Intergenerational twinning project: meeting with Indigenous Elders

The intergenerational and intercultural project

Since its inception in 2019, the intergenerational and intercultural twinning project has experienced steady growth and increasing interest from the student community. With over 14 registrations for the spring 2024 session and active participation from dozen Elders and Knowledge Keepers, the twinning project represents for Collège Nordique a pathway towards the promotion and revitalization of Indigenous languages. 

One of the program's strengths is its ability to benefit both learners and Elders. By providing a platform for intergenerational and intercultural exchange, the twinning program enhances the language courses, thus providing a platform for exchange and sharing of Indigenous culture. 

A partnership for knowledge transmission

This innovative project offers Dene Elders the opportunity to share their linguistic and cultural knowledge with individual learners. At the beginning of each semester, students enrolled in the Tłı̨chǫ language course meet with Dene Elders and Knowledge Keepers. These meetings provide opportunities to share stories, taste local dishes, and foster intergenerational and intercultural bonds. 

Immersive learning

Learners have the chance to practice their Tłı̨chǫ and Wıı̀lıı̀deh language skills by introducing themselves and offering food and drinks to Elders, for example. Throughout the semester, pairings are made based on common interests. Together, they engage in various activities such as sewing moccasins, setting rabbit or muskrat traps, thus offering the student community an insight into Indigenous culture. 

Eloquent testimonies

For Jody Ann Zoe, a Tłı̨chǫ student from Behchokǫ̀, this program is an opportunity to revitalize her language and culture. "I want to revitalize my language, starting with myself," she explains. The benefits of this program are also emphasized by Dene Tłı̨chǫ author Richard Van Camp and his wife Keavy Martin, for whom the program has transformed their family. 

A program for reconciliation and mutual understanding

This program goes beyond language learning; it contributes to reconciliation and mutual understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. As emphasized by Kim Nichols, a longtime Yellowknife resident, this type of program is essential for building relationships within communities and gaining a better understanding of our context. She calls for the normalization of Indigenous cultures in Canada, noting that this requires ongoing education and awareness, even within our school systems. 

A project with real impact

At the end of each semester, the lasting relationships between learners and Elders testify to the profound impact of this program. Some individuals even choose to continue their engagement by participating in the mentor-apprentice program, 200 hours of immersion organized by the Government of the Northwest Territories and supported by Indigenous governments. These initiatives demonstrate Collège Nordique's ongoing commitment to the revitalization of Indigenous languages through education, thereby contributing to a future where cultural diversity is celebrated and respected.