Cree language learning goes high tech

Documentary filmmaker Loretta Todd (Today is a Good Day, Forgotten Warriors) came up with an idea five years ago to do something great that would serve and promote the Cree language to those living in the urban setting, more specifically, to the Cree kids living off reserve in the city of Vancouver.

What grew out of this is the children’s television series- Tansi! Nehiyawetan, that is in its third season on the Aboriginal People’s Television Network (APTN). The new season kicks off on Feb. 15.

“I think it is all our responsibility to…learn and become fluent. I think television is just one part of it, but the bigger part has to definitely stay in the community and within the families. There are so many choices kids have now to be entertained. It’s a good way for the kids to learn without feeling like its work,” said Todd on the importance of using this particular medium to reach the children.

The series brings the audience into the positive and inviting world of culture, everyday experiences, and entertainment.

Todd began her own language journey in the early 90s in Vancouver, where she “was always aware of how important language is to culture, to governance, to imagination, to art, to all aspects of life.

“Whenever I could I found a way to incorporate some aspect of language into my films,” she said.

Years later, Todd decided that as a producer and filmmaker she could create a television show geared towards children and their families that would not only teach the language but at the same time help the kids make healthy choices about their lives.

“The idea was to encourage the kids who live in the city, but we are also being conscious to the fact that it should be relevant to the kids who don’t live in the city too…you can’t replace learning from the home. We can only enhance it and contribute to it,” said Todd.

The influence of the series stems from Todd’s admiration for the people who kept First Nations languages alive, despite the residential schools and all efforts of assimilation. She feels that she owes them a lot and this project is a small way of giving back to her grandparents, ancestors and relatives.

Tansi! Nehiyawetan is based on educational and interactive games, stories, songs and adventures that take the audience around the city, while the repetition of the Cree word, that associates with the activity of that episode, is being delivered.

Cree teacher Josephine Small, also known as Aunty Josephine on the show, and cast member/Cree student Kai Todd-Daniels have both been with the series since the beginning. Kayla Dakis, also a cast member/Cree student, has been with the series for two seasons, explained Small.

“In this new series coming up it was as if the kids knew the words and I’m not teaching them. It’s kind of like a progression from the very first series,” said Small.” It’s as if the kids are learning more as they are going.”

Growing with the kids is a way that will help address life lessons to be learned when it comes to bullying, friendships, and family, she explained.

Josephine Small is from the Ermineskin Reserve in Hobbema and teaches grades 4 to 9 at the Kisipatnahk School in Louis Bull.

With an education in Linguistics from the University of British Columbia and an overall focus on language retention, she believes that this interactive teaching benefits far better than what is traditionally used in the classroom as teaching tools.

“You have to go high tech with the kids because that’s what they are interested in...the visual stuff. The workbooks or whatever, don’t work anymore. You can preserve it (language) by having elders on there and I really like the way she (Todd) uses songs to recreate the Cree,” said Small.

One aspect of the show is the inclusion of live music that teaches different songs sung in the Cree language. This season’s list of performers includes Jason Burnstick, Cheryl L’Hirondelle, and the Travelling Spirit Drummers, to name a few. As well, actress Tantoo Cardinal, and former astronaut Commander John Harrington make guest appearances.

From the animated cartoon graphics by Aboriginal animators Chris Auchter and Stephen Gladue to the music composers Sandi Scofield and hip-hop artist Ostwelve , Tansi! Nehiyawetan is both eye catching and sing-along appealing to viewers from all age groups.