Darrell Kipp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Darrell R. Kipp
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| Blackfoot: Apiniokio Peta ("Morning Eagle") | |
Darrell Kipp (right) and composer Robert Kapilow (left).
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| Blackfeet Nation leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 23, 1944 Browning, Montana |
| Died | November 21, 2013 (aged 69) Browning, Montana |
| Spouse | Roberta Ray Kipp |
| Children | Darren Kipp |
| Parents | Tom and Nora Kipp |
| Education | Eastern Montana College, Ed.M, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 1975, MFA, Vermont College |
| Known for | Revitalizing the Blackfoot language |
Darrell Robes Kipp (born October 23, 1944 – died November 21, 2013) was an important leader of the Blackfeet Nation. He was a Native American teacher, filmmaker, and historian. He worked hard to teach and save the Blackfoot language as the head of the Piegan Institute.
Contents
Darrell Kipp's Life Story
Darrell Kipp was born in Browning, Montana, which is the main place for the Blackfeet Nation. He finished high school in Browning in 1962. He served in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant during the time of the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Korea.
He went to Eastern Montana College. Later, he earned two master's degrees. One was from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1975. The other was from Vermont College.
Saving the Blackfoot Language
In the early 1980s, Kipp returned to the Blackfeet reservation. He wanted to study the Piegan language, which is the Blackfoot language. He found that fewer people were speaking it. Most native speakers were elders, meaning older people.
So, he and some friends started working to bring the language back. They created the Piegan Institute. This is a non-profit group that helps save and protect Native American languages. To help people become fluent, they opened a special school in 1995. It was called Nizipuhwahsin, which means "Real Speak." This school taught students from kindergarten to eighth grade.
Through the institute, Kipp created two immersion schools. These schools taught the Blackfoot language by using it for everything. They were called Moccasin Flat School and Cuts Wood School. Kipp also helped the Endangered Language Fund. He encouraged many other Native American communities to start their own language schools.
Other Important Work
Darrell Kipp was also a board member for Siyeh Development. This group helps with economic growth for the Blackfoot tribe. He also served as a judge for the tribal court for seventeen years.
In 2004, he worked with composer Robert Kapilow. They wrote a large musical piece for a choir and orchestra. It was to celebrate 200 years since the Lewis and Clark journey. The music was called Summer Sun, Winter Moon. It was based on Kipp's story. It was first performed in September 2004. A film about this event was shown on public television.
Kipp also wrote the introduction for a book called Mythology of the Blackfoot Indians. This book was published again in 2008.
Awards and Recognition
Darrell Kipp received several awards for his work.
- In 2005, he received the Montana Governor's Humanities Award.
- In 2006, he received the Trustee Award for Contributions to Montana History. This award was from the Montana Historical Society.
See also
