Lang is land, land is lang

Question 1

Why are indigenous languages important

Answer 1

Name, clan, and locations matter!
Laws, governance, minobimaadiziwan (the good life), and g’giikendaaswinmin (our knowledge) embedded in language
Ecological encyclopedias & ancestral guides
E.g., Caolas bogadh na mara
Disembodiment of language  land exploitation

Langs: Anishinaabemovin & Gaidhlig; Positionality: lang. recognition; reclaiming lang

Question 2

What are the effects of colonization on indig languages?

Answer 2

near loss of original gov system, our teachings and our worldview
Erasing people via language
Key ideas: division in communities; self-gain; exclusion from important places(e.g. edu institutions); impediment to capitalism
Covert/overt colonial trauma & violence
Not in “post-colonial” era

Question 3

What are indig responsibilities and connections to land?

Answer 3

TEK(the ways of knowing & being) + reciprocity, connections & responsibility to lands. links btw indig lang and environmental knowledge well documented and necessary for sustainability
Symbiotic relationship on many levels + land responsibility & sustainable living
E.g., Dùthchas; Loch nam Breac Mora

Question 4

Why is land-based learning and full lang immersion important for indig lang and what are the challenges in implementing these strats?

Answer 4

-Anishinaabemowin is action-based, learning from act is paramount for undertsanding
-Full-language immersion aids in understanding activities  ease of language acquisition, avoiding reducing Indigenous worldviews, or loss of TEK
Challenges: cost & time
- Language & land are inseparable

Question 5

Where can we go from here?

Answer 5

• Revitalization: funding; regionally-based strategies
  E.g., Hən̓q̓əmin̓əm
• Local community-led & land-based initiatives
  -Validation at federal & provincial level
• increase space for Indigenous communities
  Addressing environment crisis