride and self-esteem increase as they learn Hidatsa.

Bernadine Young Bird’s courses 

MHA 101H – Teaching Hidatsa Level 1 Methods A

John P. Boyle earned his MA and PhD in Linguistics from the University of Chicago, and has taught linguistics at Northeastern Illinois University.  He specializes in Hidatsa, and has served as Executive Director of the Apsáalooke Language Curriculum Project for the Crow Tribe. He has also served on the Committee on Endangered Languages for the Linguistic Society of America, and as organizer of the annual Siouan-Caddoan Languages Conference. 

John P. Boyle’s courses 

MHA 101M – Teaching Mandan Level 1 Methods A

MHA 101H – Teaching Hidatsa Level 1 Methods A

MHA 110H – Hidatsa Phonology I

Ryan has been working on the MHA Language Project since 2013. He has helped compile the Speak Mandan! Level 1 Textbook and Mandan Vocab Builder. He has also contributed to documenting Hidatsa phonology. Currently, Mr. Kasak is working on updating the Mandan online audio dictionary and developing the Speak Mandan! Level 2 Textbook resources. In addition, Mr. Kasak is a PhD Candidate at Yale University and has broad experience in working with the revitalization of Siouan languages, including Mandan, Hidatsa and Crow.

Ryan Kasak’s courses 

MHA 110 – Mandan Phonology I

Albino Junior Garcia is the Education Director at Lakota Language Consortium. He has taught various courses at the Lakota Summer Institute since 2012 and is a leader in the field of Lakota language instruction and teacher training. Previously, Junior was the Dean of Culture and a Lakota language Instructor at the Native American Community Academy in Albuquerque, NM. His teaching experience and positive energy are a great addition to the MHA Language Project.

Albino Junior Garcia’s courses 

MHA 101M – Teaching Mandan Level 1 Methods A

MHA 101H – Teaching Hidatsa Level 1 Methods A

MHA 101A – Teaching Arikara Level 1 Methods A

Delvin Driver, Jr. is a member of the Knife Clan. He teaches Hidatsa at NHS College and Parshall High School.

Delvin Driver, Jr.’s courses 

MHA 101H – Teaching Hidatsa Level 1 Methods A

MHA 110H – Hidatsa Phonology I