Ktunaxa, Michif language courses offered

By Steve Hubrecht

Local nonprofits Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) and the Outdoor Learning School and Store are offering two Indigenous language courses this spring.

?akisq’nuk elder Alfred Joseph, supported by Ktunaxa educator Mara Nelson, will teach a foundational course in Ktunaxa language, and Métis elders Marie Schoenthal and Harriet Oaks St. Pierre, supported by Métis educator Amy Cross, will teach an introductory course in Southern Michif (a traditional Métis language spoken across western Canada).

The classes are open to everyone and are conducted over Zoom. The Ktunaxa language course runs for eight weeks on Monday evenings at 7 p.m., through April and May.

The Southern Michif language course runs for six weeks, also on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. from late April through to mid-June.

CBEEN and Outdoor Learnings School and Store director of Indigenous learning Jenna Jasek outlined to the Pioneer that the courses offer benefits for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants alike.

The goal of the courses is not necessarily achieving perfect fluency “but rather to provide a spark—an introduction that inspires and encourages further engagement with the language and broader revitalization efforts. We aim to create a welcoming space where learners can begin their journey, build connections, and develop a foundation for future learning opportunities,” explained Jasek. “Non-Indigenous participants can take steps towards reconciliation by participating in language courses like these as a way to uplift language revitalization and deepen their own understanding of local places.”

Jasek outlined that Indigenous languages contain connections to lands, ancestors, traditions, and contain ecological knowledge crucial for sustainable living, medicinal practices, and traditional storytelling, enriching collective wisdom.

“By supporting Indigenous language revitalization efforts, we not only preserve linguistic diversity but also uphold Indigenous Peoples’ fundamental rights to their languages and cultures,” said Jasek.

A member of the Shuswap Band who also has Ktunaxa heritage, Jasek is currently learning Secwepemctsin (the traditional language of the Shuswap Band) and is working towards her Secwepemctsin language certificate. She has found it an enriching experience.

“The original languages of the valley provide deep insights into the landscapes and local ecosystems. They reflect our cultures and highlight our understanding of the land’s importance as well as our relationship with its inhabitants—the ones that fly, the four-legged, those that swim, the insects, and the plants that grow here,” said Jasek.

She added that efforts are underway to start a Secwepemctsin language course open to the general public in the near future, with support from the Shuswap Nation Council, the Shuswap Band, and local elders and teachers.

To register for the classes or learn more visit outdoorlearning.com/event/.