Kenneth (Tuffy) Helgeson

All SeriesIápi Wakán: Sacred Languages

Feb 8

Written By Lindell Haywahe

Air Date: February 8, 2026

Summary

Episode 12 - Interview with Kenneth Helgeson

**SERIES**

Iápi Wakán: Sacred Languages - Season 2

**HOST & PRODUCER**
Lindell Haywahe

Episode Guests

Kenneth Tuffy Helgeson is a Nakoda from Lodge Pole, Montana on the Fort Belknap Reservation. His family consists of his wife, Stevie, and their children: James, Celia, Tasaya and Tokana Ska. Tuffy is a language instructor at the Haya Lodge Pole High School and taught adjunct at the Aaniih Nakoda College as well. Tuffy was raised by his grandmother, Dora, who along with her many contemporaries, shared the language and culture with him. He began teaching at the age of 18, earning his Class 7 Teaching Endorsement.

Tuffy has always tried to maintain tribal connections and relationships with all the Nakoda speaking people in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana. In former times, Tuffy served as Grant Manager for the Fort Belknap NAEDC and assisted in the creation of Life’s Language Lodge, an immersion daycare.

For several years, he owned and managed a herd of cattle on the family ranch. An active member of the community, he made efforts to serve the powwow, rodeo and round dance circles as an announcer. He also served on the tribe’s economic development board for 5 years, one term on the local school board and is currently on the Assiniboine Treaty Committee.

Finally, Tuffy does not think of himself as a language keeper, but rather as a person who shares the language and culture for the next generation because the language is first in his heart.

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Lindell Haywahe

Kenneth (Tuffy) Helgeson

Summary

Iápi Wakán: Sacred Languages - Season 2

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