Implementing collaborative research in Blackfoot language instruction

Depending on the researcher's unique field situation, there are many ways that community-based research (CBR) is realized (Rice 2006, this volume). Regardless, there are characteristics that all CBR projects have in common, and detailed case studies are useful for researchers who aspire to implement CBR in their own work and for community members who are involved in language activities. This chapter presents a case study of a collaborative project with linguists and Blackfoot language teachers: the creation of an animated film used as a language instruction supplement. It describes our experience of community relationship building, a process which is an important part of CBR. It also lays out how the language material was developed, as well as its application and limitations, a process which is not usually reported in mainstream academic linguistic research. Building an ongoing partnership that continues beyond the project's completion is essential if a community's goals include creating pedagogical materials to which linguists may contribute. As a result, a relationship-building collaborative project is not "merely"community service but holds the same priority as linguistic research, and should be considered as such for linguists aiming to conduct research under a CBR model.