Indigenous language: Finding new ways to connect with culture

This week on Unreserved, Indigenous people are learning languages and creating new waysto reconnect with their culture.

At residential school, SpheniaJones and all the other kids weren't called by their names, they werereferred to bynumber. She was called 702. Growing up, she wasn't exposed to much of herHaidaculture or language.Her grandfathers were told it was against the law to pass it down, andthey would be arrested if they taught it to the next generation. Punishments for speaking an Indigenous language at residential school were violent and severe. But when she was cast in Edge of the Knife, a film shot entirely in the Haida language, Jones saw the opportunity to take back what was taken from her so many years ago.

This week, Unreserved launched a new podcast series called First Words, which will introduce you to someone who speaks an Indigenous language. They will tell you how they learned it, and teach you a few words. The first two episodes will be featured on this week's show, with new episodesreleased every Tuesday. Subscribeto the Unreserved podcast on your favourite podcast app to hear the episodes.

When Indigenous languages are discussed in the media, they are often referred to as dead or dying, and in need of revitalization. ButCandaceGalla, a Native Hawaiianand professor in the department of language and literacy education at the University of British Columbia says this narrative does a disservice to Indigenous cultures.

The technology we use in our daily lives runs smoothly because of programming language like C++, C# or Java. But did you ever think these types of languages might exclude people who don't speak English? ProgrammerKari Noeis working with a team to rewrite C# inleloHawaiian, so it is more inclusive to Hawaiian programmers.

Some believe theTlingit languagehas been slowly inchingtowardsextinction, so to ward that off a conference was held in Juneau, Alaska.CBC'sClaudianeSamsonvisited the conference and brings us that story.

This week's playlist:

Logan Staats - She Just Wants a Folk Song

Jeremy Dutcher- Ultestakan

The Jerry Cans - Ukiuq