Preserving Indigenous languages through education, an interview with Georgina Franki

In an effort to preserve indigenous languages, Georgina Franki, a passionate teacher of Tłı̨chǫ in the Northwest Territories, shares her experience and vision. Through this interview, she emphasizes the vital importance of passing on this rich language to the next generation, while also discussing the challenges and hopes along the way. 

Why is it important for you to teach Tłı̨chǫ, which is also your mother tongue? 

Georgina: "The importance of passing on our language has become even more crucial to me now that I have grandchildren. In my opinion, it's essential to teach the younger ones their mother tongue, but above all to continue this teaching at home. The fact that my non-indigenous students express their gratitude for the opening of our classes shows the universality and scope of our language. It is the vehicle of our culture and history. Faced with the danger of extinction, the involvement of non-indigenous people in learning Tłı̨chǫ is a lifeline for its preservation. What's more, learning indigenous languages allows them to discover our way of life, our culture and our history.  

What challenges do you encounter in teaching Tłı̨chǫ? 

Georgina: "Stimulating our students' spirit and confidence is a constant challenge, but the reward lies in their understanding. It's essential to motivate more young indigenous people to engage in learning their ancestral language. However, lack of resources and limited Internet access in some of our communities limit our ability to reach and teach effectively. The presence of teaching staff in indigenous communities is therefore crucial to the successful transmission of our language. In addition, there is an urgent need to enrich our literature, train more teaching staff and improve our teaching materials." 

What is your hope for the future of the Tłı̨chǫ language?

Georgina: "My hope is that Collège Nordique will continue to work with indigenous peoples and the government to promote the teaching of all indigenous languages. It's vital that our language, as well as other languages like Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, Inuvialuktun, Gwich'in, and Cree, be preserved and flourish for generations to come." 

What message would you like to pass on to people who want to learn an indigenous language? 

Georgina: "I'd like to tell them that to commit to learning an indigenous language is to actively participate in the truth and reconciliation process. It's an opportunity to discover and honor the way of life of our ancestors. I invite them to embrace this enriching adventure, which goes far beyond language learning, to touch the very essence of our ancestral culture." 

This interview with Georgina highlights the importance of preserving indigenous languages like Tłı̨chǫ. Her commitment and passion for teaching her language are a reminder of the cultural richness that indigenous languages represent. Through education, collaboration, and open-mindedness, everyone can contribute to preserving these linguistic treasures for future generations.