(L-R) Carter Chaisson, Katani Julian and Emma Stevens.

The International Year of Indigenous Languages is a United Nations observance in 2019 to raise awareness of the consequences of the endangerment of Indigenous Languages across the world, with an aim to establish a link between language, development, peace, and reconciliation.

To bring awareness to this important cause, students at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Cape Breton recorded Paul McCartney’s Blackbird in their native Mi’kmaw language with the help of the Eskasoni School Board’s Mi’kmaw Language and Culture Consultant Katani Julian. The song quickly went viral, shining a light on issues with the preservation of Indigenous languages across the world, and also shining a light on the talents of Emma Stevens and the other students in the music and multimedia programs.

The project ...

To view the full story, you must be a subscriber. Click here for information on how to subscribe.

 

Tags: