Blackfeet Living Principles as Open Data

Micro-Documentary Premieres November 4, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (MT) 

Accelerate Montana is proud to debut Blackfeet Living Principles as Open Data, a micro-documentary about how the Blackfeet Nation is integrating their cultural identity as valued job skills. The film captures the innovative work being done to embed Blackfeet cultural knowledge and lived experience into the way systems describe, value, and recognize workforce skills. 

Led by a Community Working Group from the Blackfeet Nation and Accelerate Montana, this project is supported by SkillsFWD, Credential Engine, and Gates Foundation. This initiative explores how Blackfoot Living Principles can inform modern workforce systems while strengthening community identity and self-determination. 

The 8-minute micro-documentary, Blackfeet Living Principles as Open Data, features voices from the community, including Wendy Bremner and Lona Running Wolf (4 Poles Educational Consulting Group), Leo Bird (Blackfeet Educator), and Dana Pemberton (Personnel Director, Blackfeet Tribe). Together, they explore how traditional values guide respectful relationships, conflict resolution, and innovation in connecting people to meaningful employment. 

“This is an attempt to get back to what we were as a people — and to make the workplace a better place to be,” said Dana Pemberton, Personnel Director for the Blackfeet Tribe. 

“We’re trying to live in this combination of the Western way of knowing and Blackfeet ways of knowing,” added Wendy Bremner of 4 Poles Educational Consulting Group. 

“These principles are a way for us to help people develop their purposes in life,” shared Leo Bird, Blackfeet educator and community leader.  

Watch Party + Community Discussion  

Join us for the premiere of Blackfeet Living Principles as Open Data on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (MT). Following the screening, a live discussion will feature: 

• Lona Running Wolf & Wendy Bremner (4 Poles Educational Consulting Group) 

• Deb Everhart (Credential Engine) 

• Jenny Harms & Elizabeth Dove (Accelerate Montana) 

Together, these voices will explore how this collaborative work is redefining the future of workforce data, cultural representation, and Indigenous sovereignty in education and employment systems. 

RSVP / Watch Live: https://bit.ly/blackfeetlivingprinciples 

Call to Action 

We invite media, educators, and community partners to share this story and join the conversation. By helping amplify the voices of the Blackfeet Nation and our collaborators, you’ll be supporting a movement to humanize credential standards and center Indigenous knowledge in workforce innovation. 

Let’s celebrate this collaboration and the communities leading change from within. 

About Accelerate Montana Accelerate Montana (AMT) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support inclusive economic prosperity for Montana’s workers, companies, and communities through a portfolio of economic and workforce development programs. Over the last three years, AMT has served nearly 4,000 individuals and businesses. AMT is affiliated with the University of Montana. 

Media & Partner Inquiries 

For additional information, interview requests, or partnership inquiries, please contact: 

Jenny Harms Executive Director, Accelerate Montana jenny.harms@acceleratemt.com