The Legacy of Hope Foundation Presents – Voices from the Land Season 2 Episode 12 with Russel Iron

(Ottawa, ON) – January 25, 2023 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is pleased to announce the release of episode 12 with Cree speaker and parent, Russel Iron. Russel is from Canoe Lake Cree First Nation. Russel has taught his children the language, and some of them are now teachers themselves. He shares the strategies that helped him teach his children the language and his path in education.

Russel shares how he learned the language from his grandparents and became fluent. He shares: “My grandpa used to say, the Cree language is the one that shows you how to live, how to respect each other and how to be respectful.” He had dreams of becoming a language teacher, but the format and structure of language learning, including the Cree Syllabics written form, made it very difficult. He shares how for the young today, it would be a dream to see them having lessons predominantly in their traditional language, until Grade 3 or 4. He shares that English will come, and so starting with Cree would help ensure they had a base knowledge, and help to strengthen the language in their community. He shares that land-based learning of the language helps to transmit the language faster than in the classroom. One of the obstacles he sees, is the fear new learners have of being laughed at when first learning to speak the language and how it is important to have supportive environments to facilitate the language learning experience.

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 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.

Pour les demandes médiatiques, contactez :
Teresa Edwards, B.A., LL.B./J.D.
Directrice générale et conseillère juridique interne
Fondation autochtone de l’espoir
Courriel : tedwards@legacyofhope.ca Tél. : 613 237-4806, poste 303 Courriel : tedwards@legacyofhope.ca