National Indigenous Languages Day at Durham Catholic District School Board

March 31 is National Indigenous Languages Day. To celebrate and honour Indigenous languages in Canada, DCDSB students and educators have been reflecting on the importance of language preservation.

In some DCDSB Kindergarten classrooms, students learned to say “Hello” in Anishinaabemowin. Students were taught the short song “Aanii Boozhoo” to help them remember the words in Anishinaabemowin, the language of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island.

Grade 11 students across various DCDSB secondary schools participated in a sound-based learning activity for Anishinaabemowin. They interacted with and deconstructed words to learn the Anishinaabemowin world view and that direct translations do not always apply. Students also reflected on the importance of language to a culture’s knowledge systems. This lesson was taught in the Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices course, which focuses on contemporary Indigenous voices and artistic expressions in Canada.

Grade 7 and 8 students at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic School created a language board to show their appreciation and respect for Indigenous languages. This display honours 14 Indigenous languages and is showcased in the front foyer of the school. The Grade 7 and 8 students also shared their own languages to celebrate and reflect on the unique and wonderful community at their school.

Thank you to all the classes that shared their passion and ongoing commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The DCDSB remains dedicated to continuous learning and to walking the path together with Indigenous community partners. Learn more about Indigenous Education at DCDSB by visiting dcdsb.ca/IndigenousEducation.