The Siksikaitsitapi XR Project is a groundbreaking initiative that uses Extended Reality (XR) to bring Blackfoot culture, language, and ecological knowledge to life through immersive education. This Indigenous-led project is guided by Blackfeet ECO Knowledge, Inc. (BEK) and built in collaboration with elders, ensuring all content is rooted in cultural accuracy, protocol, and Blackfoot sovereignty.

At the heart of the project is the creation of a virtual reality platform that reflects the worldview of the Nitsitapii. In this immersive world, users can interact with elders and fluent speakers to learn the Blackfoot language, hear traditional stories, and explore ecological knowledge—all while virtually moving through landscapes within traditional Blackfoot territory. The goal is not only to teach—but to inspire. By blending digital access with cultural immersion, the project encourages young people and community members to reconnect with the land in real life.

Featured within this platform is the Buffalo Drive XR Experience, an interactive journey that weaves together ceremonial, ecological, and historical knowledge. This experience is part of a growing, tribally-authored curriculum designed to support place-based learning and meet Montana’s Indian Education for All standards.

Through partnerships with the University of Montana, Dreamscape Learn, and Nia Tero, the project also includes the development of:

• A state-of-the-art XR Learning Hub and XR Pod at UM

• A mobile XR classroom for outreach and accessibility

• Training programs to support the next generation of Native XR storytellers and developers

The Siksikaitsitapi XR Project is:

• Capturing and preserving Blackfoot knowledge through immersive storytelling

• Reconnecting Indigenous youth to their language, identity, and environment

• Expanding access to high-quality, culturally grounded education

• Serving over 500 Indigenous students annually, with 1,000+ total learners reached each year

By using technology as a bridge, this project creates new opportunities for learning—both digital and land-based—ensuring that the next generation not only remembers where they come from, but walks with it.