Learning Ojibwe: Language classes as a gateway to healing and identity
Boozhoo, a greeting, and miigwech, an expression of gratitude – these words are the foundation of the Ojibwe language. In a deliberate attempt to sever the ties that bound Indigenous people to their cultural roots, speaking Ojibwe or any other Indigenous language was forbidden in the residential school system, resulting in a loss of cultural identity that is still acutely felt in communities today.
Restoring Culture, Healing Hearts: The Akwesasne Kateri Prayer Circle
The Akwesasne Kateri Prayer Circle of the Kana:takon district of Akwesasne in Quebec consists of members of the St. Regis Mission Akwesasne Altar and Rosary Society, and the Akwesasne Mohawk Choir. The initiative's main goal is to revitalize the Kanienkeha Mohawk Language and culture through prayers, hymns, and traditional music
Embracing the Seventh Fire: A Journey of Cultural Revitalization
The Circle of Turtle Lodge, an organization based in Deacon, Ontario, at the head of Golden Lake in unceded Algonquin Territory, has been dedicated to reviving, promoting and restoring Traditional Anishinabe Culture in the Ottawa Valley since 1999.
Reviving Tradition: The Restoration of St. Pius X Church at Yuquot, BC
The village of Yuquot, the traditional home of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations, is located on Nootka Island, British Columbia. At the heart of the village stands St. Pius X Church, a symbol of cultural significance and community unity.
Cultural Reawakening at Peepaw Plains — “the place where life begins”
In the summer of 2023, the Kici-Anishnabek Kananakachiwewat Community Services Cooperative (Cote First Nations Elders' Council) of eastern Saskatchewan hosted the second annual Youth Culture Camp, about 100 km north of the Cote First Nation, on the aptly-named Peepaw Plains — elders say it means “the place where life begins.”
Transforming Parenting: Indigenous Family Wellness at Haven Family Connections
The injustices of the past have left a dark legacy of intergenerational trauma and loss of identity and opportunity for Indigenous families. Many face systemic barriers, poverty, and disadvantage, resulting in a disproportionate number of child apprehensions. Western-focused parenting courses often fail to provide the confidence and inspiration needed by at-risk parents, many of whom grew up in foster care without receiving their cultural teachings.
Cultivating Cultural Connections through Land-Based Learning
The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation initiated a project to enrich education at its St. Michael Community School. The goal was to create an engaging outdoor learning area, incorporating Indigenous practices, culture and art into the school's environment.
Renewing Cultural Harmony: Revitalizing Indigenous Language Through Music
In the heart of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation on the Bruce Peninsula, a remarkable initiative called the "Renewal of Spirit Through Music" project is breathing life back into the Indigenous language of the Neyaashinigmiing community.
