Federal funding for Indigenous culture, language programs must be sustainable, say advocates [Video]

Belinda kakiyosēw Daniels says it’s good to be home.

The University of Victoria Indigenous education professor was back on Treaty 6 territory in Saskatchewan this week. Daniels and others launched a mentorship program in her home community, Sturgeon Lake First Nation, located approximately 150 kilometres north of Saskatoon.

Speakers of the Cree language, or nēhiyawewin, were paired with other adults in the community who want to reclaim the culture of their ancestors.

It’s one of many cultural revival programs underway at Sturgeon Lake.

Daniels said that things are slowly changing for the better.

“I feel elevated. I feel inspired,” she said. “All the language work that’s happening right across the country.”

WATCH| This mentorship program in Sturgeon Lake First Nation is working to grow the nēhiyawewin language: …