The Indigenous languages across Turtle Island bring an amazing abundance of diversity and richness to society. They are very different from European languages and provide us insight into a variety of knowledge and worldviews that cannot be expressed in different languages (Queen’s University, 2020). Oftentimes, it takes multiple english words to attempt translation of one Indigenous word and the accuracy of the meaning is usually lost or incomplete. Indigenous languages are important as they hold the accumulation of ancient knowledge accumulated over time. They explain history, knowledge, relationships, laws, roles, spirituality and our interconnection to the environment and worldly order (Daniel-Fiss, 2008). It is interesting to note that many of the Indigenous languages outdate many of the dominant languages across the world, such as English or Spanish. When we observe and start to study Indigenous languages, it can be found that the structures of Indigenous languages are quite different by their definitions, morphology, sounds, and pronunciation (Okimasis, 2018). 

 

In addition, Indigenous languages provide cultural knowledge, and as well as pride. Indigenous culture has a very important role in knowledge as it is a collective agreement between community members that helps determine beliefs, customs, values and sanctions (Little Bear, 2009). For example, many Indigenous nations place high value on Mother Earth, and our connection to her. This is reflected through land-based teachings. Land-based teachings are ecological in nature, about connection, well-being, the relationship, healing, and learning from place, and self-sustainment, and more. Indigenous stories and singing also provide another way of teaching cultural knowledge. Storytelling serves as a tool for teaching theory, proving moral direction, and a way to transmit culture and traditions (Brayboy, 2006). Please note, there are stories that can only be told certain times of the year and it is important to speak with an Indigneous mentor or community member to find out what they are. Some great stories to start with are: Story of Turtle Island or Sky Women. In relation to cultural pride, it is evident that when Indigenous children are exposed to their culture and language, especially in the classroom it positively affects their academic success. They come to understand and know that their culture and language is just as important and valuable as others, and they begin to develop a sense of appreciation (Morcome, 2014). 

 

Many Indigenous languages are facing extinction for a number of reasons. Foremost, the forces of colonization over hundreds of years have significantly reduced the numbers of Indigenous languages. This is largely due to the effects of residential schools in Canada. Many First Nations children were forced to attend residential schools and were shamed for speaking their language. Furthermore, the

 dominant languages, such as English, in conjunction with globalization, influence Indigenous speakers to learn dominant languages. Oftentimes even dissuading future generations from learning language that unlocks deep cultural understanding. For example, many Indigenous people feel that learning and speaking English will help them advance to get better jobs in society.

 

It is important to safeguard and revitalize our Indigenous languages for the reasons mentioned above, but also to remember that when we lose an Indigenous language, we also lose out on an irreplaceable human knowledge and window view of understanding our world. In closing, supporting our Indigenous languages also supports social justice and “holds the promise of creating a more critically democratic, 

linguistically, and culturally rich society for us all (McCarty, 2003, p. 160).