Why this treaty educator says every Nova Scotian should learn the Mi'kmaw language

A treatyeducator from Sipekne'katik First Nation says it's up to all Nova Scotians to help keep the Mi'kmaw language alive.

Ashley Julian-Rikihanacradled her newborn daughter in her arms as she spoke to CBC Radio's Information Morning for a special show on Monday honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day.

"It takes a village to raise a child," she said."It takes a village to keep alanguage alive."

Canada'sresidential school systemwas designed to severIndigenous children's connection to their culture and language. AsCanadians reckon withthe lasting impacts of thishistory, they must also work to restore what was taken,Julian-Rikihanasaid.

"It takes a province like Nova Scotia to keep the survival of the Mi'kmaw language, the survival of Mi'kmaw culture ... those acknowledgements take everyone here in Nova Scotia, not just the Mi'kmaq," she said.

Julian-Rikihanaencouraged non-Indigenous people to seek out resources and take the time to learn the language of this land.

"It's about being an ally," she said."It really shows and demonstrates your willingness to live here in our territory if you're willing to speak our language."

Julian-Rikihanastudiedthe resurgence of thelanguage as part of her master's thesis in education, and has worked for the Department of Education to incorporate Mi'kmaw culture and teachings into the curriculum.

She grew up learning Mi'kmaw from fluent family members, but she was never taught the languagein school. She said while there are more educational resources available today, there still aren't enough.

WATCH: Mi'kmaw languageteacher Curtis Michael explains the importantdistinction between animate and inanimate nouns:

Part of the problem, she said, is thatnon-Indigenous teachers can still feel intimidated when teaching the material.

"Even in high schools and secondary level, it's not a mandatory course for non-Mi'kmaw people to take, and it should be because the resurgence and the survival of language is important for the next generation," she said.

Language apps help new speakers

A small team at Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, the Mi'kmaw education authority based in Cape Breton, is making it easier for people of all ages to learn the language. They've developed about 40 language phone apps thathave been downloaded tens of thousands of times.

Their first app, L'nui'suti, is an online lexicon that includes the word's translation in English as well as recordings from speakers who pronounce each word. They've also developedKsite'taqn, which introduces children to Mi'kmaw words and phrases.

"We knew that we had to do something because our language was declining and to attract young speakerswe had to use information technology," saidYolanda Denny, a senior Mi'kmaw language consultant who worked on the apps.

LISTEN: Linguist Bernie Francis talks about Mi'kmaw place names:

N.S. couple brings Mikmaq language to Emmy-award winning TV show

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A Nova Scotia couple's dedication to preserving their Mi'kmaq language has taken them across the ocean to help film the Emmy-award winning TV series Vikings, where they coached actors.

The team is also working to revive old terms that are mostly spoken by elders.

John Sylliboy,aneducator from Eskasoni and Millbrook First Nations, is doing similar work through his PhDresearch. He'slooking into Mi'kmaw language and history to find and resurface terms to describe people who are two-spirit.

Sylliboy said there aren't specific gendered pronouns in Mi'kmaw.Instead, the word Nekmencompasses theperson and can meanhim or her.

"These are important clues for us to look at our language and how inclusive it is and to determine from there how we could move forward to develop or reassign or resurface some of the language that ... has been eroded," saidSylliboy, who is the co-founder of theWabanaki Two Spirit Alliance.

Since June is Pride month, he also shared the wordKepmite'lsi, which translates in English to "I'mproud."

WATCH:A couple from EskasoniFirst Nation is sharing the Mi'kmaw language around the world:

Julian-Rikihanasaid she and her partner speakMi'kmaw and Mori, the Indigenous language of New Zealand,and will raise theirdaughter to knowmultiple languages from an early age.

Sheencourages Nova Scotians who say they want to be an ally to take the time to study the languageand thePeace and Friendship treaties.

True reconciliation involvesreturning what was taken, she said.

"Those are the most uncomfortable conversations that we need to have," she said."I think people want to predominately keep Mi'kmaqsilent to this day and we have a voice and our children are going to understand who they are."

Listen toInformation Morning's full show for National Indigenous Peoples Day: