(Ottawa, ON) – October 19, 2022 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is pleased to announce the release of episode 7 with Lydia Sunchild. Lydia is an adult language learner, daughter of a Cree language teacher as well as the mother of a child learning Cree. Lydia is from Thunderchild First Nation, Saskatchewan in Treaty 6 Territory and has a Master of Education Administration.

When speaking of successful language retention and integration, Lydia expresses how important it is for students to attend culturally specific events and for First Nations schools to become a part of traditional ceremonies, like Pow Wows and by incorporating the language into graduation ceremonies. She shares: “Having those hands-on opportunities…to participate when it comes to language and connecting it to ceremony… you’re immersed in it and that for me is what I need to learn Cree, there’s almost nothing like it.” Involving and inviting Elders to classrooms, she shares are steps that schools can take that truly creates an experience that benefits all. Lydia speaks about the lack of resources for language teachers, and how the need to focus on fundraising can make it really hard to get language programs running. As a parent, Lydia sees the importance of imparting the language to her daughter. She is so grateful and so proud of her daughter’s use of the language, as well as the values of respect and connection that come through it.

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.