Mamanaw Pekiskwewina | Mother Tongues: amiskwacîwâskahikan

Edna Ekhivalak Elias taijauvakhimjuq anaanattiaminit, “Haatuliarmiutarmik”, “inuugamaguuq haatillugu hiku”, inuuhimagama hikuhaaqtillugu tahiq ukiakhami. IIlihaqpakhimajuq ilihaijiunirmik. Ekhivalak Inuit uqauhiannik ilitquhianiglu aghuruuqtuq. Talimani ukiiuni Kamisinaulgaqhuni Nunavunmi, Ekhivalak utiqpaktuq nunaminut Qurluqtumut, Nunavunmi, ualiniutqiaq inuit nunangat Nunavunmi. Ekhivalak pingahunik hivunirhuivakhimajuq Arnait Huliluqaqtut-Pihuktut Niriungnirmut maniliurutigivlugu iviangnirmi kaansamik qaujihaijjutikhanik. Manngit katitaujut turaqtitauvlutik Cross Cancer Institute-mut Inmintinmi. Talvani amigaitpiaqtut Ukiuqtaqturmiut kaansamingnut aanniarviliqivangmata. Utirnirminit aimavingminut nunaminut, angmaqhimajaa aimavini arnanut mirhurninik iliharumajunut amiliqinirmiglu. Ajauqtiuqatauvakhunilu ilihaijinut pitquhinik ilihainirmik. Inmi malruglu ilihaiviuvakhimajuk nanminiqutikhamingnik angmaqhihimajut akhuruutigivlugu tammaqtailinia puiguqtauttailinialu Inuinnaqtun, uqauhirmingnik ilihaivlutik, huliluqarutikhaliuqhutiglu, Inuinnaqtullu taiguakhaliurivlutik, ajaugivlutiglu pitquhinik ilitpaallirutikhanik, ikayuqtuivlutiglu Inuinnaqtun ilihaujjiujunik iliharvingni. Aaniarunnikkami nuuttuq Inmintinmut, Alberta-mi munaqtauttiarumavluni taaktinit, qimakhugit tamaita piqpagiyani huliluqaarutinilu.

Edna Ekhivalak Elias ilaujuq inuuqatigiiktunut Inuinnanut Inmintinmi ilauvakhunilu Inutuqanut taffumani National Gathering of Elders-kunni, ilaulihaaglu tapkunani Niruaktauvini Atiqtuijuni Inmintinmi.

Edna Ekhivalak Elias ilitarimajaulihaaqhimajuq Order of Canada-mik, November 2019-ngutillugu.

Edna Elias was called by her grandmother, “Haattuliarmiutaq”, meaning “a person from thin ice” having been born on a fishing lake in the fall. A teacher by profession, Edna is an Inuit language and cultural advocate. After 5 years as Commissioner of Nunavut, Edna had returned to her home community of Qurluqtuq, Nunavut, the most westerly community in Nunavut. Since her return home, she had opened her home to women to learn traditional sewing and fur preparation skills. Edna owned a business promoting the preservation and retention of Inuinnaqtun through language courses, providing educational and cultural orientation and advice, program and event planning, the production of Inuinnaqtun reading material and to support the language programming in the schools. Edna continues to share her Inuit culture, language and knowledge in community projects. Melding contemporary materials and skills, her creations include clothing, jewelry, bags and ornaments.

Ms. Elias is a member of the Inuit community of Edmonton and is involved as an Inuit Elder with the National Gathering of Elders Kanata and the National Indigenous Cultural Expo. She was recently involved in the Ward Naming Initiative of the City of Edmonton and is a member of the Edmonton Indigenous Framework Women’s Circle.

Ms. Elias is a recipient of the Order of Canada, November 2019.

Chubby Cree is a First Nations, Indigenous hand drum group that has taken the internet by storm. Steeped in traditional Cree music and culture, Carol Powder has taught all of her children and grandchildren, and was herself trained at a young age by her then 99 year old grandfather. "In the future, you're going to be a singer," she recalled him saying, "You're going to help bring these women back to the drum because that's where they belong.” For the past five years the group have been playing non-stop around their hometown of Edmonton, at both traditional powwow events and as a go-to artist at events in support of women’s rights, the environment and the marginalized of society. Channeling the authentic spirit of Cree music and its healing power to unite people, the group's powerful performances have often brought audience members to tears. Cikwes is a Nehiyaw Soul Singer and Songwriter from Bigstone Cree Nation. Her musical background is rooted in Woodland Cree traditions, with creative influences ranging from chanting, overtone singing, jazz, soul, gospel, rhythm and blues and reggae. Cikwes is a fluent Nehiyaw (Cree) speaker and singer songwriter. She sings in her mother tongue and in English. Her first album ISKO which means ‘Woman’ in the Cree language was nominated for the 2019 Indigenous Music Awards for Best Folk Album of the Year. Her songs are a testament of a woman’s beauty, resilience and resurgence.

