(Ottawa, ON) – July 27, 2022 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is pleased to announce the launch of Season 2 of Voices from the Land. In episode 1, Gordon is joined by Medicine Song Woman – Brenda MacIntyre. Brenda is a Juno award winning singer, mentor, public speaker, mother and adult learner of both the Cree and Ojibwe languages.

As an adult language learner, Brenda imparts important considerations to those who are just beginning to learn their Indigenous language. Brenda shares: “Our languages connect us to our blood memory, our Ancestors, the land and who we are. Finding my voice in the Cree and Ojibwe languages brings me home.” Through the learning process, it is so important to have patience with oneself and Brenda draws the connections she sees to the benefits of community building through traditional language learning.  Brenda hopes of going to a language and culture camp, to further her language learning in the context of being on the land. As a musician, learning to speak Cree and Ojibwe through songs has been a successful method for language retention and has also inspired her to incorporate it into her music. Though gathering restrictions due to the pandemic have presented challenges, online learning such as Cree Chatter Hour have been vital spaces to learn and practice with others. In this interview, Brenda outlines her path to language reclamation and how it has deepened her connection to herself and community.

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.