Discussion groups at the workshop. Participants were asked a number of questions by the summer students about language in their lives.

Summary of 2013 Workshop

The Mi’gmaq Language Summer Workshop took place on August 6th, 2013 at the Listuguj Bingo Hall in Listuguj, QC beginning at 10 and ending at 3. This workshop was intended to increase motivation and support for those learning the language as well as inform community members about existing language-learning resources. It also created a inter-generational dialogue between community members to talk about their sentiments about the language. Members from around Listuguj – elders, summer students, adults, Mi’gmaq immersion children – attended. There were also two guest speakers, Bernard Jerome and Jaime Battiste from Gesgapegiag and Eskasoni, respectively. Booths were also set up around the venue for attendees to peruse. Booths included information on medicinal properties of plants, digital resources for Mi’gmaq language-learning, information on the Mi’gmaq immersion program and Mi’gmaq classes offered in Listuguj, and a booth on the benefits of bilingualism. There were about 70-80 people who attended. A breakfast of coffee, tea, doughnuts, bagels with cream cheese and butter was offered. Sandwiches, soups, and soda cans were provided for lunch.

Workshop overview

The Listuguj Education Directorate and the McGill Linguistics Department are hosting the first Mi’gmaq Language Summer Workshop on August 6th, 2013. This motivational workshop will inform community members about resources available for Mi’gmaq language-learning. There will be guest speakers, activities, and cultural booths set up around the venue to encourage and promote the Mi’gmaq language learning efforts that are ongoing in the community. There will also be a prize raffle at the end of the workshop.

Registration is free but if you are planning to attend we ask you to RSVP on the Facebook event page. If you have any questions or comments please email Carol (carolrlittle@gmail.com) or Yuliya (yuliyamanyakina@gmail.com).

Tentative Schedule (Subject to change) All times in NB time.

Tuesday August 6th – At the Listuguj Bingo Hall

(Cultural Booths/tables can be set up before or during breakfast hour)

10 am – Doors Open – coffee and breakfast (provided). Opening prayer.

10:30 am – General welcome from Listuguj Education Directorate, workshop organizers, and Chief Dean Vicaire. Pugwales singers and Mi’gmaq Immersion students sing Gepmite’tmnej to open workshop.

10:45-11:15 am – Guest Speaker (Bernard Jerome)

Former Gesgapegiaq chief and fluent Mi’gmaq speaker

11:15-12:00 pm – Guest Speaker (Jaime Battiste)

Citizenship coordinator at Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative and fluent Mi’gmaq Speaker

12:15-1:00 pm – LUNCH (provided)

1:10-2:00 pm – Student-organized activities

2-2:45 pm – Discussion groups

2:45-3:30 pm – Booth walk around

3-3:30 pm – Closing remarks/prayer and prize raffle (kobo mini)

3:30-4:00 pm – Final booth walk around

Booths around the venue will include:

Bernard Jerome – talk about the medicinal properties of plants and the significance of the pipe and drum
Listuguj Education Directorate – information on Mi’gmaq classes and Mi’gmaq langauge-learning references and resources
Vicky Metallic – resources and information on the Master-Apprentice Language-Learning Program in Listuguj
Gretchen McCulloch – tips from a linguist on learning an Algonquian language
Hisako Noguchi – information on the benefits of bilingualism

We gratefully acknowledge funding from the Social Sciences Research Council of Canada.

Pugwales singers opening at the Mi’gmaq Language Summer Workshop singer Gepmite’tmnej.

Mi'gmaq

language & linguistics

Mi’gmaq Language Summer Workshop