Words and Culture

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

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

Singer/songwriter Adrian Sutherland is from the remote community of Attawapiskat First Nation. Adrian talks about what it is like for him to write and sing in his language of Omushkegowuk Cree. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Ron and Heidi Cook are father and daughter who are in the process of reclaiming their Cree language. Heidi wasn’t taught the language growing up, Ron discusses why. Heidi also shares her concerns of being the first Chief of her reserve who is not fluent. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Take a trip to Michael Hutchinson’s home reserve and visit with his Auntie Stella and her “chapan” while they bake bannock together and Michael learns more about this history of Misipawistik Cree Nation. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Host Michael Hutchinson is a member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation. He sits down with the Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Garrison Settee, to talk about the different Cree dialects. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Semiah Smith is an up-and-coming musician who blends tradition and language into her music. She shares her creative process. Devery Jacobs, star of the hit show Reservation Dogs and Marvel’s What If…Kahhori Reshaped the World? Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Twenty-three-year-old Katsenhaienton shares his journey as a language speaker and teacher and the importance of patience when it comes to speaking and learning.  Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Host January Rogers pays a visit to a Cayuga Games Night where people get together and practice the language by socializing and playing board and trivia games. Guest Shelby Bomberry shares how he became a Long House speaker. Also features an interview with Michael Hill. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Music educator Kristi Grace shares her love of music and language on her new album “Sing it Mohawk with Yago.” Host January Rogers learns some simple phrases from Kristi’s album of children’s song and you will too! Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Cayuga language learners and speakers produce and host a radio show called “We are Talking” on Six Nations of the Grand River. The hosts practice the Cayuga language on air. So as a listener, it feels like you are being invited into a language nest of active learners. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca

Host January Rogers (Mohawk/Tuscarora) is joined by language keeper Amos Key Jr.  who shares his language journey of learning Oneida, instead of his own language of Mohawk.  This episode features music by Shawnee Kish. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canada wordsandculture.ca crfc-fcrc.ca