Welcome to the page of the inaugural session of the J-series!
Through personal storytelling and fact sharing, Simon Bird (Rock Cree) and Charlotte Ross (Woodland Cree) welcome you to the world of the Cree - a history filled with strength, adversity, and innovation. Each presenter will share their unique insights and journeys into Indigenous Language Revitalization that have profoundly impacted their understanding of the importance of protecting and sharing our language.
Both presenters grew up in northern Saskatchewan in different communities, were raised in the Cree language, on the land, and learned values from their family members to sustain them throughout the many challenges they would face. They are lifelong learners and pursued undergraduate and graduate degrees through the University of Saskatchewan in the areas of Education, Indigenous Studies, Adult/Continuing Education, and Northern Governance.
Watch this presentation on how Indigenous worldviews alter how we see our place and contributions to the world at large through respect, reciprocity, and responsibility for our actions. To truly have reconciliation, one must be willing to undergo self-reflection to have a better understanding of our own lived experience within the context of a greater society. Synergy is the key to working together to create a brighter and better future for the next seven generations.
About the Speakers
Land Acknowledgement
We give thanks to Maria Campbell, Priscilla Campeau, and Ivy Lalonde of the Nukskahtowin Centre for sharing recipes, conversation, and the poetry of Louise Halfe (Sky Dancer). We are grateful for the vision, ethics, and actions outlined in the Nukskahtowin Plan which states: "As part of our ongoing commitment to Indigenous people in the land known as Canada and in response to the Calls to Actions of the TRC and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, we strive to move Indigenous Knowledge into the mainstream university culture as a way of building a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people."
We acknowledge the land upon which many members of the Athabasca University community live are home to 48 First Nations. The land known as Alberta, Canada is covered by treaties 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10, traditional territories of Dene (Den-ay), Saulteaux (Soh-toe), Nakota Sioux (Na-ko-ta Soo), Kainai (Kye-nye), Piikani (Peeka-nee), Siksika (Sik-si-ka), Tsuu T’ina (Soot-ina), Nehiyaw (NAY-HEE-YOW), Métis (MAY-TEA), Anishinaabe (AH-NISH-IN-AH-BAY), Nakota Isga (NA-KOH-TAH EE-SKA). Treaties are binding agreements between sovereign states that outline the obligations we all have to the treaty areas. We commit to learning about and enacting our obligations to the lands and to Indigenous peoples where we live.