(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Languages

Beardy’s Okemasis receives green light for new Cree language program

Oct 26, 2021 | 12:35 PM

A new Cree language program will launch next week at Beardy’s Okemasis Cree Nation, thanks to recent grant approval from the federal government.

A total of $140,000 is being put towards weekly sessions both virtual and in-person. Community Development Officer Kevin Seesequasis told paNOW they want to involve elders as well as local fluent speakers.

“We know that our langauge is a spirit and we have to keep it awake and that’s what we hope to to do with this project,” he said.

Funding for Wespawenamak Nehiyawewin, falls under the Indigenous Languages and Culture program. Seesequasis explained the community is now in the process of hiring facilitators, educational experts and language experts.

“I am really hopeful that a lot of people in our community will participate. Even myself as a non-speaker I am so excited that I am going to have this consistent regular opportunity to learn my language,” he said.

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Seesequasis further explained it was important that the the learning method was away from western style and ensured people were on the land, getting outdoors, experiencing conversational Cree. Issues related to residental schools was also considered during planning.

“We thought about how that was a structured environment and that was where our language was taken from us. We thought we can’t put people in an institutionalized setting and expect different results,” he said.

The program will be open to all community members. Seesequasis explained language experts have advised that children as young as two and three have the ability to make the sounds of the language.

At the conclusion of the 45 weeks, Seesequasis said he would like to see some form of intensive cultural camp where people who have taken the classes can demonstrate what they have learned. And further down the road, Seesequasis would ike to see a Cree immersion program offered in the community.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell