The Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC) First Nations Language Keepers Conference came to an end in Saskatoon Thursday.
First Nations community language educators, advocates, elders and spectators gathered for the past two days at the Saskatoon Inn and Conference Centre to network and learn the best ways to preserve Indigenous languages.
“Language is intrinsically part of each and every one of us and forms part of our identity and our nationhood,” said SICC President Wanda Wilson. “Ancient teachings are given through the gift of ancestral languages. Whatever Indigenous language group you come from, it needs to be honored by speaking it, even if it’s just a few words.”
One of the main goals of this year’s conference was to teach youth Indigenous languages.
Noella Eagle, principal of Standing Buffalo School, was one of the gathering’s speakers. She explained how additional time needs to be spent teaching children Indigenous languages in the classroom.
“As schools, we dedicate maybe half an hour or an hour to our language, and that’s just not enough time,” Eagle said.
The chief of the largest Mi’kmaw community in Nova Scotia gave the last keynote address at the conference. Eskasoni First Nation Chief Leroy Denny spoke about how environment and teamwork are vital to passing Indigenous languages on to the next generation.
“Teaching youth Indigenous languages will make them more successful and should be a community initiative. The environment is very important,” Denny said. “It is possible for our children to learn our languages. There is hope.”
(PHOTO: Chief Leroy Denny giving the last keynote address at the gathering. Photo by Brendan Mayer.)