Thank you, Madam Speaker, I’d like to congratulate Aurora College and Mary Rose Sundberg for offering Wiilideh language lessons this year.
The course started on January 20th and continues until February 24th. Hugh Moloney, an instructor of the college, recently spent a year with his family, living and teaching in New Zealand. They were inspired about how the Maori language and culture have come to have an important role in New Zealand’s national identity. When Hugh came back to Yellowknife, he wanted to learn more about the Wiilideh language and culture.
Fortunately, he found that Aurora College was supportive and, further, Mary-Rose had been developing teaching materials at the Goyatiko Language Centre in Detah. Within a few days of advertising the course, it was fully booked and there is now quite a waiting list. Most of the students are not Dene.
Language, culture and the land are intertwined. By learning the Wiilideh language, the students learn about the Wiilideh culture, the Dene way and their land. Learning the language will also build new relationships and strengthen cross-cultural ties.
I’m proud to report that about half of the students are Weledeh constituents. I have often said the Weledeh riding represents a special part of Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. It is a place where many cultures thrive and interact. There is an interesting and well-known saying amongst the Tlicho people originating from Chief Jimmy Bruneau, I believe, that speaks about the relationship between the old ways and the new, between the Dene way and the “white man’s way.” They say being adept at both ways can make them strong like two people. Perhaps that can be applied to everyone.
I certainly hope that teaching and learning the Wiilideh language will build stronger connections within our community, stronger connections with the land, a stronger sense of pride and better understanding of our different ways of knowing.
Just a brief note, Madam Speaker, that my constituency assistant, Andrew Robinson, is attending Mary Rose’s lessons and I’m sure he would welcome the opportunity to show off his Wiilideh proficiency with any Weledeh speakers who would like to chat with him. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
