To honour the diversity of languages found across Canada amongst First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples, NCCIE privileges Indigenous languages by placing them first on the NCCIE Home Page to the left of the logo.
At the top of the page, to the left of the NCCIE logo, you will see words alternately appearing in different languages. Each phrase has been shared by individuals who have described to NCCIE how they would express “Indigenous education” in their language, recognizing that “Indigenous” is a word that does not translate directly.
Below you will see the words they have shared, the name of their language and their People, and how they translate those words into English. You will note that “Indigenous” is not used in these descriptions.
If you would like to add to this growing list (or clarify what you see here), please click on “Contact Us” and let us know. We will gladly add your contribution to the rotating list of words next to the logo. If you use syllabics that do not appear in the spaces provided when you are typing, please email the information to nccie@fnuniv.ca. Please include:
People: Anihšināpē (Saulteaux)
Meaning: First People’s Education
People: Anishinaabe (Ojibwe)
Meaning: A Person’s Knowledge; literally, an Ojibwe Person’s Knowledge
People: Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Sioux)
Meaning: Common People’s education
People: Inuit (Nunavut)
Meaning: Education from Inuit and First Peoples
People: Nehiyawak (Cree)
Meaning: a First Nations person learning or teaching one another
People: Dene
Meaning: Teaching Dene People
People: Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Sioux)
Meaning: Common Man Teachings
People: Déline People, Great Bear Lake People (Sáhtu Region)
Meaning: “Dene ways of education” or “You are taught to learn something”
People: Siksika, Kainai and Piikani
Meaning: Real People’s Education
People: Naskapi Innu
Meaning: “learning of the Naskapi ways”