'I really like Cree': Day camps teach Indigenous language
The Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre has launched a pair of day camps to teach an introduction to Cree and Saulteaux languages.
This Indigenous Language Day Camp was open to all ages. Beginning Aug. 8 with a Cree session featuring both a classroom setting and outdoor learning through games and exercises utilizing the language.
“Even though you might not be raised with it, you might have not grown up hearing it, you can still learn it,” said Darian Agecoutay, who taught the session.
Agecoutay has been teaching Cree since 2019 and is working towards a Masters in Indigenous Language Education.
He said learning Cree is more than just learning the language itself, but also learning the history, cultural teaching and traditions. His session taught basic verbs and conversation with a hint of storytelling.
“I really like Cree and I want to keep going on it,” said seven-year-old Leese Seesequasis, who took part in the lesson.
During Monday’s class, Leese said she learned numbers and symbols as well as some Cree words. She joined class hoping to one day be able to read Cree books.
Her twin, Sonny Seesequasis, was interested in class to gain the knowledge needed to beat a Cree game.
“You learn about animals and numbers, it’s really cool,” Sonny said of the game, adding learning Cree is “really fun.”
Agecoutay said starting with younger children is important because they learn faster and their knowledge can continue to be built on. However, it is also important for those adults to revitalize the language.
“That’s what I’m hoping for the older ones, is that they can take some of the stuff that they learned within the class and take it back home to their own communities, maybe teach it to their children their own grandchildren,” said Agecoutay.
The Friendship Centre said its goal is to provide quality programs and services for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members, and language gives meaning to their programming.
“Language is the foundation of culture, so for us to be able to provide meaningful programming, it’s important that we include language as well,” said Cassidy Kerr, community programs manager for the centre.
The centre said it is grateful to be able to expand their programming as they grow and are looking forward to offering more day camps in the future.
Week-night language classes teaching Cree, Saulteux, Dakota and Michif are also offered through the centre, both in-person and virtually.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.