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The Indigenous Languages Series is a unique project presented by U Multicultural, focused on education for the indigenous languages of Cree, Ojibwe and Inuktitut, through stories, culture and traditions. The episodes created with six Indigenous speakers – Michael Kusugak, Robert Maytwayashing, Isabel Scribe, Lisa Muswagon, Henry Pitawanakwat, Cameron Robertson –  will be featured on U Multicultural’s online platforms, Inuit Broadcasting Corporation, First Peoples Radio Inc., and Shaw Spotlight. The project is funded by The Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage and distributed across Canada with help from the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation and First Peoples Radio Inc.

CREE LANGUAGE

Learn the basics of Cree with Lisa Muswagon, Isabel Scribe and Cameron Robertson

OJIBWE LANGUAGE

Learn about the Ojibwe language and culture with Robert Maytwayashing and Henry Pitawanakwat

INUKTITUT LANGUAGE

Explore the Inuktitut language and Inuit culture with Michael Kusugak

Meet our indigenous speakers

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ROBERT MAYTWAYASHING

Robert is Anishinaabe, raised in his people on the Lake Manitoba First Nation located in the Interlake Region of Manitoba. Robert is a pipe carrier, sweat lodge-keeper and attends the annual ceremony of Sundance. Robert has also hosted Warrior lodges and Eagle dances, to name a few. Over the years, Robert has served his Lake Manitoba First Nation community as both a Council member and Chief. Robert was also a Health Director in two First Nation communities and the Senior Health Policy Analyst for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

 

OJIBWE LANGUAGE

Join Robert Maytwayashing and learn more about Ojibwe language and culture.

ISABEL SCRIBE AND LISA MUSWAGON

Isabel Scribe is a member of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation, also known as Cross Lake in Northern Manitoba. Isabel is a fluent speaker in the Swampy Cree language. Lisa grew up in northern Manitoba, the interlake and Winnipeg. Isabel and Charles, their children in ceremonies and with traditions. Isabel provides culturally responsive counseling, therapy, and indigenous ceremonies, and empowerment through storytelling, workshops, sharing circles, and much more.

Lisa Muswagon is a member of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation, also known as Cross Lake in Northern Manitoba. She is Nakoda Cree. Lisa grew up in northern Manitoba, the Interlake, and Winnipeg. Her parents Isabel and Charles raised Lisa and her siblings in ceremonies and with traditions. She picked up the hand drum to pass the legacy of storytelling. An intergenerational survivor, Lisa also attended day school at Jack River School and experienced the Residential School System’s effects. She is on the path of breaking cycles such as learning to speak Cree to pass on to the children and grandchildren.

CREE LANGUAGE

Learn the basics of the Cree language with Isabel Scribe and Lisa Muswagon.

MICHAEL KUSUGAK

Michael Kusugak grew up in Repulse Bay, NWT (now Nunavut). During his childhood, his family travelled by dog sled, living a traditional Inuit lifestyle. He is the author of twelve children’s books, including The Littlest Sled Dog, The Curse of the Shaman, T is for Territories, Northern Lights: The Soccer Trails, winner of the Ruth Schwartz Award; Hide and Seek; My Arctic 1, 2, 3; and Baseball Bats for Christmas; and was co-writer of A Promise Is a Promise (with Robert Munsch). Michael Kusugak lives in Manitoba and spends most summers in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.

INUKTITUT LANGUAGE

Explore the Inuktitut language and Inuit culture with Michael Kusugak.

HENRY PITAWANAKWAT

Henry Pitawanakwat is with the Three Fires Confederacy from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. He is very fluent in all dialects, which may also include Chippewa and Algonquin. With over 40 years of research experience, Henry has worked as an archaeologist,  an internship at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, now Museum of History, and is a member of translators for the Translation Bureau Government of Canada. He was one of the Translators at the Federal Election Debate in 2019. Henry enjoys working with the language and is also qualified to teach the language, which is in danger of becoming extinct.

OJIBWE LANGUAGE

Learn the basics of Ojibwe language and its dialects with Henry Pitawanakwat.

CAMERON ROBERTSON

Cameron Robertson is a strong Cree speaker who values all indigenous languages. His goals are to teach his culture’s words and language through the human spirit of storytelling, through the approach of listening and learn. “I truly have changed from a life of shambles. As a Cree storyteller I have so much to tell and not enough to listen nor understand. So, greatly I want to teach my ininemowin (native language, Cree) proudly to whoever wants to learn my now dying language.”

CREE LANGUAGE

Learn of born languages and the importance of language to indigenous peoples from Cree speaker Cameron Robertson.

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