(Ottawa, ON) – August 10, 2022 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is pleased to announce the release of episode 2 with Errol Kinistino. Errol is an adult Cree language learner, as well as an actor and singer from the Ochapowace Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. In this episode, Errol pays homage to the history of his community and the impact of the Residential School System on the transmission of the Cree and Michif languages in his family. Speaking to the damage caused from Indigenous languages and cultures being labelled pagan, Errol shares how really, the language speaks to the heart and is so beautiful and full of stories and lessons.

At 19 years old while travelling to Split Lake and Indian Lake, Erroll first heard the languages being spoken fluently. He had no previous knowledge that this was even possible and it made him realize the language was still alive. As a university student in the 1970’s, Errol took an evening language course and describes it as eye opening. He recalls at first being severely discouraged and angry. Angry that it was so difficult to learn and that he had lost the opportunity as a child to learn it. He knew he had to move past the anger and the discouragement to go forward. Errol describes his experiences travelling Northern Manitoba and how hearing the language there helped to deepen his learning. Errol says: “Speak it as much as you can and if you hear it, you’ll come alive. It’s in our blood, it’s in our DNA and we just have to revive it.” Old friends Gordon and Errol, discuss the significance of Indigenous languages and what small efforts in community spaces can do to immerse the people in their cultural legacy.

Voices from the Land is available on several Podcast platforms, to listen please visit:

Voices from the Land is an Indigenous Languages Revitalization Project funded by Canadian Heritage. Over the course of the winter months of 2022, host Gordon Spence spoke with Indigenous language teachers, adult learners and parents and caretakers of children learning their Indigenous language. From Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe); to Nehiyaw (Cree); the Michif language; Kanien’kéha (Mohawk); Onʌyoteˀa·ká (Oneida); and Dȁn k’e (Southern Tutchone), language learners, teachers and parents across Turtle Island share their insights and experiences. The goal of these 21 interviews was to gain a sense of the barriers and successes to learning one’s own language. We invite you to hear their voices and learn from their truth, as the languages have taught them so much.

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 22 years. LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and impacts on 7 generations of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) children, their families and communities from attending Residential and Day Schools and the subsequent Sixties Scoop. By fostering empathy and understanding, LHF encourages people to address discrimination and injustice and contributes to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples.

The LHF has more than 25 educational exhibitions that promote awareness of Indigenous history that are free to borrow and is working on making exhibitions available online. LHF also has curricula for K-12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, Workshops and Training, and Podcasts all aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Sixties Scoop, etc. in order to offer solutions on how to be an ally. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding so as to eliminate racism against Indigenous Peoples.