Words and Culture
Words and Culture weaves conversations with Indigenous language and knowledge keepers together with music by Indigenous artists. The team creating this original content is made up exclusively of Indigenous producers, hosts and guests.
Episodes
77 episodes
Aunties' Language Lessons
Leela Gilday visits with her online language teachers - Marie Speakman and Cathy Modeste-Short. They share stories of their childhood, how they retained their language growing up on the land, and how they are using technology to share it with t...
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Songs of the Dene
Dene and northern legend Johnny Landry joins Leela Gilday to talk about the importance of singing in the language, teaching the youth Dene language, and why his music is reflective of Dene laws.
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Evolution of a Language
Language expert and music lover Paul Andrew joins host Leela Gilday to share stories and music of growing up Dene, and how he has helped advance the language by creating new words as our world evolves.
My Dene Kǝdǝ́ Mentor
In this first episode of the Dene language, host Leela Gilday talks with her mentor and cousin Gloria Gaudet. They share laughter, song, and caribou stew, as Leela embarks on her language learning journey.
The Reconciliation of Language
In this final episode of the Kwakwaka’wakw series, Suzette sits down with Hereditary Chief Robert Joseph who knowledge shares a wealth of information, storytelling, and language. Along with his belief of where it all begins – with love.
Language is Intergenerational Healing
In this episode, Suzette Amaya visits with Yola Ferrin Willie who shares her language journey of healing and how she is passing Kwak’wala on to her children and community while still learning herself.
Remembering Through Kwak’wala
Elder Margaret Wilson is a retired nurse, an author, and holds a PhD in education from the University of British Columbia. She shares how she lived a traditional life with her grandparents until she was five, then was forced into residential sc...
The Tragedy of Kwak’wala
Elder Julia Nelson is one of the oldest language speakers of Kwak’wala at 95 years old. She is a first language speaker, she is fluent, she has taught the language for decades. The tragedy is her 75 descendants are not fluent. Julia shares her ...
Hutłilala - to listen
One of the first things you see when you arrive in Alert Bay, B.C., is Andrea Cranmer’s shop Culture Shock. It is a gathering place, to learn and celebrate the kwakwaka’wawk and a place to listen to stories from community members.
Dancing Up a Culture
In the premiere episode of the Kwakwaka’wakw episodes, host Suzette Amaya takes us to Alert Bay, B.C., to introduce us to language teacher and cultural knowledge keeper Pewi Alfred. Pewi shares her language journey and teaches Suzette what some...
hogyaxai'yt noxi'y (I am like my mother)
In this final Gitxsan episode, host Shaneen Robinson sits down with her mother, Catherine Robinson, to discuss intergenerational language learning within their own family. Catherine teaches her grandson to count.
Finding Your Way Home
Robert Fritzche is a Sixties Scoop adoptee. He was raised outside of the culture and the language. But Robert shares with host Shaneen Robinson, you can go home again. This incredible storyteller shares his journey from a three year old boy to ...
GItxsan are a Matrilineal People
Shaneen Robinson visits with her Aunt Ardythe Wilson to learn how their clans come through the mother line. Women have always played an integral role in Gitxsan culture. They share how every person’s strengths are different and are utilized wit...
Lost in Translation
In this episode, Gitxsan host Shaneen Robinson talks with Hereditary Chief Don Ryan (Hanamuuxw) about how the translation of the Gitxsan language into English can cause confusion and the loss of knowledge.
The Importance of Tradition
In the Gitxsan culture, house groups or wilps help structure their communities and laws. Host Shaneen Robinson talks with her auntie, Darlene Howard about the importance of following their traditions.
Learning an Endangered Language
Less than three per cent of Gitxsan know their language. Host Shaneen Robinson is Gitxsan on her mother’s side and Cree on her father’s side. Dr. Jane M. Smith joins Shaneen to share tips and tricks on learning the language as both an adult and...
Listen With Your Spirit
In this final episode on the Blackfoot language, host Eugene Brave Rock sits with language expert and Elder Rod Scout as he shares his philosophy on language, world views, and what it means to be Blackfoot.
The One Called Mountain Eagle
Elder Sheldon First Rider shares his language journey. From hiding his language in residential school, to teaching language learners how to write Blackfoot in syllabics, Sheldon First Rider has seen the rise and fall of the language, and is hel...
The Laughter of Language
Host Eugene Brave Rock visits with Elder Alvine Eaglespeaker who shares her story of helping her husband, Spike Eaglespeaker, to learn the Blackfoot language. And it might not be what you expect. Many mistakes were made and a lot of laughter is...
The Balance of Being Blackfoot
Elder Spike Eaglespeaker shares his life experiences of growing up and growing into traditional teachings and learning the language. Eugene Brave Rock visits Spike, who opens his home and heart to Eugene.
My First Blackfeet Name
Jesse DesRosier has been a Blackfeet language teacher at the Piegan Institute's Cuts Wood School in Browning, Montana. He remembers the first name he was given by his grandmother. Jesse shares with host Eugene Brave Rock the importance...
The Sobering Realization of Blackfoot Language
Sterling Cryinghead is a language teacher, although he doesn’t like to think of himself as one. Sterling shares his journey of language sharing with host Eugene Brave Rock and how a group of learners were so eager for language, they wanted c...
Being Michif is a Bonus!
Host Shelagh Rogers chats with Elder Norman Fleury about the origins of Michif and reveals how her own reconnection journey is continuing.
Michif is Still Standing
In this episode of the Michif series, host Shelagh Rogers visits with Danielle Lucier and her son Hugo. Hugo shares why it’s important to him to learn Michif and embrace the Métis culture through beadwork. And how Elton John is helping him on h...
