The Idaa TsSA国际影视传媒檃de gathering at Behchoko in March presented many opportunities for youth to learn from and listen to Elders.

It openly revived the intergenerational connection that our T艂icho knowledge system traditionally thrives upon. This is where I was gifted the chance to have a spirited discussion about language revitalization with Behchoko Elder Rosa Mantla. This is the first in a two-part series featuring MantlaSA国际影视传媒檚 recollections of her life.

SA国际影视传媒淚 grew up with my parents out on the land. My teachers were my parents, my grandparents, and people that live among us out on the land, especially my friends, because when we live on the land there were always children my age, and even the Elders were always there,SA国际影视传媒� says Mantla.

SA国际影视传媒淭he land has really taught me as well too, because with natural animals and the birds singing, itSA国际影视传媒檚 so beautiful that when I think about it I feel so fortunate.

SA国际影视传媒淚 like to see where I was born, up the river. Also I like to see the barrenlands, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 where our people harvest caribou every year. Also thereSA国际影视传媒檚 so much richness, if you know the land, especially when you love the land for a purpose.

SA国际影视传媒淲e live our culture even to this day because we have people that practice our living, also our traditions. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 just ongoing, especially for celebrations, traditional way of doing things together SA国际影视传媒� weSA国际影视传媒檙e together.

SA国际影视传媒淪trong advocating for people to speak the language, and support, is something that we need. For many years, I used to work here as a classroom assistant, since the SA国际影视传媒�70s. At that time, we didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have cultural or language programs. But there were many of us that still have that gift of knowledge.

SA国际影视传媒淪ometimes I think about all the young people, especially the youth now, that donSA国际影视传媒檛 speak their language. And if they continue not to use it, or to save their language, and cultural or even traditional lifestyle, they wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be able to have it.

SA国际影视传媒淎nd like I said in the classroom, if they donSA国际影视传媒檛 speak their language, theySA国际影视传媒檙e not T艂icho. They have no identity. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 what our Elders used to tell us when they talk to us.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen I went to Victoria, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 many young people your age, male and female. There were many of them that lost their language. So they were taking the course to gain it back. So they found a lot of ways of taking information, working with Elders, doing research in the library, or even from their history where they can find it.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭o see other people struggling, maybe our people are not seeing that, so they feel that our language will always be with us. It wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be. They need good instructors. Like, we have the T艂icho yatii program in our school for many years. At the beginning, it went really well because we were trained and we also worked with Elders, and the support was there. Now we have so much rotation.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚f they provide funding for these programs and have many of our people trained, especially if theySA国际影视传媒檙e going to be making a commitment to become teachers for language and cultural, that would be a miracle. Richard Van Camp talks about miracles, maybe thatSA国际影视传媒檚 what I need.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲hen they offer courses, some are not really there to learn. They participate, but over the last few years weSA国际影视传媒檝e been observing a lot of courses that have been offered. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e not really there with their heart. Their passion is not there. You have to have passion to do what you love and for the future. If they donSA国际影视传媒檛 have passion for learning their own language and culture, it wonSA国际影视传媒檛 work.SA国际影视传媒�

Next week: SA国际影视传媒榊ou canSA国际影视传媒檛 give up on yourself or the kids.SA国际影视传媒