tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1972812298831312750.post2769563858399694226..comments2023-11-05T02:56:55.778-06:00Comments on At the Edge of Canada: Indigenous Research: Michif: a Language Born and Near Death on our Native Land.Robert-Falcon Ouellettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15385008965067466414noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1972812298831312750.post-57016557662708430522014-02-25T11:21:22.025-06:002014-02-25T11:21:22.025-06:00Language is such a vital part of any culture. It a...Language is such a vital part of any culture. It allows a culture to express who they are and what they are feeling through speech. People are able to make connections with others through language. Finding out someone speaks the same language as you can unite people when they are far from their country of origin. Language allows culture to pass on traditions orally through many generations and allows people to build on their identity. Having language disappear would be a tragedy to any culture. Those people who are a part of that culture have lost that identifiable factor and are not able to carry on that aspect. This blog post had me reflecting on my own experience with language. Learning a language later on in your life is extremely tough. Hearing about that post-secondary Cree class, reminded me about how I went through that same process to learn Spanish. It baffles me that the students coming out of that class could not even say hello in Cree. I agree with what was said about those students wasting not only their time and money, but the chance to keep that language alive (Ouellette, 2013). Most of my Spanish language learning came from post-secondary classes. Growing up I had exposure to the language, but it was not enough to make me a fluent speaker today. I feel like if my Dad exposed the language to me more when I was younger, I would have a better grasp of it as an adult. <br /><br />Relating this to the disappearance of the Cree language, I think there needs to be a balance between exposure at home and within the school system. I think students should be able to have that school exposure starting in elementary school. Having that early exposure will allow students’ to continue their learning and understanding throughout their schooling. The difficulties in achieving that exposure starts with the lack of elementary schools that offer the teaching of Aboriginal languages. Marcel Balfour, who is the chief of Norway House has been pushing the Frontier School division to implement Cree immersion schools within the division (Santin, 2009). An article in the Winnipeg Free Press describes his want for the people of Norway House to be proficient in the Cree language by 2020 (Santin, 2009). Getting school divisions to take interest in this loss of language is the tough part. Schools need to be on board and willing to add different programs for Aboriginal languages in early years education. Once they reach that university setting they will hopefully have those basic understandings, so that they can focus on the fluency of the language. Throughout the learning process, if students can be exposed to the language via other forms, like parents, community, etc., I think it will set those students up for better success. This will then secure the preservation of the Cree language. The Kindergarten to Grade 12 Aboriginal Languages and Culture document provides a framework and curriculum to help teachers in teaching this language. It states that there needs to be an “enhanced role of the language in the home and community, especially for Aboriginal learners, but also for non-Aboriginal learners who have connections to Aboriginal families and communities” (Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth, 2007, p.23). They need to have those opportunities to practice speaking and interact with other people who speak the Cree language. They need to put their knowledge and understanding into use. <br />Sources:<br />Santin, Aldo. (2009, May 9). Language challenge for Cree nation. Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved from http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/language-challenge-for-cree- nation-44633742.html. <br />Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth. (2007). Kindergarten to Grade 12 Aboriginal Languages and Culture. Retrieved from http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/abedu/framework/k-1<br />Ouellette, Robert-Falcon. (Director) (2013, Jan 03). At the Edge of Canada:Indigenous Research. Michif: a Language Born and Near Death on our Native Land. [Blog]. Retrieved from http://www.attheedgeofcanada.com. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1972812298831312750.post-5068257152654905732014-01-30T14:48:30.256-06:002014-01-30T14:48:30.256-06:00Language is power. Language is culture. Language i...Language is power. Language is culture. Language is communication. Language is how we express ourselves, how we are connected to one another, and even part of how we define ourselves. The loss of Aboriginal languages in Canada is disastrous. “Language is one of the most tangible symbols of culture and group identity. It is not only a means of communication, but a link which connects people with their past and grounds their social, emotional and spiritual vitality. Although loss of language doesn’t necessarily lead to the death of a culture, it can severely handicap transmission of that culture” (Norris, 1998, p. 8). Integration of Aboriginal culture into the classroom is slowly and with difficulty happening. What needs to be realized is that language is a crucial part of culture and needs to be part of education.