Ninastako 2026

OKI — Welcome to Ninastako.

Ninastako is a Blackfoot language and culture learning app created by the Ninastako Cultural Centre. Designed for learners of all ages, it brings the beauty of Niitsi'powahsin (the Blackfoot language) to your fingertips — with native speaker audio, interactive lessons, and rich cultural content.

Whether you're reconnecting with your heritage, learning as a student, or simply curious about Blackfoot culture, Ninastako makes language learning immersive, engaging, and accessible.

▸ CONVERSATIONAL BLACKFOOT Explore 19 vocabulary categories including Animals, Family, Food, Emotions, Weather, At School, At Work, Shopping, Transportation, Colours, Numbers, Verbs, and more. Each category features:

• Words — Browse beautifully designed swipe cards with Blackfoot and English translations, each paired with native speaker audio recordings. • Sentences — Learn complete phrases and sentences used in real-life conversations. • Conversations — Follow along with iMessage-style dialogue exchanges to see how the language flows naturally between speakers.

Use the built-in search to instantly find any word or sentence across all categories — in English or Blackfoot.

▸ BLACKFOOT CHALLENGE Test your knowledge with an interactive quiz game. Choose your categories, set your difficulty, and see how much you've learned:

• Easy — See the Blackfoot word, choose the English meaning. • Medium — Listen to audio only and identify the word. • Hard — See the English word and choose the correct Blackfoot translation.

Play in timed or untimed mode. Build streaks, earn badges, and celebrate perfect scores with confetti. Track your progress and revisit missed words to strengthen your skills.

▸ BLACKFOOT SURNAMES Discover the history and meaning behind over 100 Blackfoot surnames. Browse alphabetically and explore detailed cards featuring:

• The original Blackfoot name and its English translation • Native speaker audio pronunciation in both Blackfoot and English • Historical context and cultural significance of each surname

A unique resource for connecting with family heritage and understanding the stories carried in Blackfoot names.

▸ CLANS OF KAINAIWA Learn about the traditional clans (Iyoohkawayiiksi) of the Blood Tribe through three interactive modes:

• Explore — Browse each clan with detailed descriptions and cultural context. • Learn — Study clan names, meanings, and histories. • Practice — Test your knowledge of the clans in an interactive format.

▸ DESIGNED WITH CARE Ninastako is crafted with a warm, culturally inspired design featuring hand-selected artwork, animated backgrounds, ambient drumming, and smooth transitions throughout. A guided onboarding walkthrough helps new users get started, and is always available from the About Us section.

▸ ABOUT NINASTAKO CULTURAL CENTRE The Ninastako Cultural Centre is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and revitalization of the Blackfoot language and culture. Through community programs, online resources, radio broadcasts, virtual language classes, and this app, we strive to make the Blackfoot language accessible to everyone. Ninastako has also published a book entitled Napi Legends, featuring Dr. Helen Many Fingers and Willie White Feathers.

Learn more at www.ninastako.com