Chubby Cree nehiyaw, iyiniw mistikwaskihk onikamow ehâhkameyimocik enikamocik ôta internet. kwayask epimitisahahkik nehiyaw kitohcikewin ekwa isihtwâwin, Carol Powder kîkiskinohamawew kahkiyaw otawâsimisa ekwa osisima, ekwa wiya ekîkiskinohamât ehoskâyawit ekiskinoham̂akot ekospî ehitahtopiponeyit kekâc kekâ-mitâtahtomitanaw omosôma . “ôte nîkânihk, kiwîhitakon onikamowiyiniw,” ekîhitikot itwew. “kiwîkiskinohtahâwak iskwewak kâwekanikamocik ta-pakamahwâcik mistikwaskihkwa ayisk ekote aniki takîhapicik. nâway niyânan askiya ekonik ôki ekîpapaminikamostamâkecik ita ehohcîcik amiskwacîwâskahikanihk, nanapô kayâs ohci isitwânihk pwâtisimowinihk ekwa epâmimetawestamâket ita kasihtoskawihcik iskwewak kwayask kapaminihcik, kâkî-pehohpikicik ekwa aniki pîtos asime kesipaminihcik. kwayask kâsôhki-mamisihtahkik nehiyaw nikamowina ita kananâtawihikot ekwa kâwe tamiyowîcetocik ayisiyiniwa, ekonik mâmawi takahkinikamowak enanâtawiskawâcik ayisiyiniwa isko ahpô emâtoyit. Cikwes nehiyaw ahcâhk onikamow ekwa nikamowasinahikew ohci mikisiw tipahaskan. okitohcikewin pehcinâway ekîpimitisahahk Woodland nehiyaw isitwâwina, piko kîkway enapwastât nikamowayasihk, ka paskastehamihk kitohcikan, jazz, ahcâhk, ayamihâwinikamowin, rhythm ekwa blues, ekwa reggae. Cikwes nihtânehiyawew (Cree) nehiyawew ekwa onikamowinasinahikew. nehiyaw nikamow ekwa môniyâwatwâmow. nistam onikamowin ISKO ehitwemakanihk “Woman’ nehiyawewinihk ekînawasônikâtehk anita 2019 iyiniw kitohcikewin otahowewin ohci mâwaci mâmiywâsik ayisiyiniwak ohci ewako askiy. onikamowina anihi tâpwe iskwewak katawasisiwin, kanihtamînawihk ekwa kâwe kapimâcihtâhk.

Ana Lauren Crazybull iitáópi ami ómahkoyis. Ana Lauren iihtótsitapi Siksikaitsitapi kii Dene, ootsitapíímiksi iihtótsitapiiya Fort McKay First Nation kii Kainai Nation. Ana Lauren áóksspaanohkoatakii matápi, ootsinaksinnistsi kii iihkanaomia’nistsinniaksinistsi. iikohpokáp’ootákiimi. Aásitápiiks, kii maatsitápoataki iihtáípiyoohtsimio’p

Ana Lauren iihtaí’ssitapiiwa amóyi ootápóótaksinni amahkot’sspoomoyi nitsitápiikowaiksi

Lauren Crazybull is an artist living in Edmonton, Alberta. Lauren is Niitsitapi and Dene with connections to Fort McKay First Nation, and a member of Kainai Nation. Lauren’s practice focuses on painted portraiture, experimental mapmaking and immersive installation. Their background includes working with youth, radio programming and illustration. The purpose of the work they have done thus far has been to examine the function of colonialism in portraiture and other histories that aren’t always truthful representations of Indigenous existence. As such, Lauren’s portraits describe Indigenous people as they appear to them. Through their work they celebrate nuanced experiences, and seek a sincere understanding of the many facets of Indigenous life.

Taran Kootenhayoo nį Denesųłiné chu Tthek’eni helį nį. T’ąt’u losi ełk’ech’a honiʔe t’a dene xeł holni. Tsamba Nalye Ełk’etaghe Níh, Alberta hots’į nikerįnidher. Ełk’etaghe są chu įłaghe erihtł’is nétį xa edeghįtł’is dene xeł. 2015 k’e Capilano University enałt’e, t’ąt’u senats’ede xa honéłtą. Premier Talent Management ghadiniya. Full Circle’s First Nation Performance Ensemble xeł tth’i hulta alya. 2018 k’é Whistler Film Festival hots’į ’Star to Watch’ beghąt’ą. Chu 2019 k’e Jessie Theatre Awards ’Sam Payne’s Most Promising Newcomer’ denéłna. Taran bįniyu Savage Society xeł eghalaghena. Sudíh xa ’White Noise’ dighįtł’is, Fire Hall Arts Centre bodet’į xa. Telus STORYHIVE yets’eghįni hot’a ’D.I.Y.’ dighįtł’isú yedzirighįłdher. Diri ąłu anelti hok’enaghįdher hot’a bek’odeją:Molli Denali hots’į, Dene kóntuwe nełdel chu Sekwi At’odadi dayałtiʔú, Peggy Tsatsąne, Th’woxiya: Bérbasede Nasuwe Tthaʔiʔe, Bek’enelką Yuk’ose, Ełdzenagodhetį t’a Łeghats’edhi xa Nakowédi, Bella Ciao!, Łuwe zanechok Ts’ekwaze, Deneyuwaze aheduk.

