UTTC students begin learning Hidatsa language in new course

An instructor at United Tribes Technical College is teaching students the Hidatsa language as part of an effort to help preserve it, according to reporting by KFYR-TV. The language is considered to be in a state of emergency, with an estimated 65 fluent speakers remaining.

Amber Gwin is teaching the course this semester, the first time the Hidatsa language has been offered at the college. Nine students are enrolled, including Rollie Knight, who said learning the language helps him reconnect with his family and culture. Gwin said she is also relearning the language alongside her students after growing up hearing it as a child. She told KFYR that the goal is to keep the language alive and that she plans to teach the course again in the fall if there is enough interest.