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Shirley Williams – Language is Important

Shirley Williams (Bird Clan) is an Elder from Wiikwemkoong First Nation; her Anishinaabe name is Migizi ow Kwe meaning Eagle Woman.  Shirley is a Professor Emeritus at Trent University, Indigenous Studies where she has taught Anishnaabe language, identity, and culture for many years.  Over the course of her career at Trent and still today, Shirley […]

Shirley Williams (Bird Clan) is an Elder from Wiikwemkoong First Nation; her Anishinaabe name is Migizi ow Kwe meaning Eagle Woman.  Shirley is a Professor Emeritus at Trent University, Indigenous Studies where she has taught Anishnaabe language, identity, and culture for many years.  Over the course of her career at Trent and still today, Shirley has developed many different resources to help with the teaching and learning of Anishnaabemowin.   She is the author of ‘Shoolee: The Early Years’ an autobiographical and bilingual (English and Anishnnaabemowin) account of what traditional life was like growing up in the language and living close to the land on Manitoulan Island.

According to Elder Shirley Williams, supporting Indigenous language education is at the heart of reconciliation in Canada today. The residential school system almost destroyed the Anishnaabe language and the Anishnaabe educational system.  If we are going to move past the many harms of the residential school system and towards reconciliation in Canada, Indigenous languages need to be supported and we need to write and speak in the language as much as we can.    We need to respect and accept each other’s dialect and encourage each other to learn and speak the language.  We need to love our Anishnaabe language no matter how it is said.  We all belong because the Creator gave us all this language together. 

Taking Responsibility – Preserving and Teaching the Nakoda Language

In this mini language lesson, Armand McArthur shares the Nakoda language.

The late Elder Armand McArthur was a Nakoda man from Siyónide Nakóna Oyáde (Pheasant Rump First Nation). He was an instructor, both in his community and at First Nations University, specializing in teaching the Nakoda language. Using English alphabet symbols he teaches audience members how to pronounce sounds and words.

Mini Cree Language Lesson by Doreen Oakes

Doreen Oakes offers a mini language lesson for audience members at the Regina Elders Gathering.

Doreen Oakes was a Cree language educator at the First Nations University of Canada in the Department of Indigenous Languages, Arts, and Cultures until June 30th, 2016. In February 2020, at the Regina Elders Gathering, Oakes shared a brief Cree language lesson in this video clip. Oakes invites the audience to introduce themselves by saying hello, my name is and I am from, in Cree. For example, tânisi Doreen Oakes niya Nekaneet First Nation nitocin. Watch the clip for correct pronunciation!

Art Petahtegoose – Thinking in Our Language and Our Role in Creation

An Elder, who is preparing Anishinaabe people to be responsible, knowledgeable about their culture, creation and to show us our own personal role in Creation.

An Elder, who is preparing Anishinaabe people to be responsible, knowledgeable about their culture, creation and to show us our own personal role in Creation.

Dr. Brock Pitawanakwat – Nation-specific models of education

Developing models for nation-specific education through language revitalization and community engagement.

Developing models for nation-specific education through language revitalization and community engagement.

Manitoba First Nations School System

Manitoba First Nations School System (MFNSS), begun in 2017, has been empowered to engage in Indigenous led education within the province.  Established by the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC), MFNSS is a First Nations-designed and led school system.  For more information, visit: https://www.mfnss.com/About/Pages/default.aspx#/=.

Manitoba First Nations School System (MFNSS), begun in 2017, has been empowered to engage in Indigenous led education within the province.  Established by the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC), MFNSS is a First Nations-designed and led school system.  For more information, visit: https://www.mfnss.com/About/Pages/default.aspx#/=.

Jocelyn Formsma – Student of Life

Examples of formal and informal Indigenous Education from a ‘student of life’ who describes the importance of language and land-based learning.

Examples of formal and informal Indigenous Education from a ‘student of life’ who describes the importance of language and land-based learning.

Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom – Angela Christmas

Angela Christmas, who teaches grades 1-9 at Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom, on Miawpukek First Nation, describes the advantages of teaching Mi’kmaw and sign language simultaneously. She also discusses her home reading program, which enables children to teach other family members Mi’kmaw.  

Angela Christmas, who teaches grades 1-9 at Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom, on Miawpukek First Nation, describes the advantages of teaching Mi’kmaw and sign language simultaneously. She also discusses her home reading program, which enables children to teach other family members Mi’kmaw.  

Stó:lō Nation Early Childhood Development Centre

Stó:lō Nation Early Childhood Development Centre Interview

A:lmélháwtxw “ Caring for our children” Early Education Centre provides programming in which offers a quality, holistic, traditional and safe environment for children birth to six years of age. Our programs are designed to offer children opportunities to explore the Stó:lō (people of the river) culture, language and traditions. Our environment fosters individual learning styles, exploration and self-acceptance. We provide early learning activities, which allow the children to learn through play. Our program environment blends the teachings of the Stó:lō people, the Halq’eméylem language and early education concepts. Our inclusive environment provides a harmonious balance in which fosters our Children’s natural ways of learning. For more information see: http://www.stolonation.bc.ca/

“Siyamtelot and Swelimeltexw” Hearing from our Elders

Siyamtelot is Okanagan and registered Stó:lō by marriage. Swelimeltexw is Stó:lō from Stsálles are Elders from Okanagan. They share their educational experience along with stories and teachings.

Siyamtelot is Okanagan and registered Stó:lō by marriage. Swelimeltexw is Stó:lō from Stsálles are Elders from Okanagan. They share their educational experience along with stories and teachings.