MILES CITY, MONTANA: Miles Community College will welcome Dr. Lanny Real Bird to campus on Thursday, November 19, from 3 to 4 p.m. as part of the MCC Speaker Series. The presentation will be held in the MCC Library and is free and open to the public. No registration is necessary.
During the presentation, Dr. Real Bird will explore how traditional Plains Indian Sign Language is being incorporated into efforts to preserve and revitalize Indigenous languages through movement, communication, and hands-on learning.
Plains Indian Sign Language has a rich history as a means of communication among Indigenous nations and between Native peoples and westward-moving settlers. Today, its traditional gestures and movements are being used alongside language revitalization efforts to support the learning of Indigenous languages.
Dr. Real Bird will demonstrate how movement-based learning can strengthen language acquisition while sharing insights into Indigenous culture, heritage, and traditions, including those of the Apsaalooke (Crow) Nation. His presentation will highlight methods for teaching and reinforcing language skills while connecting traditional knowledge with contemporary educational practices.
For nearly 40 years, Dr. Real Bird has served as a storyteller, language acquisition consultant, language instructor, assessment designer, curriculum developer, strategic planner, grant writer, and recognized spokesman and orator of the Apsaalooke. His work focuses on education and language preservation, particularly within rural and grassroots communities throughout Montana.
The Miles Community College Speaker Series brings experts and specialists to campus to share their knowledge on a variety of topics. Each presentation features a different subject and is free and open to the public.
For more information about the presentation or the MCC Speaker Series, please contact the MCC Library at 406-874-6196 orlibrary@milescc.edu.
