A new podcast out of the First Nations University of Canada is looking to revitalize Indigenous language and culture for the next seven generations.
This week, FNU along with their Indigenous Communications Arts program officially launched the pîkiskwĕwin (“language” in Cree) podcast project.
The podcast aims to protect and interpret Indigenous history, language, and culture looking forward to the next seven generations.
“We have joined an amazing circle of language teachers and language keepers,” said Shannon Avison, Project Supervisor and INCA Assistant Professor. “Some of our podcasters are fluent but some are language learners, so it’s exciting to give them training and technology to do interviews in their ancestral languages for the first time.”
According to the university, the Saulteaux, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, and Michif languages are the most endangered in the province.
“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 FNU President Jacqueline Ottmann in a media release. “With this podcast project, there’s an incredible opportunity to facilitate and support increased teaching, learning and sharing of our Indigenous languages.”
The project is being funded through Heritage Canada until March 2023, but university representatives say they are hoping to extend the funding further.
The podcast can be heard at pikiskwewin.ca or on several podcast platforms. The podcast is available in Michif, Cree, Dene, Dakota, and Saulteaux and features discussions on a variety of topics.
Podcast organizers also say they are interested in developing podcasts using the Nakota and Lakota languages.