Mother and daughter learn Cree together and share teaching techniques

This story is part of theCBCIndigenous project Original Voices that highlights a few of the many diverse Indigenous languages that exist across the country.

A mother and daughter in northern Saskatchewan are learning and teaching Cree language skills together.

CeliaDeschambeaultis the land, language, relationships and culture co-ordinator with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council in Meadow Lake, Sask.

Although Celia grew up in a Cree community she admits she lost whatCree language she knew during her time attending school.After taking language training last year, which includedAccelerated Second Language Acquisition(ASLA), the mother of eight then began to re-learn Cree with her twodaughters, her youngest children.

Eleven-year-old Sienna's comprehension and ability to retain the words delighted and motivated her mother.

"She's a very bright child and she just grasps everything so quick," said Celia.

"I was really surprised at how far she was picking it up;now we are talking in Cree."

Now Sienna is not only learningSwampy Cree, she is also learning the Plains Cree dialect.

"[The] first word I learned in Cree was 'maskwa' which is 'bear,'" said Sienna.

"I like [learning Cree] and it felt so easy for me. It was just the pictures and mom saying them over and over until I get it. Each day we would learn that word and then another onceI got the first word in my head."

The pair are now presenting their learning method and giving demonstrations at languageconferences across the country, showcasing the ASLAmethod which uses both word association and learning with photos or commands.

The methodwas created by Neyoozet Greymorningin the mid-'90s. He developed thetechnique in the Arapaho language in northern Arizona, and themethod has been usedto help revitalize Indigenous languages in places such asAustralia as well as here in Canada.

"I give full credit to Dr. Greymorning," said Celia.

"With his method, you would teach a lot of oral skills first.With Sienna, I taught her all the oral language and then I started creating books and covering the same concepts that he covered."

Now that Sienna has a solid understanding of the Cree language she is also learning sign language fromher Indigenous Studies teacher, Jana Ross.

"Sienna is very respectful and polite. She is so willing to learn the language and to share the language with everyone." said Ross.

Ross saidshe hopes that she is teaching Sienna something, because she may know more Cree than her teacher.

"She's going to be fluent by the time she graduateshigh school, I'm sure." said Ross.

"Sheand her mother are so inspiring and amazing the things they're doing now."

Sienna is now using what she learns with Ross in her presentations and is in the works of developing a puppet show with her younger sister.

Celia wants to see the ASLA method used in all language classes, saying that she is seeing firsthand the benefits of the learning with her own children. This week, the two havebeen invited to speak and demonstrate language learning in Red Deer, Alta. Sienna says it's something she enjoys doing.

"When I go to places with my mom, people tell me I'm a very good young starter, and they want me to do this more and teach other people," said Sienna.

"And I want to keep learning this and teach kids, and I want to be a doctor."