Adam Mack grew up in one of the northernmost communities in Ontario, near the Hudson Bay coast where polar bears wandered through the community. For high school, he relocated down to St. Catharines, one of the southernmost cities in the province. After resettling in Timmins and a stint working with Indigenous people in the justice system, Adam is now working to revitalize the Cree language and learning Cree himself through his role with Mushkegowuk Council as the Cree language assistant.

In this episode, Adam talks about shooting his first caribou, working with Indigenous inmates in the regional correctional centre, and developing materials for Cree language learners from a second-language perspective.

Also, Lenny discusses grief and burnout after the spring goose hunt which led to the extended break from his Cree learning and the podcast. He reflects on his journey to date and the responsibilities and goals of the podcast, and the pressure he places on himself.

About our guest: Adam is from Peawanuck, ON, (Weenusk First Nation) which is one of the most northern First Nation’s in Ontario. He attended high school in St. Catharines, ON, which is one of the southernmost cities in Ontario.

Originally wanting to pursue medical studies, he attended Northern College but changed paths to move towards law. He gained valuable experience working at Nishnawbe Aski Legal Services for 4+ years. Working at NAN Legal, he undertook special projects such as working inside the regional correctional facility to assist with reducing indigenous overincarceration rates. Much of his experience involves working at regional levels and has gained valuable experience in understanding the dynamics of inequity faced by Omushkego people.

After gaining the legal experience he wanted, Adam wished to further his understanding and ability to speak the Cree language. He switched gears to work as a language assistant, working directly with an Elder who understands and teaches several dialects of Cree.

Currently, he has been digitizing older Cree material and creating newer forms of Cree resources. He hosts language classes for Omushkego youth at the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council in Timmins. He has held presentations for the Cree teachers of Mushkegowuk communities to assist with evolving teaching methods. Additionally, he has created his own syllabic font, custom charts, animated videos, and adapted the Canadian Language Benchmark concept to map out a continuum of Cree language learners. Ideally, to demonstrate profiles, goals, and lessons that guide each learner’s step of their journey.

The Language – Podcast co-hosted by Mskwaankwad Rice and Jessica Shonias, two Anishinaabemowin learners and teachers who discuss issues and their journey in revitalizing their language.

Apisheesh is supported by the Indigenous Screen Office.

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Kevin Brousseau’s interest in linguistics was sparked as a child when he browsed a list of Proto-Indo-European roots in a dictionary. A member of the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi in northern Quebec, Kevin went on to develop dictionaries of his own in the Cree language, including the Dictionary of Moose Cree. As a 35-year-old, he switched paths and went to medical school and now practices family medicine in Oujé-Bougoumou.

In this episode, Kevin talks about his journey growing up not speaking Cree but hearing it, studying linguistics, and surviving a brain tumour while going to medical school. Later, he talks about how dialects evolve, how Cree is different from English, and a suggestion on what communities can do to preserve the language.

Also, Lenny shares the excitement of niska pîsîm (goose moon, aka April) and the impending arriving of Canada geese to the James Bay coast. He talks about doing conjugation exercises on Learn Moose Cree online learning platform and how his syllabics have improved.

About our guest: Kevin Brousseau is a lexicographer of Cree known for his dictionaries of Moose Cree and East Cree. He also maintains a lexical database on the Abitibi dialect of Anishinabe with plans to publish a dictionary. In the past he has undertaken linguistic fieldwork in other Cree dialects such as Eastern Swampy Cree, Atikamekw, and Western Innu. Aside from lexicography, his interests include dialectology and historical linguistics. He is a Wāswānipīwiyiniw (Waswanipi Cree) and lives in Oujé-Bougoumou, a small Cree community where he practices full-time as a family doctor.

Lexical Roots of Old Cree – An Etymological Dictionary. University of Ottawa Press, or Amazon and Indigo. Or go to www.oldcree.com

Moose Cree dictionary: www.moosecree.ca or contact geraldine.govender@moosecree.com

Blog: https://creelanguage.wordpress.com

Apisheesh is supported by the Indigenous Screen Office

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you grew up or lived on the James Bay area for the past 40 years, then you’ve heard the voice of Jules Spence on the radio. And if you’ve been to a community gathering in the region that featured live music, chances are you’ve also heard his guitar playing as he belts out classic rock tunes.

Originally from Fort Albany First Nation, Jules is a broadcaster with Wawatay Radio based in Timmins, providing daily programs in Cree to the James Bay communities and Timmins area. And he is currently the lead guitarist and singer of the rock band, the Swamp Rockers.

Jules also played lead guitar in the beloved James Bay classic song, “Pretty Girl” by the late John Larry Rodrique. In this episode, Jules talks about that performance and the legacy of John Rodrique. He also talks about growing up in Fort Albany, becoming a musician (including playing the bongos), and how he started his broadcasting career.

Meanwhile, Lenny discusses his experience with Learn Moose Cree, the online learning platform launched by Moose Cree First Nation in partnership with Learning Foundry, as mentioned in the last episode with Geraldine Govender. He also talks about his appearance on Wawatay Radio with Jules, where he prepared a statement in Cree. He compares the translation he developed on his own to the one provided by his mom.

Wawatay Native Communications Society: https://wawataynews.ca

Wawatay Radio Network available at 106.7 FM in the James Bay and Timmins region, or 89.9 FM in northwestern Ontario. Can also be found on radio apps like Simple Radio.

Learn Moose Cree soft launch post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1csS5TmK4F/

“Pretty Girl” by John Larry Rodrique. Used with permission. Live performance video: https://youtu.be/D25cNn8Efns?si=jpzC7rzMHig78nqZ

Apisheesh is supported by the Indigenous Screen Office

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.