Blackfoot education highlight of new polytechnic courses

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on March 12, 2025.

Lethbridge Polytechnic photo - Lethbridge Polytechnic announced two new programs starting in fall 2025, with one of them being A'paitsitapisksinimaattsaa, an introductory course on traditional Blackfoot and land-based teachings.

Lethbridge Polytechnic has announced two new programs for the fall of 2025.

Along with the new programs, the polytechnic has also revamped its Medical Office and Unit Clerk Programs.

The General Arts and Science centre will receive two new programs, which include A’paititapiskinimaattsaa (Weasel People Education) and Kinesiology.

A’paitsitapiskinimaattsaa is open to domestic and international students as an introductory post-secondary certificate program which uses land-based learning to educate students about Blackfoot identity and relationships.

Instructors will teach vital skills related to traditional Blackfoot knowledge and land practices to broaden students’ understanding of the unique and diverse cultural experiences of the A’paitsitapi, also known as Weasel People or Blood Tribe.

Marcia Blackwater, Indigenous co-ordinator and faculty for the Centre for Business, Arts and Science at Lethbridge Polytechnic, says this program, while a new program at the institution, is expanding on the former program Indigenous Group Pathways, with new programs that are based on Blackfoot ways of knowing.

“We took the pathway initiative and the program, but really made it specific to Blackfoot ways and what our land has to teach us, the stories there as well as really putting a focus on the language,”

Along with the program name, the three new courses offered in the program also have Blackfoot names, something Blackwater is very excited about.

With many younger generations of Blood Tribe members not speaking the language, the communities have made initiatives to encourage people to learn Blackfoot.

Blackwater believes that it’s not just Indigenous people who will benefit from learning the ways of the Blackfoot people. Students in the Criminal Justice and Nursing programs are often encouraged to take Indigenous studies during their schooling.

“I just think there’s that hope and looking forward that some of our students (who) graduated from the Polytechnic (and) go into the workforce and even if it’s a simple ‘Oki, Tsa niita’pii?’ like Oki, how are you? That would mean so much to one of our elders in the hospital, or our people having to utilize the justice services.”

Being an instructor with many foreign students, Blackwater has seen how important it is for these students go understand the Indigenous perspective, especially when it comes to Canada’s history.

“It’s such a different understanding they come to when they’re here in Lethbridge and they have Blackfoot instructors teaching Indigenous studies. And then they see in the community that you don’t look down on our people in places such as where I’m standing or community members that may be on the streets, you don’t know what they’re carrying. To have that understanding, we’re in places of privilege (and) it’s our responsibility to help in any way we can.”

One of the biggest challenges Blackwater faced in helping create this program is getting Blackfoot instructors to teach at the polytechnic.

“It’s hard the people to come off reserve and it is hard working outside of your own community (and) it does have its challenges, but it’s needed,” says Blackwater.

She says Lethbridge Polytechnic has been really focusing on getting Blackfoot instructors, especially for the Indigenous programming.

Above all, Blackwater has confidence that students attending Lethbridge Polytechnic are encouraged to be themselves, as she has felt that she can be herself as an employee.

“I used to think sometimes as a Blackfoot person I had to leave my culture at the door,” says Blackwater. “But knowing I have never had to do that working her as an employee, I know that our students will never have to (either). They can bring who they are and add to the institution.”

The institution is also offering certificates to help them take their first steps into the medical field, whether it be through kinesiology or medical office assistant.

The kinesiology program is designed to help students gain skills in both theory and practice that they can use in other kinesiology-related degrees across the country.

Students in the medical office assistant program will get a hands-on work-integrated learning experiences in their 20-week course, along with a 120-hour practicum.