(Ottawa, ON) – February 9, 2023- The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is pleased to announce the release of episode 13 with Felicia Huff. Felicia is a parent from The Chippewa of the Thames First Nation (COTTFN) and is an education trustee for her community. From a parent’s perspective, Felicia shares what has helped her children learn Ojibwe and what more could be done to support their learning.

Sharing important insight, Felicia explains how a lack of language teacher availability has made it a challenge for students to go beyond basic learning. Lack of funding towards education has been a barrier in the community. CTTFN once had a Residential School within their First Nation, which made the speaking and transmission of the Ojibwe language very difficult. CTTFN took over jurisdiction of their education system in the 1980’s and adopted provincial teaching methods and standards. Felicia shares that a comprehensive community plan was communicated about 10 years ago, and language revitalization was identified as a priority to self-identity and self-development. But how exactly is language revitalization made possible, and what’s more, a success in a community? Felicia shares: “If we’re being honest about language revitalization, it absolutely has to color every aspect of our lives. We can’t just expect our babies and our youth to carry this heavy load, because it’s a lot of work. ” CTTFN has stated that what French counterparts receive should be a standard for ‘adequate funding’ and a jumping off point for negotiating with federal representatives. Hearing from Felicia’s unique perspective as an education trustee and parent to children learning their language in school, helps to understand the larger scale of the system.

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 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.

For media inquiries:
Teresa Edwards, B.A. JD.
Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel
Legacy of Hope Foundation
Phone: 613-237-4806 Ext. 303 info@legacyofhope.ca