Lanny Real Bird

Dr. Lanny Real Bird is a Crow tribal member, educator, and dedicated advocate for preserving Native American languages and cultural heritage. A lifelong speaker of Plains Indian Sign Language, or "hand talk," Dr. Real Bird has used this traditional form of communication—one of the oldest languages in North America—since childhood, recognizing its importance in connecting Native American communities and honoring ancestral ways.

As an educator, Dr. Real Bird has served as a business instructor where he also taught Plains Indian Sign Language, sharing its rich cultural significance with students. He has developed a range of educational resources for teaching the Crow and Hidatsa languages, blending active learning techniques with a deep cultural perspective to make these languages accessible and engaging. His work as a sign language consultant on HBO’s Lewis and Clark mini-series further emphasizes his dedication to sharing Indigenous languages and histories.

Dr. Real Bird is a strong proponent of interactive methods for language instruction, including using Plains Sign Language to teach traditional music. His advocacy also extends to building understanding and collaboration between Indigenous and mainstream communities in Montana. Beyond language education, he has produced orientation videos for instructors working with American Indian students, and he is currently working on a Crow lullaby video as well as a historical presentation for an interpretive center in North Dakota. Through his work, Dr. Real Bird continues to impact both Native and non-Native communities, contributing significantly to the preservation and understanding of Indigenous languages and culture.

 

Sunday, November 17th

Travel day

Lodging at Petro Hall

Monday, November 18th   

  • 10:00 AM: NAAC Office Hours & Campus tour
  • 11:45 AM: Walk to the Cafeteria for Lunch
  • 1:00 PM: Talking Circle at the Yellowstone Science & Health Building, room 203 (CHIPS)
  • 3:00 PM: Campus Presentation: Tipi Setup and Teachings: The Significance of Each Pole, Clocktower lawn.

Learn the traditional meanings and methods behind each pole in tipi setup, as taught by Dr. Lanny Real Bird. Join us for an immersive experience in cultural understanding and hands-on instruction.

  • 6:00 PM: Dinner with All Nations, AI Dorm Students, & AIBL Club

Tuesday, November 19th   

  • 11:00 AM: NAAC Office Hours
  • 11:50 AM: Walk to the Cafeteria for Lunch
  • Break
  • 1:00–4:00 PM: NAAC Office Hours

Wednesday, November 20th   

  • 11:00 AM: NAAC Office Hours
  • 11:45 AM: Walk to the Cafeteria for Lunch
  • Break
  • 2:00 PM: Talking Circle at LaPlaza (open to all)
  • 3:00 PM: Winter Stories: Landmark Ties and Teachings of the Season at the NAAC (open to all)
  • 6:00 PM: Dinner with All Nations, AI Dorm Students, & AIBL Club

Thursday, November 21st   

  • 10:00 AM: City College
  • 10:30 AM: Talking Circle at City College, NAAC Office (open to all)
  • 11:45 AM: Main Campus Lunch
  • Break
  • 2:00–3:00 PM: NAAC Office Hours
  • 3:00 PM: Talking Circle for COE & COB, room 122 (open to all)

Friday, November 22nd

  • 10:30–11:30 AM: Tipi tear-down
  • 11:30 AM–1:00 PM: Lunch at NAAC, Gift Presentations (open to all)
  • 1:00 PM: Travel