Join us for 6 interactive 90-minute online lessons on Monday evenings:
Your contribution
Southern Michif is a traditional language of the Métis people. It is also known as Michif, Michif Cree, Heritage Michif, aan Cree, and aañ Crii. Its origins are in the Red River Valley area in Manitoba, Canada and this language is now applicable across the southern parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and the northern parts of North Dakota and Montana.
Participants will have the opportunity to delve into the rich Métis heritage and acquire fundamental Michif language skills. Led by a traditional Michif speaker Marie Schoenthal, this workshop promises an immersive experience that celebrates and preserves Métis culture.
Understanding and honouring Indigenous languages is foundational to connecting with the local Land, and taking steps towards Truth and Reconciliation. If you are a non-Indigenous language learner, please review these reflections on what it means to be a non-Indigenous learner in an Indigenous language learning course.
You can also access excellent Métis Books & Resources, with 100% of proceeds going back to non-profit initiatives like this!
Koohkoom Marie was raised in the close-knit road allowance community of Crooked Lake, Saskatchewan, surrounded by 2 brothers and 4 sisters. Fluent in Michif, she has played a pivotal role in the Métis community in Medicine Hat and Calgary, dedicating herself to teaching Michif, jigging, and sharing cultural practices with fellow community members. Currently residing in Calgary, Marie is a proud mother of 3, grandmother of 4, and great-grandmother of 5. Her joys in life include spending time with her family, relishing old-time fiddle music, engaging in the lively art of jigging, and indulging in hearty laughter.
Amy, a proud Métis woman, seamlessly weaves her cultural heritage into every aspect of her life. With over 30 years of experience in the Indigenous field, her heart lies with the Métis people and their rich culture. Amy draws inspiration from revered mentors like Marie Schoenthal and Jeannette Hansen, both esteemed Métis Elders with national recognition. Beyond her professional pursuits, Amy connects with nature, infusing her love for the environment into her artistic endeavors. Currently residing in Cranbrook, BC, Amy is married with two children. Her latest passion is pebble art, culminating in the establishment of her business, “Pebble Art from Nature.”
Linguistically, it is considered quite unique among the world’s contact languages and is often described – somewhat simplistically – as a blend of French nouns and Cree verbs. The French element of Heritage Michif comes from Michif French, with the Algonquian element coming from dialects of Cree and Western Ojibwe (Saulteaux). That said, Heritage Michif has solidified into its own language: it contains elements from its source languages, but also has characteristics that are unique to it alone. A good example of this is the way in which some French elements are “sandwiched” in Cree grammar, like the French noun le vieux (‘old man’) becoming a verb in phrases like ni maachi li vyeu-iwin (‘I am getting old’).
Indigenous knowledge and perspectives are foundational to outdoor learning and learning from the land, and that learning that language of the local land is a critical part of deepening knowledge and understanding. Non-Indigenous participants can take steps towards reconciliation by participating in language courses like these as a way to uplift language revitalization and deepen their own understanding of local place.
Indigenous languages carry connections to lands, ancestors, traditions, and contain ecological knowledge crucial for sustainable living, medicinal practices, and traditional storytelling, enriching our collective wisdom. By supporting Indigenous language revitalization efforts, we not only preserve linguistic diversity but also uphold Indigenous Peoples’ fundamental rights to their languages and cultures.