Latest news with #CreeLanguage
CBC
27-05-2025
- General
- CBC
87-year-old Cree woman graduates from University of Saskatchewan
Louise Fraser has become the oldest person ever to graduate from the University of Saskatchewan's Indian Teacher Education Program. She hopes to teach Cree language after completing the four-year program.
CBC
26-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Meet the oldest grad from the U of S's Indian Teacher Education Program
Louise Fraser achieved a long-time goal of receiving a teaching degree and plans to fulfill her dream of educating youth on the Cree language.
CBC
25-05-2025
- General
- CBC
'Keep thinking about the goal': 87-year-old U of Sask. grad hopes to help revitalize Cree language
Social Sharing When Louise Fraser walked across the stage on Saturday afternoon at Saskatoon's Prairieland Park, she felt happy to achieve a goal she worked so hard for. She wasn't just receiving a degree, she said — she was reclaiming something that was almost taken from her as a child. "When I was a child, I was fluent in the Cree language, because I heard it all the time at home from my family. But when I went to residential school, I was not able to use my language anymore," Fraser said. At 87 years old, Fraser is the oldest graduate in the history of the University of Saskatchewan's Indian Teacher Education Program, a four-year education program designed for First Nations students who want to get a bachelor of education degree. On Saturday, she received her degree, along with 38 others in front of family, friends and supporters. Fraser's Cree name, wîhkaskwa iskwéw, means "Sweetgrass Woman." She's a member of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, west of Prince Albert, and was taken from her family and sent to residential school in Manitoba when she was eight years old. "Being at residential school, losing my identity, my language and my culture — we had to leave it behind," she said. "We couldn't follow our culture anymore." Being forced to abandon her culture planted the seeds for a lifetime of learning and reclamation. She raised four children and got diplomas and a master's degree, and worked in different fields, from libraries to mental health. But there was more Fraser wanted to do. She applied to the University of Saskatchewan teacher education program in 2023, following in the footsteps of her granddaughter, who graduated from the same program in 2018. Although she initially felt out of place surrounded by new technology and younger classmates, she soon found strength and community, she said. The program is centred around Indigenous culture, language and teacher training — something Fraser said is essential for empowerment of the younger generations. "I heard about many people not speaking our languages anymore. Parents aren't speaking the language to their children. I thought going back to school would be a way of getting it back," Fraser said. When asked what advice she would give to someone who thinks it's too late to go back to school, Fraser didn't hesitate. "Figure out what you want to do, make plans to make it happen…. Just keep thinking about the goal," she said. As for what's next, Fraser says she plans to spend her time teaching Cree and sharing her story in schools and communities.
CBC
23-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Learning Cree helps this dental hygienist connect with and treat her patients
A non-Indigenous dental hygienist in the northern Quebec community of Waskaganish is learning Cree in an effort to communicate more effectively with the people she serves. For the past six years, Camille Poirier has been filling her notebook with Cree words, sentences, and phrases. "I think that makes a difference because they know that you're there for many reasons, not only for work, but also to connect," said Poirier, who is originally from the Gatineau, Que. and Rockland, Ont. area. Poirier began working in Waskaganish after graduating from university. What was intended to be a temporary position became a new home for Poirier and her family. "I wanted to connect more with the patient like, and I find that with the language you can connect with the person because they understand you better," said Poirier. At the daycare, Poirier found that most children spoke Cree and the same with her teenage patients, leaving her to often rely on translation. "When I asked them a question in English, they always asked their parents in Cree. So I was like, I want to ask them so they can answer me," she said. Communication is not the only goal Poirier had. "So I was like, OK, how could I make them have more trust in me?" said Poirier. "So I started to learn a few key words. First I learned apaa st'uin so to open their mouth, chipaah st'uin, close your mouth and I would say akaawii aahchii, dont move, or brushoo chiitihpit anchiish, did you brush your teeth today?" Learning Cree also helped her connect with those around her. "The staff at the dental clinic were speaking together, laughing, and I wanted to laugh with them, I wanted to know what they were saying," said Poirier. Having learned Cree, Poirier can now understand and participate in her colleagues' conversations and laughter. "So now I'm always saying them. 'Be careful. I understand'," she said. Poirier is not the only one learning to speak Cree, her two-year-old daughter is picking up the language with her peers in daycare. "She speaks to me like ' aashtam, aashtam mommy' and she say ' namui ' when I ask her to do something," said Poirier. Aashtam means come here, which contrasts with the toddler's current favorite word, namui, which means no. Her toddler now recites her daycare snack time prayer at home before supper, among other phrases she has learned. Having lived in Waskaganish for nearly seven years, Poirier now considers it home. She actively engages in community traditions such as goose plucking and fishing, and she crafted her first pair of moose hide moccasins there. "I feel like I'm part of the community, and I feel accepted. I'm really happy about it because I really wanted to be here," said Poirier. She said she is still learning and wishes to continue expanding her knowledge, even beyond the pages of her book. "I cannot say that I'm fluent in Cree, but I would say that I manage," she said. "I want my book to be full."
