How Lennox Island is revitalizing the Mi’kmaw language, one generation at a time

Photo: Sheehan Desjardins/CBC. Retrieved from cbc.ca.

It’s not unusual these days to hear students speaking Mi’kmaw at John J. Sark Memorial School on Lennox Island First Nation.

“Wela’lioq,” says a classroom of students in unison, which means “thank you.”

“Nmu’ltes,” they say. That means “see you later.”

Over the past few years, the community has been taking steps to revitalize the Mi’kmaw language on Lennox Island. Kids are learning it in daycare and in school. Mi’kmaw signs are also stationed throughout the community.

“It’s really nice because elder community members notice when the students are using the language and are coming home to share what they’ve learned, sharing phrases, they’re identifying animals,” said Kim Colwill, the First Nation’s director of education.

“They’re using the Mi’kmaw language and it’s beautiful.”