What inspired you to pursue studies with SFU’s Indigenous Language Program? 

I am graduating with a Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency, focusing on Hul’q’umi’num. I felt a strong pull to deepen my connection to learn my language for myself, my children, my family and the generations that come after us. 

Please tell us about the impact that your instructors had on your success. 

I couldn’t pin point it to one instructor, Elder or Assistant alone. Each instructor brought something different to my learning journey whether it was their humour, stories, examples, knowledge, technique and personal experience. Every instructor carried different teachings of patience, practicing, and simply just showing up. Learning a language is challenging and it is very encouraging to know that there are many people in this network willing to share their own learning experiences along the way. 

What were your greatest challenges and how did you overcome obstacles? 

One of my greatest challenges was balancing being a mother (my children are 13, 2 and now 9 months), working professionally, supporting my family, and showing up as a student. I’ve had many moments of doubt and wondered why we have a significant load to carry; reclaiming our language, healing our families and showing up as our best selves, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Most days it was showing up tired and studying when the kids went to bed. 

Who would you like to acknowledge for their support along your journey? 

My partner and my children are my biggest supporters and inspiration. I wish my grandparents were still here, to see this important work happening, they would be so proud, seeing me and my children learning the Hul’q’umi’num language.

If you could give one piece of advice to yourself when you first started the program, what would it be? 

Don’t rush. Language is not like any other program, it is one you approach with humility, openness, and lean into a process of unlearning. Listen to the Elders who say it is just as important to listen with your ears first as it is to start reading the paper. Also, don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s, it is okay to start with where you are. 

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

Language learning is healing, unlearning, re-learning and everything related to how we see the world, and for me that is woven into my personal, professional, community and family life/work. 

This program has reminded me that language learning is going back to something that has always been mine, something that was lost within me, but always in me at the same time. I have always treated it as a responsibility. 

For me, the program is not the end goal, it is just the start.