(Ottawa, ON) – April 5, 2023 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is pleased to announce the release of episode 17, featuring Bonnie Hill. Bonnie is an Oneida language teacher of the Wolf Clan and is a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames. In this episode, you will hear Bonnie speak of strategies that she has found successful for her students’ learning and their language retention, as well as ways to foster language revitalization beyond her own community.

In her classroom, Bonnie has developed the 5-3-1 method which she explains is a great tool for encouraging language repetition and retention while also introducing the root word method.  She speaks of the need for more local Indigenous language teachers, and how the current state of affairs places a lot of responsibility on teachers’ time and resources outside of the classroom. Bonnie shares how within the Ontario education system, the Native as a Second Language Program allows for the hiring of Indigenous language teachers for Grades 4-8 (if there is a high concentration of a specific Indigenous language group). Outside her classroom, Bonnie and her friend have created an Oneida language challenge on Facebook, which takes place every February and is a space to unite and engage learners wherever they may be. Where there is an opportunity to learn, there are people who are willing and eager, no matter what age. Of students being able to access the language outside of the classroom, Bonnie shares: “It’s about creating spaces where we use the native language in and creating real life experiences.. and what I find is when they do have real life situations.. they flourish.”

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 and they want to share.

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