Decades ago, around 85% of the Crow Tribe used to speak their indigenous language. Not any more — that number has dwindled to about 30% of the tribe.

Now roughly 4,200 tribe members speak Crow, according to recent estimates, and the language is considered endangered as it fades with older generations.

Sunny Real Bird, Montana State University-Billings' Director of Indian Outreach, hopes she can change that trajectory. Students with MSUB can begin learning the endangered Crow language with a class this fall.

“We’re proud to have this offering in Crow language as part of our dual enrollment opportunities,” Real Bird, a member of the Crow tribe , said in a statement to media. “Language is more than communication; it carries identity, history and culture. This has always been in my hea

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