Words and Culture

One of the first things you see when you arrive in Alert Bay, B.C., is Andrea Cranmer’s shop Culture Shock. It is a gathering place, to learn and celebrate the kwakwaka’wawk and a place to listen to stories from community members. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

In the premiere episode of the Kwakwaka’wakw episodes, host Suzette Amaya takes us to Alert Bay, B.C., to introduce us to language teacher and cultural knowledge keeper Pewi Alfred. Pewi shares her language journey and teaches Suzette what some of their dances mean.  Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

In this final Gitxsan episode, host Shaneen Robinson sits down with her mother, Catherine Robinson, to discuss intergenerational language learning within their own family. Catherine teaches her grandson to count.  Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Robert Fritzche is a Sixties Scoop adoptee. He was raised outside of the culture and the language. But Robert shares with host Shaneen Robinson, you can go home again. This incredible storyteller shares his journey from a three year old boy to working and living with the Gitxsan.  Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Shaneen Robinson visits with her Aunt Ardythe Wilson to learn how their clans come through the mother line. Women have always played an integral role in Gitxsan culture. They share how every person’s strengths are different and are utilized within their house groups according to their strengths. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

In this episode, Gitxsan host Shaneen Robinson talks with Hereditary Chief Don Ryan (Hanamuuxw) about how the translation of the Gitxsan language into English can cause confusion and the loss of knowledge. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

In the Gitxsan culture, house groups or wilps help structure their communities and laws. Host Shaneen Robinson talks with her auntie, Darlene Howard about the importance of following their traditions.  Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Less than three per cent of Gitxsan know their language. Host Shaneen Robinson is Gitxsan on her mother’s side and Cree on her father’s side. Dr. Jane M. Smith joins Shaneen to share tips and tricks on learning the language as both an adult and child, something Shaneen as a mom can appreciate. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

In this final episode on the Blackfoot language, host Eugene Brave Rock sits with language expert and Elder Rod Scout as he shares his philosophy on language, world views, and what it means to be Blackfoot. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-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 Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca