our story

Mahchiwminahnahtik Chippewa Cree Language Revitalization (MCCLR) is a non-profit organization that was established in May, 2019 by a small group of Chippewa Cree Tribal members who were concerned about the rapid decline of fluency in the Chippewa and Cree Languages on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

On February 7, 2019, the Rocky Boy Elementary Cree Language Teacher, Brenda St. Pierre approached the Chippewa Cree Business Committee with a request for assistance in preserving/revitalizing the Chippewa and Cree Languages on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation by either forming a sub-committee or/or creating a department for just that purpose.

At that time, Ms. St. Pierre was met with silence and the CCBC took no action, however, she was encouraged by Chairman Baker when he said, “If you get anything going let me know, I’d like to help however I can.” Following this event, Ms. St. Pierre and Dustin Whitford met in the foyer of the CCT Office for about 30 minutes sharing their concerns about the dwindling numbers of fluent Chippewa and Cree language speakers on the Reservation. This led to including more members to form a 7-member board who then founded MCCLR which included:

Dustin Whitford, Brenda St. Pierre, Beau Mitchell, Clyde Brown, Merle Tendoy, Russell Gopher, and Jason Belcourt. On May 21, 2019, the MCCLR organization was certified by the State of Montana as a Non-Profit Organization and their first official day of business was October 19, 2019. The initial focus, intent, and goal of MCCLR was to save the Chippewa and Cree Languages on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

Mahchiminahtik

Mahchiminahtik was a historical Cree man who was gifted with the Acakpēkanak (Cree Syllabics) and was taught how to utilize them from the spirits. He shared his knowledge with his relatives and this writing form is still used today in different Cree communities. It is the prayers, wishes, and intentions of MCCLR that his spirit will guide our organization in our work to teach our future generations the Chippewa and Cree languages. Through a ceremony led by the late Merle Tendoy, the founding Board of Directors decided to name the organization after Mahchiminahtik.

 boards of directors

The Mahchiwminahnahtik Chippewa Cree Language Revitalization Board of Directors is composed of seven members, all of whom are enrolled members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe. The terms of the members are staggered, and members may serve no more than two consecutive terms.

The current members of the Board of Directors are the following