BAHÁ IPÁ OWÁNÄ®JA
("They Perished at the Rock Point")
[Resource code: FVFP_01]
LESSON OVERVIEW:
What is told and what is remembered?
In this lesson, students will watch and listen to the Bahá Ipá Owánįja story, make observations about what they noticed and remembered, and then watch it again to see what details were not remembered and ask why.
This story is about a place known in English as Rocky Point where two hundred years ago a band of Nakóda relatives hid themselves away to prevent the spread of smallpox and ensure the resilience of their people. The story particularly resonates with young people today in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
KEY LESSON INFO
Subjects covered:
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Native American studies, specifically Nakóda (Assiniboine) culture and language in Montana
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Storytelling
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Can be integrated into history, ELA (language arts), visual arts, music composition and sound design, choreography, dance, and film
Grade level: Grade 8 through college (can be adapted for other grade levels)
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Duration: One class period of 60 minutes or more (which can be expanded)
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PREPARING FOR THE LESSON
Ensure you have the video, sound, and internet connectivity for all students to view the story below. If you feel connectivity might be an issue in the classroom, contact First Voices (info@threshdance.org) to request a download option, which you can do in advance of the class. Click here for more information on troubleshooting, as well as general advice and tips on incorporating this content into your teaching practice.
THE STORY
Bahá Ipá Owánįja ("They Perished at the Rock Point") is narrated by Michael Turcotte, Nakóda language specialist at Fort Peck Community College. The performers in the video are all participants in the First Voices project. The music is composed and performed by Chontay Standing Rock.​