Last week, I had the honour of addressing the staff and Board of Directors of Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Education Authority at their second annual convention. One of the key points in my presentation was that the Cree language must be the first priority of the Education Authority. Part of their mission statement reads:
“Our strength is in the richness of our land and the uniqueness of our language, history, identity and ways of being. Working closely with members of the community, we are committed to ensuring traditional teachings are nurtured so that students know and have pride in who they are.”
We know that language is deeply connected to culture and tradition. Once a language is lost, so is culture and tradition. The example I used was from my own family. My maternal grandparents were fluent in Ukrainian, and we followed many of those traditions especially around holiday times. However, my grandparents did not speak the language to their children and so none of the five spoke the language. The traditions that I so fondly remember as a child were never taken up by any of my mother’s family and now are lost forever in my time.
In Canada, the province of Quebec fights hard to maintain their French language. While many in western Canada do not appreciate the stance of the Quebec government and her people, it is easily explainable…lose the language and you lose the culture. Language fosters a sense of belonging and a connection to one’s roots. It strengthens the ties between generations and is an integral part of a community’s cultural identity.
Indigenous people have struggled to maintain their language and way of life through the impacts of racist Canadian policy and residential schools. So much of their history revolves around others attempting to limit or more accurately eliminate their language, culture and traditions. It is essential for Indigenous languages to not only survive but thrive to ensure traditional knowledge is passed on through generations. Their culture, traditional stories, folklore, rituals, and wisdom deserve to be heard, shared and lived through their language.
We live in an “either/or” world and our politicians continue to promote that divide. You are often expected to be only conservative or liberal, management or union, French or English or for or against. Yet, a better society requires an acceptance of an “and/both” reality. Indigenous people can live speaking their own language AND… They can follow their traditional ways of knowing AND…
It is disheartening when we affirm those who know more than one language but not if it is an Indigenous language. Studies suggest that bilingualism or multilingualism, including proficiency in an Indigenous language, can have cognitive and educational advantages. It enhances cognitive flexibility, problem-solving skills, and cultural awareness.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognizes the right of Indigenous peoples to maintain, control, protect, and develop their cultural heritage, including their languages. Preserving Indigenous languages is a matter of upholding human rights and respecting cultural autonomy of Indigenous communities. Given Canada’s horrific treatment of Indigenous peoples and as part of the ongoing support of the Truth and Reconciliation process, every effort should be made to revitalize and promote Indigenous languages. The preservation of these languages contributes to a more diverse, inclusive, and culturally rich society, and in Canada…we desperately need that!
