Article by Stephanie Hobby |  Photo courtesy of MSU-B

Sunny Day Real Bird’s latest endeavor started with a dream long in the making: in addition to the standard offering of Spanish, German, and French courses, she wanted students in Billings to have the opportunity to pursue coursework in Crow.

The language of the Crow people, also known as the Apsáalooke, was once the prominent language of the region that spans what is today Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota. However, as time passed, tribal members became increasingly concerned that this important aspect of their culture would fade into the realm of history.

Real Bird had heard about other Native language dual enrollment programs, in partnership with tribal communities, and realized that, as the director of American Indian Outreach at Montana State University- Billings, she had the resources and connections to start something locally and build that legacy.

“That stuck in my mind, because I was thinking about how beneficial it would be for my daughter, who is currently a sophomore in high school, and my nieces, to have that opportunity,” she said, pointing out that one of the requirements for a high school diploma in Montana is a language course. “Billings has one of the largest Native populations within the state. We’re almost like a melting pot. I thought it would be cool to incorporate that and partner with the school district, especially for our juniors and seniors, to have that opportunity.”

After extensive research and persistence, a team at MSU-B formed to initiate the project. The current program is a dual enrollment program, meaning that high school juniors and seniors can take the course at MSU-B for college credit. “My focus was dual enrollment, and then, as an opportunity for current students. Our current students signed up really quickly, which was neat to see,” Real Bird said, adding that she was delighted and surprised when non-Native students enrolled.

Currently, Real Bird estimates that 25 percent of the class comprises a mix of non-Crow and non-Native students, and plans are in place to expand the program to include other Native languages and potentially reach younger students. Funded by the Montana University System, the class is designed for students within the MUS’s “One-Two- Free” program. It offers up to six college credits to all eligible students at no cost. Need-based college scholarships are also available.

Real Bird says the women inspired her in the Crow Language Club, a local nonprofit that awards scholarships every year to students who speak fluent Crow. “Their conversations are powerful. They talk about different areas around Billings, and how to say it in Crow. They tie in stories, and they talk about Pryor and what that’s called in Crow, and just listening to them, I felt like this is what our students need to hear. They need to hear these stories, and I don’t want them lost,” she said.

The concern about losing language has triggered action from many Native leaders across the country. A few years ago, MSU-B hosted a language summit, bringing together representatives from Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Alaska to discuss best practices in language instruction. The interest has only continued to grow and ripple outward, and Real Bird is hearing more success stories.

“When you go back to the Crow reservation, you’re seeing more young people speak it,” she said, relaying a friend’s recent story of filling her gas tank when a young woman came by and, in Crow, asked her how she was doing. “You’re seeing it in these little kids, and they’re riding horses through town and talking Crow, which you didn’t see as much five or seven years ago. I feel like this is almost a movement, and bringing it back into daily life, I see it strengthening family and community ties.”

As this effort continues to evolve, Real Bird says she never forgets her motivation. “My heart is for our children, and I really want our students to carry forward our culture and that strength. I really feel like that builds confidence in who our students are, and it also helps with that mental health piece. It’s holistic.”

Find Out More!

Interested high school students and counselors can contact Kaili Payne, Director of Dual Enrollment, at kaili.payne@msubillings.edu to learn more about the enrollment process.

Additional information is available on the Native American Achievement Center website: https://www.msubillings.edu/naac/

Originally printed in the November 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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