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Unreserved

From immersion camps to podcasts: Innovation attracts new Indigenous language speakers

Today on Unreserved, we're looking at efforts to revitalize Indigenous languages. From grassroots, land-based initiatives to academic and technological projects, work is underway across the country to encourage more language speakers.
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Waubgeshig Rice (centre) listens as his brother, Mskwaankwad (right), gives his son Jiikwis (left) some blueberries and explains them in Anishinaabemowin. (Submitted by Waubgeshig Rice)
Unreserved36:41From immersion camps to podcasts: Innovation attracts new Indigenous language speakers

The paths for Indigenous people to learn their languages isn't always clear. But efforts to make these languages more accessible — in different forms like immersion camps, language apps, and podcasts — brings in new language speakers, young and old.

This week on Unreserved, guest host Waubgeshig Rice shares his journey of learning Anishinaabemowin and why with one child and another on the way, it's up to him to make sure the language has a chance to resonate with the next generation.

Rice first visits Nimkii Aazhibikong, a remote language camp north of Elliot Lake, Ont., to chat with two elders and a language learner about their experiences relearning language through other traditional activities, like making maple syrup, tanning deer hides and more.

Rice with his wife, Sarah (left) and Jiikwis, his son at the Wasauksing ceremonial grounds. (Submitted by Waubgeshig Rice)

If you told Marlene King a year ago that she would be helping revitalize the Nuxalk language for the local college, she wouldn't have believed you. That's because she had just started relearning it herself. Now, thanks to a donation of archival tapes that are being digitized, forgotten words in the language will be reintroduced. 

Did you know that CBC has its own Cree podcast? It's called Wiih'teh, and it's hosted by Betsy Longchap and Mary Shem. Longchap joined us from the CBC Cree Unit in Montreal to tell us why hearing the language on the airwaves was important to her as a kid, and why it's important to her now. 

Rice and his wife Sarah aren't fluent Anishinaabemowin speakers, but they want their son, Jiikwis, to be fluent. There's no early immersion programs in Sudbury, where they live, so it's up to them to teach their son as much as they can. 

It's the same issue that Melissa Labrador had. After seeing a lack of Mi'kmaw education in the public school system, she decided to homeschool her twins — so they can be immersed in the language and culture.

This week's playlist: 

The Jerry Cans. (Jen Squires)


The Jerry Cans — Atauttikkut
Silla + Rise — Brazilian Kitturiaq
Midnight Shine — Heart of Gold
N'We Jinan — Dreamchild

 

 

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