Much attention has been given to the importance of Indigenous languages and access to these languages by children in Ministry care, schools, and community. To understand the significance of learning one’s language, we must see and appreciate the purpose of language and its role in transferring cultural ideas, values, and beliefs.
Language is a means to translate thought. Like a canoe, it (language) carries ideas (perspectives) from one person to another. When beached, these ideas and perspectives structure thought, place value on things and recruit people to a cultural preference and discourse that leads to shaping community, ceremony and celebration.
Traditional elders, knowledge-keepers, myth-keepers, tribal philosophers and spiritual leaders all mentor family, clan, community and tribal members on a set of knowledge themes that have been transferred from one generation to the next for millennia. This knowledge gives life to a kind of mentorship that sets a course for the initiate or student to learn about tribal philosophy, spiritual practice, the meaning of family and the importance of community development.
The following Kwakwaka’wakw words, as an example, provide clues to our indigenous worldview, relational practice and indigenous innovation.
Awitnakula, pronounced A-Wheat-nah-que-lah, is a Kwakwaka’wakw word that means ‘to be one with heaven, air, land and sea and everything in it.’
Sanala, pronounced Sun-Nah-lah is a word that describes ‘as a person, we seek to be whole.’
Kwalayou pronounced Kwah-lah-you, which means ‘you are my reason for living’, a phrase used when speaking to children.
Nanwakola is pronounced None-wah-Koe-lah, which means ‘to discuss things with others to come to a right solution.’
Learning the language invites the child, youth and their family to ideas of cultural connection, relationship, and sharing and invites them to see the world as sacred.
At its core, teaching the language and transferring traditional knowledge develops confidence and cultural agility. To know where you come from is to have a sense of place, and to understand how to stand in the world and express oneself is to have a sense of belonging.
By working with traditional subject matter experts by drawing on our appreciation for the importance of culture, and cultural diversity, we can step into that canoe and beach opportunity and possibility for the family, cultural connection, and cultural continuity.
As Kwakwaka’wakw hereditary chiefs, we protect, maintain, and innovate our cultures. Our primary focus is the identity, culture, and rights of our families, namima, and tribe. In protecting our language, we protect ancient knowledge, metaphors and relationships.
