Words and Culture

Elder Sheldon First Rider shares his language journey. From hiding his language in residential school, to teaching language learners how to write Blackfoot in syllabics, Sheldon First Rider has seen the rise and fall of the language, and is helping it to return today.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Host Eugene Brave Rock visits with Elder Alvine Eaglespeaker who shares her story of helping her husband, Spike Eaglespeaker, to learn the Blackfoot language. And it might not be what you expect. Many mistakes were made and a lot of laughter is still heard throughout their home.  Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Elder Spike Eaglespeaker shares his life experiences of growing up and growing into traditional teachings and learning the language. Eugene Brave Rock visits Spike, who opens his home and heart to Eugene.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Jesse DesRosier has been a  Blackfeet language teacher at the Piegan Institute's Cuts Wood School in Browning, Montana. He remembers the first name he was given by his grandmother. Jesse shares with host Eugene Brave Rock the importance of learning from Elder language speakers. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Sterling Cryinghead is a language teacher, although he doesn’t like to think of himself as one. Sterling shares his journey of language sharing with host Eugene Brave Rock and how a group of learners were so eager for language, they wanted class more than once a week. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Host Shelagh Rogers chats with Elder Norman Fleury about the origins of Michif and reveals how her own reconnection journey is continuing. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

In this episode of the Michif series, host Shelagh Rogers visits with Danielle Lucier and her son Hugo. Hugo shares why it’s important to him to learn Michif and embrace the Métis culture through beadwork. And how Elton John is helping him on his language journey. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Artist, advocate, and language learner Christi Belcourt joins host Shelagh Rogers to talk name reclamation, Métis scrip, and her own language teachers, including Métis matriarch Maria Campbell.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Host Shelagh Rogers continues her journey of connecting back to the community with her conversation with Tracy Fehr and her project of honouring Métis women and their ancestors. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Métis singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume shares the stories of her latest album The Truth We Hold. It chronicles Métis history both past and present. Amanda and host Shelagh Rogers practice their Michif.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Shelagh Rogers is joined by Governor-General award winning Métis writer Katherena Vermette who shares from her new book of poetry, and her thoughts on her ancestors and future generations. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Legendary broadcaster Shelagh Rogers shares her journey of Métis connection while talking with Michif speakers and learners. Guest Heather Souter explains how Michif was born and how the language is kept alive. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Lindsey Denny and Elisha Sapier use TikTok to reach youth and other tech savvy peeps in their bid to help revitalize the Mi'kmaq language. From bloopers to community involvement, Lindsey and Elisha are taking on the world, one Mi’kmaq word a day.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Bernie Francis is a linguist of the Mi'kmaq language. But what is a linguist exactly? Before we find out, Bernie takes a deep dive into how he used language to help the Mi’kmaw from going to jail because they didn’t know the colonizer’s language.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Elder Cheryl Maloney shares the prophecy of the white owl and how its appearance foretold change for the Mi’kmaw and how that change would first destroy them but then rebuild their nation anew. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Wolastoqey musician and language learner Jeremy Dutcher share how he was invited into 94-year-old Henrietta Black’s home to learn more of his language, and how his music is purposely designed to reach people and share his love of his language and world-view.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

There are a lot of assumptions around Indigenous languages in Canada. But the biggest fallacy might be that they are purely oral language. Host Pam Palmater talks with educator, poet, and artist Michelle Sylliboy whose work focuses on the oral and written language of Mi’kmaq. Petroglyphs tell the story of contact while others are pre-contact.  Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

In the first episode of the Mi’kmaq episodes, our host Pam Palmater introduces us to Jarvis Googoo who speaks all over the Maritimes about Mi'kmaq history and culture. He is the embodiment of what it means to share our culture with the world. He is a marathon runner with a law degree and is the host of the TV show Mi’kmagi. Jarvis talks about the return to original place names. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Richard Armstrong is an Elder and a first language speaker of nsyilxcən. is determined to keep teaching the language to younger people by meeting them where they are comfortable – online. Host Tracey Kim Bonneau visits with Richards and also learns more about the land around her through language. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Kristine Jack was raised with language speakers. She listened to her grandmother as she shared stories with the other women while out on the land or even just visiting their home. And this was her spark to learn the language because as Kristine tells it, she really wanted to know what they were saying. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Dr. Maxine Baptiste shares how the nsyilxcn written language evolved as technology evolved. And gives Tracey Kim Bonneau a lesson on nsyilxcn sounds that don’t exist in the English language.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

In this emotionally-packed episode, host Tracey Kim Bonneau speaks with her daughter about what it’s like working to reclaim her language while also trying to raise her granddaughter with language.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Host Tracey Kim Bonneau talks with language learner and keeper Peggy Joe about growing up and hearing adults use the syilx language for secrets and then learning it herself to teach her grandchildren.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Host Tracey Kim Bonneau introduces you to the syilx of the Okanagan Valley. Her guest is cultural and language keeper Elder Rose Coldwell. They start the series in a good way with a blessing and song from the land.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

