Indigenous Languages
For an overview of the First Nation & Indigenous languages in Treaty 6 (Alberta), please see the following icon:
(Yellowhead, 2020)
Language is considered one of most integral and important ways for humanity to communicate with each other. It also holds a very special place for Indigenous people (in Canada). Indigenous languages hold a wide variety of knowledge, culture and tradition. And, due to the dominance of verbs they have, they can explain and illustrate occurrences, events, change, flow and the interrelationship of the world around us (Frieson, 2002). For example, the word strawberry is pronounced ‘adeyimin ‘. It is explained as the heart of the plant as well as looks like it. All the veins and nutrients go through to the strawberry, much like our bodies pump blood and goes through our hearts. Blood carries oxygen and other important nutrients that the rest of our body needs to function properly (My Health Alberta, 2020).
Over the centuries in Canada, Indigenous languages have been spoken less and less, especially after the implementation of residential schools that reigned from the 1800’s up until 1996. Residential schools were created and used as an assimilation practice that required Indigenous children in Canada to attend. Many Indigenous children were forbidden to be with their families, practice their culture and traditions, or speak their language (for more information about this topic, please refer to the History section). Many of the children who attended residential schools were conditioned to not acknowledge their language, usually by punishment. Afterwards, they either forgot to speak their language, felt ashamed or embarrassed. (Faculty of Law, 2017). As a result, many of these children did not pass on their traditional Indigenous language. Other reasons for language loss include: English becoming the dominant language worldwide, post secondary institutions favoring languages over others, English is percieved as a required language to teach to children, and intermarriage (Shaul, 2014).
Because Indigenous languages hold so much knowledge and culture and knowledge keeps have reinstated the fact these languages were given by the creator, there is a concern, especially with our Indigenous youth who are speaking less of the languages. Currently, there is an urgency for language revitalization and many nations and organizations are working to create programs to teach Indigneous languages. Recently, the United Nations announced 2019 as the International year of the Indigenous languages to promote global awareness. They state that 40 percent of an estimated 6,700 Indigenous languages across the world are at danger of disappearing (IYIL, 2019). In Canada, the federal government introduced Bill C-91 that acknowledges that Indigenous languages are the first languages spoken in Canada and are fundamental to Indigenous people and their cultures (Justice Canada, 2019). The Assembly of First Nations also issued a statement, and preliminary guide to assist those who are looking to start a First Nations Language revitalization program (AFN, 2019).
In addition to this, there is no federal policy that requires schools to teach Indigneous languages (Battiste, 1998). Reserve schools, provincial school districts or schools are on their own initiative to implement a Indigenous language program for their students. Also, lack of funding to language preservation also proposes a problem. It inhibits post-secondary institutions, schools and organization from hiring the the necessary language keepers and speakers to develop curriculum and resources, in addition to the capital required to do it (Morcom, 2014)
Luckily! Educators, schools and organizations have the right, and means to bring in Indigenous languages. It can be incorporated into the classroom, in land-based teachings or offered as a community activity. It is highly recommended to begin your journey with acknowledging the treaty and/or territory one is living in, as well as the local First Nation communities. Invite respected Indigenous community members who speak the language fluently. Schools and organizations can turn to the local community for help for contacts, or you may contact Indigenous Ways of Knowing for help and referrals.
Spruce Grove, Edmonton and surrounding communities live in Treaty 6 territory. The Indigenous nations that reside in this area are the following:
Alexander First Nation
Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation
Enoch Cree Nation
Paul Band Nation
http://www.paulfirstnation.com/Contact
Michel Band
http://www.michelfirstnation.com
Papaschase First Nation
Metis Settlements
http://albertametis.com/governance/mna-regions/
Sunchild First Nation
http://sunchildfirstnation.com
O’Chiese First Nation
The Indigenous languages spoken in this territory are:
Plains Cree
Spoken by Alexander First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation, and Paul Band Nation,
O’Chiese First Nation & Sunchild First Nation
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Stoney Nakota Sioux
Spoken by Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation
Annishnabe / Saulteaux
Spoken by O’Chiese First Nation & Sunchild First Nation
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Michef
Spoken mainly by the Metis in central Alberta
For those interested in formally learning about these languages, the Yellowhead Tribal College (YTC) offers post-secondary Indigenous language courses.
YTC is located in Edmonton, Alberta and is an Indigenous Post-secondary institution that welcomes all. The Indigenous languages program and courses offered include: teachings from qualified instructors, cultural knowledge and teachings, and Elders. They have a commitment to helping students achieve success in teaching and learning their First language, their identity and ability to speak the language (YTC, 2020).
www.yellowheadtribalcollege.ca
Useful Language Resources by language
Plains Cree Stoney Nakota Sioux Annishnabe
/Saulteaux
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Please note, in addition to the languages spoken above in Treaty 6, it is interesting to point out there are more than 600 Indigenous communities in Canada, there are more than 50 languages spoken across Canada (Government of Canada, 2020). Approximately 11 of them are spoken in Alberta (and mentioned above)! Below is a list of them:
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Blackfoot - spoken by Siksika, Kainai, Piikani (Southern Alberta)
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Dene Soultine - spoken by the Chipewyan (Northern Alberta)
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Dena Tha - spoken by the Slavey (Northern Alberta)
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Dunne’za - spoken by the Beaver (Northern Alberta)
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Metis Cree - spoken by Metis (Central Alberta)
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Michif (a combination of Cree and French) - spoken by the Metis (Central Northeastern Alberta).
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Stoney - Spoken by the Nakoda - Central Alberta
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Plains Cree - spoken by the Cree - Central and parts of Southern Alberta
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Saulteaux - spoken by the Anishnaabe/Saulteax - Western Alberta
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T’suu Tina (Athabascan) spoken by the Dene - Southern Central Alberta
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Woodland Cree - spoken by the Cree - Northern Alberta.
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