We’re thrilled to be launching the Abundant Intelligences YouTube page by sharing “A Dictionary of Blackfoot Metaphysics,” a combination of insightful narration by Dr. Leroy Little Bear and stunning animation by Nayan Velaskar under the guidance of Amethyst First Rider. The screening of this incredible piece of work at the Wampum Learning Lodge, London, Ontario, was one of the highlights of our third annual AGM.

[Link to video on AbInt YouTube]

From the website of animator Nayan Velaskar:

“A Dictionary of Blackfoot Metaphysics was made under the guidance of Amethyst First Rider and Dr. Leroy Little Bear. It documents the deep meaning of phonemic units of Niitsipowahssin, the Blackfoot language, and demonstrates Dr. Leroy Little Bear’s teachings about Blackfoot metaphysics—in his own words. The sound was recorded by Owen Scheibner-Healy.

Based on Dr. Little Bear’s description of all reality being comprised of energy waves, I produced this animated video using particle systems mapped on to 3D digital objects as a way to communicate the constant motion, constant flux articulated within phonemic units of the Blackfoot language.  The video was presented at the Abundant Intelligences Annual General Meeting (October 9th, 2025) and at the Dr. Margaret Perkins Hess Gallery (October 17th, 2025 – January 2026).”

Nayan Velaskar is a brown, immigrant, queer digital arts researcher who inhabits liminal, migrant spaces. His borderland research creation practice is informed by his queer lived experience across India, Canada, and the Czech Republic. He received his MFA (New Media, 2022) from the Iniskim University of Lethbridge and he is currently enrolled as a doctoral student at Concordia University’s Department of Computational Arts and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture (CISSC). As a researcher in residence with the Niitsitapi Pod of the Abundant Intelligences’ Research Network, he works to produce digital materials which centre the rematriation of Blackfoot lifeways.

Dr. Leroy Little Bear (Blackfoot) is Professor Emeritus at the University of Lethbridge, founding member of Canada’s first Native American Studies Department, former Director of the Harvard University Native American Program, and recipient of the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Education. Dr. Little Bear is a founding member of Canada’s first Native American Studies Department, at the University of Lethbridge, where he remained as a researcher, faculty member and department chair until his official retirement in 1997. Dr. Little Bear is the co-author of several books on self-government and Aboriginal rights, including Pathways to Self Determination, Quest For Justice, and Governments in Conflict. His credits also include a variety of influential articles such as, “A Concept of Native Title“, which was cited in a Canadian Supreme Court decision. He is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Indigenous epistemologies and the intersections between Indigenous and Western techno-scientific worldviews.

Amethyst First Rider is a member of the Kainai Nation, Blackfoot Confederacy, Alberta, Canada. She has been a leader in the performing arts community for more than 20 years, producing and directing plays depicting Aboriginal stories and culture. Her experience in the arts has included dance productions, consulting for the University of California, Berkeley’s planetarium, as well as narration and production in the National Film Board’s documentary: Kainayssini Imanistaiswa, The People Go On. She is central to the development and success of The Buffalo: A Treaty of Cooperation, Renewal and Restoration signed by over 30 First Nations and Tribes in Canada and the USA. It is the biggest modern Treaty amongst First Nations.

We’re thrilled to be launching the Abundant Intelligences YouTube page by sharing “A Dictionary of Blackfoot Metaphysics,” a combination of insightful narration by Dr. Leroy Little Bear and stunning animation by Nayan Velaskar under the guidance of Amethyst First Rider. The screening of this incredible piece of work at the Wampum Learning Lodge, London, Ontario, was one of the highlights of our third annual AGM.

[Link to video on AbInt YouTube]

From the website of animator Nayan Velaskar:

“A Dictionary of Blackfoot Metaphysics was made under the guidance of Amethyst First Rider and Dr. Leroy Little Bear. It documents the deep meaning of phonemic units of Niitsipowahssin, the Blackfoot language, and demonstrates Dr. Leroy Little Bear’s teachings about Blackfoot metaphysics—in his own words. The sound was recorded by Owen Scheibner-Healy.

Based on Dr. Little Bear’s description of all reality being comprised of energy waves, I produced this animated video using particle systems mapped on to 3D digital objects as a way to communicate the constant motion, constant flux articulated within phonemic units of the Blackfoot language.  The video was presented at the Abundant Intelligences Annual General Meeting (October 9th, 2025) and at the Dr. Margaret Perkins Hess Gallery (October 17th, 2025 – January 2026).”

Nayan Velaskar is a brown, immigrant, queer digital arts researcher who inhabits liminal, migrant spaces. His borderland research creation practice is informed by his queer lived experience across India, Canada, and the Czech Republic. He received his MFA (New Media, 2022) from the Iniskim University of Lethbridge and he is currently enrolled as a doctoral student at Concordia University’s Department of Computational Arts and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture (CISSC). As a researcher in residence with the Niitsitapi Pod of the Abundant Intelligences’ Research Network, he works to produce digital materials which centre the rematriation of Blackfoot lifeways.

Dr. Leroy Little Bear (Blackfoot) is Professor Emeritus at the University of Lethbridge, founding member of Canada’s first Native American Studies Department, former Director of the Harvard University Native American Program, and recipient of the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Education. Dr. Little Bear is a founding member of Canada’s first Native American Studies Department, at the University of Lethbridge, where he remained as a researcher, faculty member and department chair until his official retirement in 1997. Dr. Little Bear is the co-author of several books on self-government and Aboriginal rights, including Pathways to Self Determination, Quest For Justice, and Governments in Conflict. His credits also include a variety of influential articles such as, “A Concept of Native Title“, which was cited in a Canadian Supreme Court decision. He is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Indigenous epistemologies and the intersections between Indigenous and Western techno-scientific worldviews.

Amethyst First Rider is a member of the Kainai Nation, Blackfoot Confederacy, Alberta, Canada. She has been a leader in the performing arts community for more than 20 years, producing and directing plays depicting Aboriginal stories and culture. Her experience in the arts has included dance productions, consulting for the University of California, Berkeley’s planetarium, as well as narration and production in the National Film Board’s documentary: Kainayssini Imanistaiswa, The People Go On. She is central to the development and success of The Buffalo: A Treaty of Cooperation, Renewal and Restoration signed by over 30 First Nations and Tribes in Canada and the USA. It is the biggest modern Treaty amongst First Nations.