Latest news with #Saulteaux
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Mandela's Legacy ‘is Now Our Responsibility', Guterres Says On International Day
In his remarks, the Secretary-General celebrated the extraordinary life of the South African civil rights icon, affectionately known by his Khosa clan name, Madiba. 'He endured the brutal weight of oppression, and emerged not with a vision of vengeance and division – but of reconciliation, peace and unity,' Mr. Guterres said. 'Today, Madiba's legacy is now our responsibility. We must carry forward his commitment to peace, justice and human dignity.' To honour this legacy, the UN chief awarded the annual Nelson Mandela Prize to two individuals who reflect the late leader's commitment to peace and collective action, and this year's theme of combating poverty and inequity: Brenda Reynolds of Canada and Kennedy Odede of Kenya. Brenda Reynolds: turning pain into action Brenda Reynolds is a Saulteaux member from Fishing Lake First Nation in Canada, and as a social worker she has spent decades advancing Indigenous rights, mental health and trauma-informed care. 'There are many parallels to what we had experienced in both our countries, where the governments made impacted policies to change who we are, to face oppression, to face violations of human rights in our countries,' Ms. Reynolds said in her acceptance speech. In 1988, she supported 17 teenage girls in the first residential school sexual abuse case in Saskatchewan. 'These charges were the beginning of other disclosures that came from across Canada from survivors speaking about their sexual abuse experiences. Those charges and the disclosures became the largest class action lawsuit to date in Canada,' known as Canada's Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, she explained. Afterwards, she became a special adviser to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and developed the Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program – both created by the agreement – helping shape survivor support and trauma responses nationwide. Kennedy Odede: from slums to CEO After growing up in Kenya's Kibera Slum, Kennedy Odede went from living on the street to global recognition when he was named one of TIME magazine's 2024 100 Most Influential People and became a New York Times bestselling author. 'At ten years old, fleeing domestic violence, I joined the ranks of Nairobi's street children. One day I stole a mango because I was starving. A mob gathered to beat me dead, until a stranger stepped forward, paid for that mango, and in that single act of grace, showed me that kindness could interrupt cycles of violence,' Mr. Odede recounted in his acceptance speech. He began his journey as an activist by saving his meagre factory earnings to buy a soccer ball and bring his community together. 'That ball was not just for play; it was a tool for organising. A centre around which a community could form,' he said. This soon grew into Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), the largest grassroots movement in Kenya he now leads as CEO. SHOFCO operates across the country, empowering local groups and delivering vital services to over 4 million people annually. 'Mandela showed all of us at SHOFCO, that leadership is not a privilege reserved for those born to power. It belongs to anyone willing to serve and look within.'
CBC
13-03-2025
- General
- CBC
Woman from Cote First Nation relearns Saulteaux in hopes of revitalizing the language
Three years ago, Natalie Langan decided to relearn the Saulteaux language she knew as a child. Now she wants to make the language more accessible for everyone.
CBC
09-03-2025
- General
- CBC
Sask. woman working to reclaim Saulteaux language and pass it along to others
Natalie Langan hopes sharing what she knows will help with language revitalization Natalie Langan grew up speaking Saulteaux, but after the death of her grandmother close to 20 years ago, she stopped speaking her language. Now, she's on a journey to reclaim it. Langan, who is from from Cote First Nation, about 230 kilometres northeast of Regina, was raised on Fishing Lake First Nation by her late grandmother, and was a fluent speaker of Saulteaux — also known as Anihšināpēmowin or Nahkawêwin — before her grandmother's death. "I feel like my language went along with her, because I had nobody to speak the language with anymore," said Langan. The two would speak the language to each other, and it was their first language at home. "She was the one that I spoke Saulteaux to," said Langan. "So when she passed away, I felt like I had no one to speak to, so I didn't speak." But three years ago, Langan decided to relearn her language. She took classes at the First Nations University of Canada in Regina from Lorena Lynn Cote, a faculty member with the university's department of Indigenous languages, arts and cultures. "When I started relearning my language, it was not only rewarding, challenging and exciting, but also really eye-opening," said Langan. "It really makes me aware of how important it was that I restarted this journey." As she continued, "I also really wanted to teach what I was relearning, what I was learning," she said. "I wanted to pass that on." Now, she's teaching a weekly online class, and sharing the language in her own way. "I consider myself a mentor, and everybody that joins the class, they are my apprentice students," she said. Langan said it's important to her to keep people engaged and learning. "Every one of these students that are taking my class has a story," she said. "They're just trying to be like me and get their language back." San Francisco Bay area sisters learning Saulteaux Padme James and her sister, Beru James, are learning to speak Saulteaux through Langan's weekly online classes. They're also from the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan, are but currently living in the San Francisco Bay area. "I've always had that urge to reconnect and learn my culture, and connect with the people who live on my reservation," said Padme. Beru said she loves her First Nations heritage. "I want to be able to speak with other people," she said. "I want to be able to say 'kisāwēnimin, I love you,' to my sister, or to my grandfather also." Since starting Langan's class, both sisters are excelling at learning the language. "I love speaking my language," said Padme. "I feel grateful that I get to, because I know for a long time people were not allowed to." Beru also said she's proud to be able to speak the language now. "I think it's beautiful," she said. "I can say 'ānīn nimihšomihš' — 'hi, my grandfather,' and I can talk to my father, like, 'nipāpā kisāwēnimin, I love you, my dad.'" Beru said there's a learning curve to learning any new language, but Langan has been a great teacher. "She makes learning this language so easy and so accessible."
