Indigenous Languages

Discusses how the history of the native people is reflected in their language. Elders of the native communities in Manitoba express their opinions on importance of their language as a part of their identity and heritage. Also native educators talk about the need for the young people in the community to learn their native language. Native day cares and schools are doing their part to teach the young people the language. Ida Bear, RRC alumni and Cree interpreter.

Profiles one native community's struggle to preserve their indigenous language-- and the hard, often unheralded, work of individuals recognized as language keepers. Arvid Charlie is among the last generation raised speaking Hul'qumi'num, the Coast Salish language spoken by the Cowichan people in BC. Like most of the 88 Aboriginal languages in Canada, Hul'qumi'num is teetering on the brink of extinction. For elders like Arvid, sharing and documenting the language is a race against time. Their work embraces new technologies so that the language, culture and teachings can be reawakened in younger generations.