Culture & Language
Location:
MHA Complex (Hidatsa Language Office)
404 Frontage RD
New Town, N.D. 58763
Arikara Cultural Center (Arikara Language Office)
100 Sahnish Dr.
Roseglen, N.D. 58775
Northern Lights (Mandan Language Office)
710 E Ave.
New Town, N.D. 58763
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00AM - 4:30PM
Contact:
704-770-1255
Mission
The mission of the Culture & Language Department is to create culture and language teachers and fluency in each of the three MHA Nation’s tribal languages in order to advocate on all levels and increase the use of MHA languages in communities.
Available Classes
These classes are hosted and available through the Culture & Language Department as they have in-person meet-ups with the Zoom option!
Administration
MHA Complex | 404 Frontage RD New Town, N.D. 58763 | Phone: 701-627-8203 | Fax: 701-627-3503
Logan Sutton
Acting Director
- lsutton@mhanation.com
Deann Birdsbill
Acting Office Manager
- (701) 421-6385
- deannbirdsbill@mhanation.com
C&LD’s Mentor-Apprentice program
C&LD’s Mentor-Apprentice program brings together students of the languages and those experts that wish to pass to a new generation. They will become the new language experts who can go out into the community and teach our languages to others. We will also create tribal language resources that give learners valuable instruction to help in their language journey.
“Mabel Shultis and two Indian girls – Gilbert Livingstone Wilson Photography Collection”
ARIKARA/ SAHNISH
Arikara Cultural Center | 100 Sahnish Dr. Roseglen, N.D. 58775
HIDATSA / Hiráaca
MHA Complex | 404 Frontage RD New Town, N.D. 58763
Carmella Sally White
Hidatsa Mentor
- 701-627-6195
- judithdanks@mhanation.com
Jayli Fimbres
Hidatsa Coordinator
- (701) 421-5148
- jfimbres@mhanation.com
MANDAN/ NUETA
Northern Lights | 710 E Ave. New Town, N.D. 58763
Elijah Benson
Nueta Coordinator
- ebenson@mhanation.com
Bheri Hallam
Nueta Mentor
- bherihallam@mhanation.com
Denver Spotted Bear
Nueta Mentor
- dbspottedbear@mhanation.com
Samuel Demaray
Nueta Apprentice
- sdemaray@mhanation.com
Teaching our Community
The Culture and Language Department creates welcoming, supportive spaces where language learning thrives through connection and community. By bringing speakers together with learners, knowledge is shared from one generation to the next, helping learners build confidence, pride, and a strong foundation to become future speakers, teachers, and cultural leaders.
The Culture & Language Department provides members different opportunities to learn and use the language, including language classes, learning materials and continues to expand resources to make learning more accessible for everyone. All these efforts aim to build interest and passion for the language and ensure its existence is never again threatened.
Language Project Textbooks Library
Textbooks and Handouts that are used at NHSC, MHA Public Schools, and MHA Culture & Language: Language Classes. Created by the MHA Language Project, MHA Education Department, & MHA Culture & Language Department in 2017.
Please contact the Culture & Language Department for these books, questions, and more infomation.
Looking for additional language textbooks and learning materials?
Request Forms
Language Material Requests
Contact our department to get any materials!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few most frequently questions.
Answered by the department
Why learn the language?
Our purpose as a department is to revitalize and reclaim our traditional languages. We encourage all MHA members to learn one of the three languages. Language is part of our sovereignty and identity as a department language preservation is extremely important to us and our nation. We remember those before us and the sacrifices made for us to be where we are today as a Nation.
Do you have classes?
Yes, we do. Please check out our Facebook page to access the class dates and times. Facebook page name: MHA Culture and Language Department
Does your department have materials?
Yes, we do. When you visit our building we do provide language materials. Also, we are paperless for those online/long distance, contact our department to get electronic materials.
How fluent are our apprentices and mentors?
MHA has three languages and each one is at a different stage of revitalization. It takes many years and dedication to learn a language. Our teams have different levels of secondary speakers who are still on their journey to fluency.
How can I help?
Participate in our community classes, and support cultural events in your communities. Share knowledge and language with the MHA people. You can also contact our department anytime.