The process of being a giant part of Haida culture and the stories of being a “just a man on a journey”.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Christian White shares his experiences as an artist and thoughts on how to find your place in the community while learning the language.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Erika Ryan shares her love of the Haida language, how she learned and how she is passing it along to not only younger generations but older ones as well. Plus she teaches Kristi how to flirt in the language!Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Diane Brown shares her experiences in becoming a storyteller of Haida legends. She shares one of the legends about raven.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Kristi Lane Sinclair takes listeners to a potlatch to feast and celebrate the Gidansta pole. She paints the scenes in the longhouse and shares how the potlatch ban and outlawing of ceremonies affected the Haida.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Haida/Cree musician Kristi Lane Sinclair hosts the Haida Episodes as we kick off season 2 of Words and Culture. Kristi visits carvers Jaalan and Gwaai Edenshaw as they finish creating a memorial pole for their father, Guujaaw. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Musician Beatrice Deer shares her love of tattoos with Madeleine and the importance of traditional tattoos. Then Madeleine shares an intimate moment in her life as she receives another line in her chin tattoo.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Madeleine is visited by Meeka Mike in her own kitchen. Get ready to be immersed in Inuktitut as Meeka bakes bannock for Madeleine while sharing parts of her journey as an Inuk. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Robbie Watt joins Madeleine and shares his love of throat singing. He discusses how he learned it and continues to sing it today, even though throat singing is mainly sung by women. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Madeleine steps out of her comfort zone and interviews her dear “chum” Lucy Qavavauq who she has known since residential school and then as mothers. Lucy is now the co-CEO of Inuit TV. They share laughter, tears and the importance of keeping the Inuktitut language alive.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Madeleine visits her good friend and former colleague Joanna Awa. They share their love of the north, broadcasting in Inuktitut, and the colonization of her family by Qallunaat - or white people. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Host Madeleine Alakkariallak introduces us to the Inuktitut language and the Inuit who continue to speak it. Guest Louise Flaherty is a book publisher and is a first language learner and she shares how she became a translator for her grandparents at a very young age. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Author Waubgeshig Rice brings Anishinaabemowin into the future with his novels set in a futuristic world. Waub discusses his love of the written word and how that has allowed him to bring his language to readers of all cultures.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

James Vukelich shares his love of the language on his Instagram account by sharing a word of the day. He took up the challenge during the pandemic and has more than 123,000 followers – all for the love of Anishinaabemowin.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Anishinaabe singer/songwriter Shy-Anne Horvorka has returned to music after a several years long break. She has returned with not only new music but for the first time, music in Anishinaabemowin. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Language keeper Patricia Ningewance loves her language and translating English into Anishinaabemowin. Patricia is an author, painter, nookum and is translating Star Wars into Anishinaabemowin.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Duncan McCue is a former journalist turned professor. He shares his journey of learning Anishinaabemowin and what it was like being fully immersed in the language and his struggle to keep it up in his daily life.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Elder Barbara Nepinak prefers to keep the old ways of the language, where it has deeper meaning and a connection to the Anishinaabe world-view. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Host Christine Genier introduces us to her auntie, Nakhela Hazel Bunbury. Auntie, as Christine calls her, is a language teacher, an Elder, and family matriarch. Auntie is well-known for her language work, advocacy and teaching.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Lenita Alatini is a Southern Tutchone speaker and language teacher. Host Christine Genier visits Lenita in her home in Burwash, Yukon. Lenita shares how she is passing on the language while they talk in both the  Dän k'é Kwinjé and English.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Christine sits down with musician Bria Rose, a Tahltan citizin. She shares her love of music, culture and language and performs a drum song. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Jolenda Benjamin is a teacher, a mother, and a keeper of the Upper Tanana language. Christine and Jolenda discuss how the U.S./Canada border split up nations or tribes but how the language has remained on both sides of the borders.  Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Christine visits with Gwichi’in language speaker Brandon Kikyvichik about how their language is part of the Athabaskan family of languages and the different dialects within each language group, and sub-dialects or regional dialects within the major ones. Christine also vistis with Bobbi Rose Koe about her adventure tourism company and how she wraps it in culture.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Host Christine Genier is a citizen of the Ta’an Kwach’an Council. Christine speaks with Tina Jules of the Yukon Native Language Centre and why language learning is vital to their emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Host Michael Hutchinson visits with Earl Wood, a Cree commentator bringing his language to life as part of ATPN’s broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada. Plus mezzo-soprano Rhonda Head shares what it was like to sing the national anthem in Cree at an NHL hockey game in Winnipeg.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca

Allan “Richard” Keeper is a star storyteller, that is he tells stories about the stars and how they relate to the Cree culture. Join host, Michael Hutchinson as they go star trekking in Cree. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca