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COMMUNITY AND JUSTICE WORK by Pieta Woolley

The Power of Language

Leslie Reid

Prayers, calendar revitalize Indigenous language

After residential school, she graduated from university with a degree in social work, raised children, and worked. She now runs her own language consultancy business. “I believe in education, in spite of neglect and abuse. I am still moving forward until my life comes to an end,” she says. “In the past, due to abuse, neglect, lack of love, and being on day-to-day rules, I had alcohol and drug abuse problems in my younger years. I overcame that too when my first grandchild was born.” In June 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action included several language-related items, though the federal government and post-secondary institutions, not the churches, were named for taking responsibility. (Other Calls to Action named churches directly.) The United Church’s Healing Fund began in 1994 and sup“We have a unique culture and language,” says ports First Nations–initiated projects aimed at healing and Margaret Wesley. reconciliation. It is funded by Mission & Service. The goals of Wesley’s project are to offer the opportunity for healing he knew she would face the strap if she did it. But for residential school survivors of the Stoney First Nation. she couldn’t resist. In the late 1950s, when Margaret The initiative includes talking and sharing circles to allow Wesley was a student at the Morley Indian Residential individuals to express their loss, grief, and separation from School in Alberta, she sought out private moments with her parents and caregivers. Through the use of the Stoney lanfriends to whisper Stoney words back and forth, despite the guage, they can discover traditional works and storytelling. consequences. A written pamphlet of mealtime and night prayers and a calThe Stoney language was forbidden at the United Church– endar with Stoney words were also produced. run institution she attended for eight years from age seven to The Stoney language—an Assiniboine language closely 16. English had to be spoken. Teachers would use a leather related to Sioux—saw its first revitalization efforts in the strap on students’ hands or forearms if they overheard. 1980s, Wesley says. Today’s young people are interested in the “There was always that aspect of fear in our lives,” Wesley language. It’s even taught at the Morley Community School, recalls. which is administered by the Stoney Education Authority. Fear no longer drives her relationship with her mother That said, Wesley says she doesn’t believe that most young tongue; inspiration does. This spring, Wesley finished a people are becoming fluent in it. Healing Fund–supported project to translate the Lord’s Prayer “English is the common language,” she said. “Once Stoney and several traditional Stoney prayers into written Stoney. is gone, what are we going to do? We have a unique culThe goal is to revitalize the language, which was nearly lost. ture and language. We are a distinct people. Do we keep our Indeed, the 2011 census revealed that values and traditions?” fewer than one in five Indigenous CanaIt’s a challenge. Wesley herself married dians retained their mother tongue, due a Cree-speaker, so their home language Since 2012, in part to policies such as the one at the was English. Similarly, she advocates a the Healing Fund has Morley school. About 3,000 Albertans traditional diet of wild meat and berries— approved 10 requests for speak at least some Stoney. Wesley’s adult less McDonalds, fewer video games, more language revitalization children understand Stoney, but don’t Stoney language, more prayers. This proprojects totalling $142,067. speak very much. ject will help her vision materialize. In 2015, 25 Healing Fund “This is part of my residential school projects were supported healing journey,” says the 69-year-old Pieta Woolley is picking up a few by Mission & long-distance runner, who has always Tla’amin words in Powell River, British Service. been an active driver of her own healing. Columbia.

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MANDATE | AUGUST 2016

Leslie Reid

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