'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
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.