I was particularly impassioned by the articles and videos regarding the revitalization of Indigenous languages that we explored these last two weeks. The impacts of colonialism and how the annihilation of cultures, erasure of language, and assimilation through oppression and genocide is just so disturbing and heartbreaking. It still shocks me how belligerent Canada has been with multilingual policies and Indigenous rights. I found The Language of Empire so intriguing how language can evolve, adapt, and intertwine, however, gaining the knowledge of how vast European settlement and assimilation took place was eye opening. I was aware that colonialism affected Indigenous peoples in Australia but was not aware how the British colonized India, Africa, the Carribean, and so much more.

Banning Indigenous language use for Indigenous children in residential schools took away so much of their culture, ability to connect with their family, and their identities, that so many Indigenous languages are "going to sleep" (Adam, 2020). I was relieved to learn that there is significant effort going into revitalizing Indigenous language, organizations are creating programs to teach younger generations the language of their "Old One's" (referring to older Indigenous peoples who aren't necessarily Elders - from the interview with Russ Fayant) and expanding the need for immersion schools and culturally responsive classrooms.

I really appreciated when Russ Fayant talked about how excited the Old One's became when they shared and taught their language which was then shown in the Anoogeemin: Stories of Anishinaabemowin Reclamation video. Many of the teachers interviewed expressed how proud it made them feel to reclaim the language of their culture and regain some of their lost identity through rebuilding with new generations. Further, the UVic (2018) Youtube video of "Five ideas to support Indigenous language revitalization in Canada" provided a such a good starting point that I wanted to include it here:

1. Learn a greeting and response

2. Learn more Indigenous language words and phrases using apps

3. Learn names of mountains, lakes, rivers and towns in a local language

4. Watch a movie or TV show in an Indigenous language (Atanarjuat, Edge of the Knife)

5. Listen to artists who sing in Indigenous language (Tanya Tagaq, Iskwe, A Tribe Called Red)

Adam, B. A. (2020, August 31). Kahkiihtwaam ee-pee-kiiweehtataahk: Bringing it back home again. The story of how a critically endangered Indigenous language can be saved. Retrieved from http://canadiangeographic.ca/article/kahkiihtwaam-ee-pee-kiiweehtataahk-bringing-it-back-home-again

Keeseekoose Mentor Apprentice Project. (2019, October 30). Anoogeemin: Stories of Anishinaabemowin Reclamation [Youtube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mrVd6UlkI0&feature=youtu.be