<br /><br />The blog points out that even those who are trying to learn Aboriginal languages are failing: “I try to use my broken Cree with some of the young students who want to go to university, they cannot even carry on a simple conversation. The elders can, but the young are too busy watching TV in English, using their iPhone in English and studying at school in English” (Ouellette, 2013, para. 3). I think this is a problem that other languages in Canada face although not to the near extinction of Cree and other Aboriginal languages. With the pushing of Aboriginal culture into schools I wonder why Aboriginal language is not also being integrated. Is it because of lack of teachers who can properly instruct these languages? I think that schools need to somehow start incorporating classes to teach these students even in small capacities. Societies need to also take more responsibility and start offering classes for children, adults, Aboriginal and non-aboriginal so that the more people speak these languages the more people that can teach them. If parents and others can start teaching their children at home and in their communities than perhaps language extinction can be avoided.<br /><br />We need to take responsibility in our schools to be inclusive to everyone but at the same time we do not have enough resources, time, or capable teachers to teach a language that most do not know. I think that Aboriginal languages should have just as much (if not more) of a right to be taught in schools than German, Spanish, French, etc. In order to preserve these languages that are a fundamental part of Canada we need to start offering chances to learn and use Aboriginal languages. Perhaps we can start by even learning and incorporating basic phrases, poems, and literature into our classes as well as exploring the history and culture of Aboriginal peoples.<br /><br /><br /><br />References:<br /><br />Norris, M. J. (1998, Winter). Canada's Aboriginal Languages . Canadian Social Trends, 11-008, 8-16.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1972812298831312750.post-69620799425765901262013-10-21T21:21:15.602-05:002013-10-21T21:21:15.602-05:00It does not surprise me that the Cree language is ...It does not surprise me that the Cree language is slowly declining in the number of people who can speak it. In fact, according to National Geographic, it is estimated that over half of all the languages in the world will go extinct within 100 years (http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/enduring-voices/). A large number of countries out there are teaching the English language in class, they are watching more English television because all of the ‘good’ shows play in that language, and more and more people are moving to Canada and the United States and away from their native countries.<br /><br />Once people move to North America, they are forced to learn English because that is how schools teach, it is the language people generally speak on the streets, and it is a common language used by most in stores, at restaurants, and at other places outside of the home. If you don’t make a point of speaking your native language, then you will be quick to lose it. I know some people who are first generation immigrants and they are having a difficult time speaking their first language now because it is very rarely practiced. It is spoken by their parents at home, but they still speak English.<br /><br />A parent also needs to make a point of teaching their children their native tongue as well. Both of my parents speak German, however my siblings and I did not ever learn how to speak it. Because of this, the German language will be lost in our family line unless we decide to take it upon ourselves to learn the language as adults.<br /><br />As languages around the world are decreasing, the Cree language will also have a more difficult time staying afloat. It does make it more frustrating that people are claiming to know the language even though they don’t. This may mean that people will not work as hard to keep the language alive if they think that there are still a lot of the population that can still speak it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1972812298831312750.post-6209926900748360742013-01-21T11:30:57.321-06:002013-01-21T11:30:57.321-06:00Heather, you do have kind words to share. The situ...Heather, you do have kind words to share. The situation is yet the same as it was for many, many years past. Elders, or language speakers are seldom recognized for their time - financially. It is unfortunate that in most cases they are expected to do these language services for next to nothing. WHY? What is often not shared outloud is that, the extremely important cultural processes and thought processes are sadly lost when the languages are lost. I personally prefer to think in my language and most importantly - dream in my original language. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474247940101343098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1972812298831312750.post-82743430735927414312013-01-09T13:20:38.518-06:002013-01-09T13:20:38.518-06:00Taanshi, Robert,
