3 minute read
Original name for Florenceville. (2 words
Wəlastəkokewiyik/Wolastokukewiyik
Mother Tongue
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By Anatasha Lyons
CORRECTION: The last edition of Mother Tongue should have said: I had a conversation last month with Andrea Bear-Nicholas, Professor Emerita, at St. Thomas University. She recalled a conversation with Nekwətkok elder and language keeper, Henrietta Black. They had been discussing the finer points of the language when Henrietta brought up the word for wave, Təko. It, too, has many variations when pluralized. Something interesting happens, as well. The o in Təkowiyik becomes almost imperceptible.[i]
This also happens to other 2-vowel-words when it becomes pluralized.[ii] Henrietta proposed that the meaning of Wəlastəkwiyik could actually be the peaceful river of good waves, and a third option exists in the more archaic form of Wəlastəkokewiyik refers to our people in this territory.
Perhaps this is why some Elders insist on using the older form when referencing our people and cannot seem to explain why the newer form seems wrong to them.
It is also worth noting that Elder and Language Keeper Imelda Perley has been using this word for some time, and can be heard in the language app available on iTunes and Google Play Stores. The app is called Wolastoqey Latuwewakon by Essential New Media Studios Inc.
If you download the app, under the Identity and Community Section >Where We Are From> Woodstock Identity> Imelda says Wəlastəkokew….which is the singular version of Wəlastəkokewiyik. I highly recommend this app.
Not only is it a great resource, but it’s also been hailed by linguist Dr. Conor Quinn as having near-perfect Wəlastəkwey dialect, which all Wəlastəkokewiyik that want to learn their language should strive to achieve.
Anatasha Lyons is a wife, a mother, and Woodstock First Nation’s Language Coordinator. She is involved in language revitalization efforts in Wolastokuk.
Words of the Month
People of the Peaceful River of Good Waves
Wəlastəkokewiyik/ Wolastokukewiyik
Phonetically: Wool-LUST-tg-GOOK-gew-WEE-ig
Sources: For pronunciaton help please visit https://pmportal.org and type in the english using the Newell-Hale alphabet (q used in example above)
WFN member highlighted in national newsletter Charles Paul featured in First in Trades Spotlight
RIVER VALLEY SUN
Woodstock First Nation’s Charles Paul was higlighted this month in a Government of Canada online mentorship newsletter.
First in Trades shared Paul’s journey with trades organizations across Canada.
“First in Trades (FIT) is happy to announce its second pairing between Charles Paul and PRO INSUL Ltd./ Insulators Union Local 131. Charles, a member of Woodstock
First Nation, is working out so great in the early months and enjoys working in the shop. Charles is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to start his career as an insulator and he looks forward to working with the skilled journeypersons at Pro Insul and Local 131. Charles is eager to learn and excited to put his shop skills to work on site: “I didn’t even know what insulating was really when Karen called to see if I was interested but, I love it, I can’t wait to get to work in the morning, it will be exciting to get on site and put my new insulating skills to work at the refinery, and start learning more and more”. Besides a great work ethic, motivation and drive, Charles’ desire to mentor and support other Indigenous youth is also exciting to the FIT team. Join FIT in congratulating Charles; we look forward to supporting him through his Red Seal journey.”
Children write letters Thank you notes for Carleton Manor
RIVER VALLEY SUN
It was a lesson in fine motor skills, printing, and saying thank you. Children from the WFN Child Development Centre rececntly spent some time writing special thank you notes to be delivered to the Carleton Manor.
Staff and residents at the manor donated handmade knitted mittens and hats to the children at Christmas.
Pictured here is Emmy Lou Gillespie and Chase Tomah working on their printing skills.
Parents and children were appreciative of the kind gesture at Christmas. (Jessica Paul photo)
