Nahááh! Wɔhéíh! Há!
Aaniiih and Nakoda Montessori Academy
Bringing Culture and Language to a State of an Art Montessori Education for the Ɔɔ́ɔ́’ɔ́ɔ́ɔ́niinén’i and Nakóda
We are committed to providing
a world class education grounded in Aaniiih and Nakoda ways of knowing and being.
Who We Are Ɔɔ́ɔ́’ɔ́ɔ́ɔ́niinén’i and Nakóda
ANMA is a private academic non-profit, aiming to provide a world-class Montessori education to the Aaniiih and Nakoda children, focusing on the revitalization of culture and language in a Pre-K through 3rd grade setting, adding a grade level each year up to 8th grade.
Values
Land-Based Education and Montessori Methodologies Merge
Language
We have less than three fluent speakers of the Nakoda Language and zero fluent speakers of the Aaniiih Language. Our teachings and healing are in the language.
Culture
It is our responsibility to keep our cultures alive and thriving for the next generations to continue on for a healthy existence as Aaniiih and Nakoda.
Education
Through the Montessori method of learning, our children will reach full actualization of Aaniiih and Nakoda, prepared to take their place in leadership roles within our tribal homelands.
Montessori Method & Exercising Tribal Education Sovereignty
Nestled in the Milk River Basin of the ancestral lands of the Ɔɔ́ɔ́’ɔ́ɔ́ɔ́niinén’i and Nakóda, our children at ANMA will learn about their identity through power and place. Our land and surroundings are the best teachers and as such, lessons learned come from the land; telling stories about the land, our people and how we’ve always lived on this land in an interdependent relationship as cohabitators of Mother Earth is central to child and human development.
Join our Mailing List
Funding Drive #1:
Language & Culture
Ken’aeih’aan! Pinámiya!
Funding Drive #2: Building & Land Base
Funding Drive #3: Montessori Methods
Funding Drive #4:
Family & Community Needs
Ken’aeih’aan! Pinámiya!
Ken’aeih’aan! Pinámiya!
Two additional ways to Donate:
376 Gros Ventre Ave Harlem, MT 59526
406.344.2209
ANMA is a Nonprofit 501 (c) (3)
Your generous contributions are tax deductible.
Dedicated to a Montessori Education for our Ɔɔ́ɔ́’ɔ́ɔ́ɔ́niinén’i and Nakóda Children
Revival of the Ɔɔ́ɔ́’ɔ́ɔ́ɔ́niinén’i and Nakóda through our Children
A Pre K through 3rd grade Montessori education, focusing on world-class academics and the revitalization of the Aaniiih and Nakoda cultures and languages.
Mission
We are taking back the education of our children to create a healthy and sustainable future for our people. Whoever controls the education of our children, controls our future - Wilma Mankiller.
Tribal Education Sovereignty
Healing the family from the historical and intergenerational traumas our people have experienced from colonization is central to the education of our children, families and community’s healthy future.
Healing the Family
ANMA All-Indian Founding Board
Connie L. Filesteel, Nii'ii' iθaa (Good Woman) is born and raised on her ancestral homelands of the Aaniiih and Nakoda people. A citizen of the Aaniiih Nation, with strong Nakoda lineage, she is a graduate of Penn State University completing a Master’s in Educational Leadership, while currently working on a Doctoral of Philosophy Degree, with an emphasis on Tribal Education Sovereignty to advance her people through Education. Connie holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, with a minor as a Reading Specialist and has over 20 years of experience as a teacher, professor, administrator, and researcher within tribal colleges, universities, K-12 public and parochial schools and state and tribal education agencies. As the Founder and President of ANMA, Connie brings a wealth of knowledge from her Aaniiih Paternal and Nakoda Maternal Lineages, all born and raised on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, producing a long line of educators, ranchers, cultural teachers and business-minded activists.
Connie L Filesteel
Founder & President
Aaniiih & Nakoda
ANMA All-Indian Founding Board
Dr. Michele Vanasse
Vice-President
Aaniiih
Dr. Michele (Addy) Vanasse is a citizen of the Aaniiih Nation, born and raised on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. She is the Great-granddaughter of Kills at Night, Nee-wah Theresa Walker Lamebull, one of the last fluent Aaniiih speakers. A Doctor of Philosophy graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Education, with a concentration in Teacher Education and School Improvement, Dr. Vanasse has over 30 years of providing various kinds of educational guidance and support in both the public and private sectors. Her experience as a K-12 educator working with various demographics, assisted her transition into higher education where she serves as a lecturer and faculty at public and private institutions in both North Dakota and Massachusetts. Michele holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Biblical Studies from Trinity Bible College, a Master of Science in Learning Development from Montana State University- Northern. She is currently serving as an assistant professor of teacher education at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
ANMA All-Indian Founding Board
Dr. John Spence is a citizen of the Aaniiih Nation, with Sioux descendancy, born and raised on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. With over 40 years of experience as a caseworker, program director, teacher, and trainer, Dr. Spence has served his home community as a tribal councilman and tribal college president, earning his Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington, a Master’s of Social Work from Rutger’s University and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Washington. Dr. Spence has extensive experience working in Indian Country, including government agencies, nonprofits, universities, and tribal organizations as a leader, professor, and nation builder within substance abuse and higher education, Most recently his work with Equine Therapy has impacted hundreds of American Indian Youth from all of nine Oregon tribes. He is the author of Crazy Wolf: a Half Breed Story, an autobiography sharing his life experiences and triumphs through the trials and tribulations of historical and intergenerational trauma. Dr. Spence is a US Marine Corp Reserve Veteran and has celebrated his sobriety for the past 40 years, while serving as a role model for many of our Aaniiih and Nakoda, and larger American Indian community.
Dr. John Spence
Secretary-Treasurer
Aaniiih
ANMA All-Indian Founding Board
Faye M Filesteel
Elder & Advisor
Nakoda
Faye M Filesteel, Hee-Pen (Sharp Tooth), is born and raised on the ancestral homelands of the Aaniiih and Nakoda peoples. A citizen of the Nakoda Nation, Kushi Faye is the first of her family to become educated, receiving her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Reading from Montana State University-Northern. Faye has lived through every policy era (Post-IRA) taken out on the American Indian, graduating from Flandreau Indian School and relocating to Oakland California for a short time period early on in life, always holding her Nakoda language and culture close to who she is. Faye is the epitome of perseverance and resiliency as she raised five children, helping her husband build a successful farming and ranching operation on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, while driving 200 miles 5 days out of the week to complete her teaching degree. After retiring from the Harlem Public Schools, teaching academics and the Aaniiih and Nakoda cultures and languages to the K-12 students of our reservation for over 40 years, Kushi Faye enjoys her retirement and makes cameo appearances on #1 Hit Television shows like, Yellowstone (Season 5, Ep. 4). Faye is one of our treasured elders and role models of our community.
Copyright 2023. The Aaniiiih and Nakoda Montessori Academy 501(c)(3). All Rights Reserved
Ken’aeih’aan! Pinámiya! Ɔɔ́ɔ́’ɔ́ɔ́ɔ́niinén’i Níííwahs, Nabisíííphs and Nakóda Metúgashés, Mecúshés
We continue on because of your strength, prayers, and resiliency.
Copyright 2023. The Aaniiiih and Nakoda Montessori Academy 501(c)(3). All Rights Reserved