Taran Kootenhayoo was a Denesułįné and Stoney Nakoda multi-disciplinary storyteller from Treaty 6 territory, Alberta.

He wrote and co-wrote six plays & one screenplay since graduating from Capilano University’s Acting for Stage and Screen program in 2015. He was signed with Premiere Talent Management and was a member of Full Circle’s First Nation Performance Ensemble. Taran was awarded ‘Star to Watch’ at the Whistler Film Festival (2018) and the ‘Sam Payne’s Most Promising Newcomer’ award at the Jessie Theatre Awards (2019). Taran had the pleasure of working closely with Savage Society to help create his curious comedy, ‘White Noise’, which will be world premiering at the Fire Hall Arts Centre. He wrote and directed ‘D.I.Y’ with the help of Telus STORYHIVE. Other credits include: Molli of Denali, Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth, Iron Peggy, Th’woxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish, Red Patch, The Cure for Death by Lighting, Bella Ciao!, Salmon Girl, The Battle of the Birds, The Boy Who Was Abandoned.

Taran Jerry Kootenhayoo One with Creator & Forever in our hearts

September 18, 1993 to December 31, 2020 Taran Forever, Neghanighita

Maria-Margaretta si ayn archis multidisiplinayr Michif di la Rivyayr Roj dju Trayti-6, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, ki vi dret law su ayn teritwayr voli di nasyon Musqueam, Squamish ipi Tsleil-Waututh. Uzi la prachik di perlaj tradjisyonel melanji avek li mediyim contemporin k'yl konsidayr komaw s'it "duality" sayr a la fway d'akt di riklawmasyon ipi li komentayr sur l'hilbriti kultchurel. Navigi dan l'indigeniti a travayr li lenchiyl di dew li kolon ipi l'itabli Maria-Maragretta aseyl d'aranji son eschim a travayr li zimplikasyon di l'ikzistans dan in systchim kolonyal. T'indenchifyi in Michif kom ayn plas di transformasyon, y keschyon komaw la memwayr,experyans personel, ipi li rilasyon ansestral sa influwans sa konpryasyon d'elmem.

Maria-Margaretta is a multidisciplinary Red River Métis artist from Treaty 6, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, currently living on the stolen territory of Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations. Utilizing traditional beadwork practice merged with contemporary mediums she considers how this duality serves as both an act of reclamation and commentary on cultural hybridity. Navigating Indigeneity through the lenses of both the settler and the settled, Maria-Margaretta attempts to negotiate her sense of self through the implications of existing in a colonial system. Using Métis’ identity as a place of transformation she questions how memory, personal experience, and ancestral relations influences her understanding of self.

jaye simpson Ojibwe-Mashkiigo Anishinaabewizi. Nizhiwag Manidoowag ikwe aawi. Sapotaweyak Mashkiigoo Ishkoniganing onjibaa. Omaamaayan gaye obaabaayan gii-daawag gaye. Saulteaux Anishinaabe aawi. Ookomisan Rosine Bourrasa ogii’izhinikaazo. Keeseekoose, Saskatchewan ogii-daa. Scottish-Waabishkiiwe miinawaa Wemitigoozhii aawi.

ozhibii’igewikwewag, mazina’igewikwewag, gaye memaanjinodjig izhichigewag. Wiinge akamawendaagwad nitam mazina’igan gii-gikendamojiwemagag. Binaakwe-Giizis, 2020.“It was never going to be okay” izhinikaade. Nightwood Editions gaa-izhichiged.

anishinaabe-ikwewag gaa-zaagajiwebinagaazowaad, noongom dash nanaakonigewag, naanaagadawendamoog, daawag yi’ing xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-waututh), gaye sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) akiiwanan.

jaye simpson is an Oji-Cree Saulteaux, Two Spirit woman from Sapotaweyak Cree Nations on both their mother and father’s side. their Saulteux lineage is from their grandmother through Rosine Bourrasa from Keeseekoose, Saskatchewan. their settler ancestry is Scottish and French.

jaye is a writer, artist and performer. their much anticipated debut collection of poetry, it was never going to be okay, with Nightwood Editions was published October 2020.

they are a displaced Indigenous person currently resisting, ruminating and residing on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-waututh), and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) First Nations territories.

Wanahae ne Nakoda Sioux hecac nagu Îmâcagiya îs hecac. Taopiîciye ze dagu âptûtha ca hûna nâgu daca heca zeîs wîcagijihâ cac nâgu watejabiga îs om piîciye cac. Oyade Giciciyabi Owabi Sakpe zen Ti Tâga en ti îgac. Daca apiîciye ze Îmâcagiyabina ze daâ wîcabatzo nâthtiye cac. Snîzabin nâgu gicikbâxâbisî nâgu wahigicicobi ûth dagu tathâm hiyubi ciyaga.

Wanahae is a Nakota Sioux Indigiqueer visual artist, Two Spirit youth defender and youth worker. He is based in Edmonton on Treaty 6 territory. His work depicts and focuses on the visual and artistic representation of Two Spirit and Indigiqueer identities and bodies. His work addresses ideas around softness, tender love, kinship and the resilience that these identities intersect on.