Pîkiskwêwin: Language Revitalization for the next Seven Generations

TSubmitted by the First Nations University of Canada his spring, the First Nations Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, President of University of Canada (FNUniv), FNUniv. “With this podcast project, through the Indigenous there’s an incredible opportunity to Communication Arts (INCA) facilitate and support increased teaching, program, launched the pîkiskwêwin learning and sharing of our Indigenous podcast project. pîkiskwêwin, which languages, not just in our home territory means “language” in Cree, aims to of Treaty 4 but in all territories across revitalize Indigenous languages and Turtle Island and the world.” culture for the next seven generations. It is a community-led initiative, unique from other podcasts in that they are produced in Indigenous languages, engaging language teachers, language keepers and language learners as podcasters.

“There is an urgent need to actively work toward Indigenous language preservation and revitalization—before we lose more of our Knowledge Keepers, fluent speakers and teachers,” said

The topics explored through the podcast are vast, ranging from Elders’ teachings, language loss and sovereignty to parenting, cooking and living in the bush, and everything in between, even romance. Even more, what’s so powerful about the pîkiskwêwin project is that it offers training and mentorship for all kinds of Indigenous storytellers. Those responsible for producing the podcast are learning their languages by working with fluent speakers while developing technical skills to record and produce stories in Indigenous languages. The use of new media and the potential for podcasts to be listened to anytime, anywhere (and over again) brings us a step closer to preserving, protecting and interpreting the history, language, culture and artistic heritage of First Nations, and supporting the pîkiskwêwin project’s mission to see Indigenous languages thrive.

The First Nations University of Canada was founded in 1976 and is a First Nations-owned post-secondary institution that bridges our ceremonies, knowledge keepers, languages and traditions to deliver high-quality postsecondary education.

The Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival (formerly Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto) took place June 9-12, 2022, at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The four-day event, themed Walking with Light, included four theatrically-produced runway shows with 25 designers, a marketplace with over 60 exhibitors, and academic-focused panels and hands-on workshops open to the public. Each day highlighted an incredible show curated by Wanda Nanibush (Anishinaabe and Indigenous Art Curator, Art Gallery of Ontario), Melanie Egan (Director, Craft & Design, Harbourfront Centre) and Sage Paul (Denesuline and Executive & Artistic Director, IFA).

Here are the details about each show and just a sample of the talented designers whose bold and innovative designs graced Toronto runways earlier this June.