Take a look at the University of...Taanshi, Robert,<br /><br />Take a look at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks Alaska Native Language Center. http://www.uaf.edu/anlc/ They were (and still may be) teaching endangered indigenous languages with an official "instructor of record" and fluent speakers Elders. As far as I understnad, they were also using the Internet (Skype) to bridge (albeit not perfectly) the distance between students having to attend university and Elders living in rural areas. I don't know how the Elders were honored/paid for their work. There never is a enough money for things like this but there are Elders out there who get involved because they LOVE the language and not because they will be paid.... (They, of course, need to be honored/paid in some manner but it may not need to be in currency.... We need to think creatively, traditionally and practically--outside of the colonial institutional box!) Just some more thoughts....<br />Eekoshi.<br />HeatherHeather, Michif language activist and community scholar of linguistics https://www.blogger.com/profile/15244174640878132250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1972812298831312750.post-2268674537321163872013-01-09T11:08:47.185-06:002013-01-09T11:08:47.185-06:00Heather, Tansai
marci for the words
While studyi...Heather, Tansai<br /><br />marci for the words<br /><br />While studying music in the 90s and 2000s I was aware that the Master apprentice programs are able to produce very highly qualified individuals. Almost all people who were learning a trade in 1700s and 1800s were apprenticed to a master, and lived with the master and his family. In my case I looked a musicians guilds. An individual at age ten would be assigned a master who would teach him the art of trumpet playing, this might entail defending one person for musicians were used on the battlefield, reading music, proper sound formation, dress, reading, writing, playing in various situations such as at a court, church, parade or the calls to be made on the battlefield. After 3-5 years the apprentice would be skilled enough that they would be free to join the guild as a fully fledged member. They were able to produce very skilled musicians that functioned well within society. <br /><br />The master-apprentice system applies equally well to all trades and industries. It is one on one teaching. The Western model has gotten away from this system because it is very expensive and while producing excellent results, no longer corresponds to the mass produced economy that we use in the neo-liberal world. We have created an education system which is to produce individuals with little in depth knowledge of an industry or area, but who are able to function as industrial cogs and fit into various jobs. The problem with a system of master-apprentice is very few universities will allow a program to exist where 1 individual will learn a language with a master on a full time basis. They simply cannot afford it. The only programs still doing training like this is the medical field and the music faculties. Even here it is very limited. Music is always being cut back and the medical fields are seen as too important. This is a tough nut to crack because for every one person who learns the language many more have the language taken from them. <br /><br />robert<br />Robert-Falcon Ouellettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15385008965067466414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1972812298831312750.post-89647113062551957422013-01-08T16:40:16.555-06:002013-01-08T16:40:16.555-06:00Taanshi. Hello.
Interesting article.... I am wo...Taanshi. Hello.<br /><br />Interesting article.... I am wondering if you have looked into the successes of the Master-Apprentice type programs.... Dale McCreery learned Michif by actually living with a Michif-speaking elder for about five months while doing recordings and transcribing them as an assistant on a research project. Listening and speaking is the key! This is was as close to immersion as one can get for Michif or other languages that have few speakers.... It would be great if native speakers of Michif were empowered to take young people who want to be educators and/or linguists into their lives with the express desire to pass on the Michif language and our culture as a communal treasure/resource.... <br /><br />Also, I feel it is imperative that we empower Native speakers to tell stories in Michif and then record (audio and video when possible) and transcribe them for publication (with an English translation relegated to the back of the books?!) We need to move the focus from translations of English into Michif to stories created and/or told Michif to start with! The way in which stories are told in Michif is so very different than English.... Without learning this from experiencing Language is NOT about simply translating words or sentences. It is much more than that.... We need to get into the flow of the language and that can only happen when you are "inside" Michif and not trying to force the language into structures that are foreign to it.<br /><br />Check out the Indigenous Language Institute: http://www.indigenous-language.org/<br />For example, they have wonderful workshops where Elders and others together learn how to create print and recorded materials in their languages. Participants can come away with a finished children's book that immediately can be put to use to learn/teach the language....<br /><br />There are many other resources out there that give the power to the people who want to learn, to teach and to share their languages so that NEW speakers evolve and the languages are spoken by the next generation and those beyond. It needs to be grassroots and community-based....<br /><br />As you have noted, families are key to the survival of any language and/or culture.... I am excited to see where your initiative takes our languages! Heather, Michif language activist and community scholar of linguistics https://www.blogger.com/profile/15244174640878132250noreply@blogger.com