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Métis people in Canada have new reasons to be optimistic their traditional Michif language will be preserved for future generations.
On Wednesday, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) and Canadian Geographic announced a partnership and the launch of a multi-faceted educational initiative designed to get more people speaking the traditional language.
“Identity, language and culture are important to our Métis citizens,” MN-S president Glen McCallum said in a release.
“When I go to my hometown, I know I belong because I can hear my own language and I can be me. When we know our language, we shall never forget who we are as Métis.”
MN-S pointed to Statistics Canada numbers that show fewer than 650 people living in Canada speak the Michif language, a mix of Cree and French.
At the launch event, MN-S Minister of Heritage and Language Sherry Soll told the story of growing up learning to trap and skin animals, but without knowing her traditional Michif language.
She said her hope for the program is that youth are afforded the opportunity she never had.
“I get asked all the time, ‘You don’t speak the language so why do you think you’re good for this position?’ My answer: ‘Because I know what it’s like not to have it,’ ” Stoll said.
Canadian Geographic chief executive officer Gilles Gagnier said the magazine and its online reach make it an ideal fit to raise public awareness about Michif language and culture.
“We talked about the Michif word of the day,” Gagnier said. “We’re going to try and get Canadians thinking about the language and culture through something as simple of that.”
The publication will also leverage its vast education network to create classroom materials for teachers. Gagnier confirmed a one-hour documentary is also in the works.
“One of the enduring parts of this program, a legacy piece, will be all of the education pieces we create,” Gagnier said. “Because presumably tens of thousands of kids will learn from these programs over the years.”