荔枝视频

It鈥檚 no secret that Indigenous languages around the world are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 96 per cent of the world鈥檚 6,700 languages are spoken by only three per cent of the population, and more than 40 per cent of those languages are in danger of disappearing.

Recognizing that the loss of language is one of the most critical issues faced by Indigenous Peoples today, the United Nations General Assembly named 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages. 

Honouring language at Campfire Chats

With this important theme in mind, the 荔枝视频鈥檚 annual Campfire Chats will celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 with an afternoon of events and activities, followed by a moderated conversation around a campfire exploring the importance of Indigenous languages. 

The daytime program (2:30 to 5 p.m.) will welcome visitors for teepee raising, traditional drumming and dancing performances, and storytelling in teepees with: Florence Kelly, Elder from the Onigaming First Nation, and U荔枝视频 alumna; Reg Crowshoe, Pikanii Elder and U荔枝视频鈥檚 Traditional Knowledge Keeper in Residence; and Curtis Running Rabbit-Lefthand, member of the Amskaapipikuni, Siksika, and Stoney Nakoda Nations and U荔枝视频 law student.

The evening program (5:30 to 7 p.m.) will include a concession of bannock and saskatoon berry jam, alongside remarks from the 荔枝视频 Stampede, a performance from First Nations Princess Astokomii Smith, as well as stories from Reg Crowshoe, Michael Hart, vice-provost (Indigenous engagement), Diane Meguinis, Tsuut鈥檌na Elder, and Rod Hunter, Bearspaw Elder, about the significance of language.

鈥淔or us, language is what Creator gave us to communicate with him,鈥� explains Hunter. 鈥淲e have a story about a lady that passed away, and she went up to the gate and said, 'Let me in,鈥� in English, but Creator didn鈥檛 let her in. 鈥業 don鈥檛 understand you,鈥� he said. 鈥榊ou did not speak to me in the language I gave you. Go back and learn it, and then I will let you in.鈥� That鈥檚 how important language is.鈥�

Language revitalization starts with listening to language-holders and knowledge keepers like Hunter. As we learn about the history and value of Indigenous languages in Southern Alberta, we can look toward a richer, more diverse future.

June is National Indigenous History Month, and National Indigenous Peoples Day is on June 21. Learn more about how U荔枝视频 is Indigenizing ways of knowing, doing, connecting and being through  ii鈥� taa鈥檖oh鈥檛o鈥檖, our Indigenous Strategy.

Do you have a project in mind to help the vision of ii鈥� taa鈥檖oh鈥檛o鈥檖? Students, faculty and staff can apply for a grant of up to $10,000 to Indigenize and decolonize our campus. Deadline is June 30.