DIGITAL STORYTELLING CREATING NEXT-LEVEL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIGENOUS YOUTH
Welcome to First Voices! These educator resources are provided for all who wish to integrate First Voices Indigenous digital stories into engaging lessons for students in grades 8 through 12 and college.

TOOLS. ASSETS. TIPS. STRATEGIES
These resources are designed for a wide range of learning environments: schools, homeschooling, after-school programs, summer programs, community centers, colleges, and universities.
First Voices began as a Montana-based project, but our resources are designed for teachers and educators in Montana and beyond.
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All lessons are endorsed by Montana’s Indian Education for All program and linked to the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians.

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NAKÓDA (ASSINIBOINE)
BAHÁ IPÁ OWÁNIJA
("They Perished at the Rock Point")
They Perished at the Rock Point (Nakóda) is a true story about resilience in the face of a deadly epidemic. This resonates with younger generations in the contemporary context of the Covid-19 emergency. The story concerns the last smallpox epidemic that ravaged the upper Missouri River tribes from 1836-1840.
The Assiniboine, who were eventually placed on the Fort Peck Reservation along with the Sioux, tell of how their people ran from the disease and the struggle of their families and relatives. This story is ultimately one of survival and resilience, and demonstrates the need to preserve—and learn from—nearly forgotten Native histories.
Grade level: High school (can be adapted for other grades)
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Duration: 2 class periods of approx. 60 minutes
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Subject(s): Social Studies; History; ELA (can be adapted for other subjects also)