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whatsupyukon.com
June 15, 2022 with
Manus Hopkins Manus Hopkins is a Whitehorse- and Toronto-based journalist, musician and lover of heavy metal and cats.
YOUTH TODAY, LANGUAGE LEADERS TOMORROW A new program through the Yukon Native Language Centre focuses on revitalizing traditional First Nations languages
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fore they branch off separately. Holway said he has found a sense of community with his fellow language learners. “It feels like we’re going to have a lifelong partnership, all of us,” he said. “We all think alike, and we all are working towards the same cause, which is language revitalization in the Yukon.” The YTLLTs have their sights set on some longer-term goals where language revitalization is concerned. Holway believes the school curriculum should incorporate more education on the Yukon’s First Nations peoples, including a focus on languages. “I grew up just going to public school, and I never really got to learn about my family’s culture,” he said. “I feel like it’s only fair to Yukon First Nations who have lived here, for so many thousands of years, that the kids who grow up in the Yukon learn about the people who were originally here.” In learning about his culture PHOTO: COURTESY OF YUKON COUNCIL OF FIRST NATIONS and where his family came from YTLLTs in a Zoom meeting through his program, Holway said he is also learning more about himself. There are challenging Holway’s group consists of him- parts to the program for him, parof students studying Southern Tutchone, Tlingit, Kaska, Hän and self and six other students with ticularly having to deal with the Northern Tutchone. There are 20 whom he spends the majority of depressing thought of what his students, in total, in the program, the time during his days of learn- ancestors have had to go through, as he puts it. Despite the with a small group emotional difficulty of designated to “The Yukon Native Language Centre continues to learning some of his each of the five program’s subject languages. demonstrate leadership in advancing Yukon First Nations material, Holway The Youth Tolanguages through innovative projects and partnerships.” still feels motivated day: Language to work towards a Leaders Tomor“Projects like this bring our languages to life in new better future and not row program ways and expose Yukon First Nations, of all ages, to the take for granted the involves both opportunity to embrace our Yukon First Nations languages.” opportunity he has, classes and selfto play a part in restudy periods for vitalizing his language. its students—or, as “My Elders have worked so hard they call themselves, YTLLTs. Cory ing. The days start with a morning Holway, who studies the Southern check-in, in which each of the to keep our language alive so we Tutchone Language, said some of language groups takes part, be- can still be learning it,” he said. he Yukon Native Language Centre recently launched a new program to develop language proficiency among Yukon First Nations youth. Called “Youth Today: Language Leaders Tomorrow,” the initiative sees groups
his favourite moments are those he gets to spend out on the land. “It’s really nice to connect with the nature,” he said. “We have been picking out certain words we want to learn from our time out in nature.”
Yukon Native Language Centre (YNLC) to translate Robert Munsch books into Yukon First Nations Languages The YNLC has launched a translation project that will produce limited editions of 20 Robert Munsch books in four different Yukon First Nations languages. The project will involve working with language speakers and trainees to translate 20 books (by popular children’s author Robert Munsch) into Tlingit, Southern Tutchone, Kaska and Northern Tutchone. The project is funded by the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Community Development Fund. The YNLC is leading the translation project in partnership with Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Kluane First Nation, Liard First Nation and Selkirk First Nation. This initiative will produce a total of 80 new Yukon First Nation language books and will help to make Yukon First Nations languages a part of early learning throughout the Yukon. This project also involves a training component for transcribers. Working closely with fluent speakers, trainees will play an integral role in developing practical translation and transcription skills. This capacity-building opportunity will continue to empower Yukon First Nations to tell stories and to contribute to intergenerational knowledge transfer through storytelling. Once completed, the translated books will be printed and distributed among project partners and Yukon First Nations. The project is anticipated to be complete in fall 2022. Holway’s present goals, within his studies, include showing his teachers how much effort he is putting in and making sure he gives his best every day and learns as much as he can. He also wants to keep using his language outside of his studies, with his family. Though he still sometimes feels shy to use his language outside of the program, he sees it as a
crucial part of the community he and his fellow YTLLTs are building amongst themselves. “It makes me feel really happy when I get in to work and we’re all talking to each other,” said Holway. “We try and talk to each other in our language as much as we can.” To learn more, visit https:// www.ynlc.ca/ n
