CULTURE AND LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION

Language Classes at Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation

Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation, located at the head of tide of the Miramichi River in New Brunswick, is taking steps to address the steady decline in Mi’kmaq language speakers.

The majority of youth in the community struggle with basic greetings and conversations in Mi’kmaq, prompting the Nation to begin offering language classes for youth and other learners.

The classes, which will be offered both online and in-person, include fully immersive summer outdoor sessions. Elders and spiritual leaders will lead the teachings, focusing not only on the language itself but on Indigenous spirituality and culture. The goal is to create a welcoming environment for youth and other community members to reconnect with their linguistic and cultural roots.

A grant from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) will support this initiative, providing funding to run these classes for a full year. The grant will cover expenses such as teacher honorariums, facility rentals, technology support, and all necessary class supplies.

These classes represent a significant effort to reclaim the Mi’kmaq language and ensure that it remains a living part of the community’s everyday life. By engaging Elders and spiritual leaders, the Nation is also creating a bridge between generations, allowing traditional knowledge and cultural practices to be passed down to the youth.

Diocese of Saint John

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