Honouring Sacred Lives: Remembering and Committing to Change
We gather in shared grief and reflection, remembering the devastating loss of 14 women at École Polytechnique 35 years ago.
here is a saying among our Grandmothers: “Our language is in our blood.” It runs through us like the rivers and streams that nourish the land. It carries our stories, our songs, our prayers. It holds the wisdom of those who came before us and guides us as we walk into the future.
Today, on National Indigenous Languages Day, we honour the languages of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. These are the languages that carry the teachings of our ancestors. They are the first sounds of this land. They hold knowledge that cannot be translated or replaced, because they are born of the land itself. They remind us of who we are.
At Grandmother’s Voice, we believe that language is not just words. Language is life. It is medicine. And it is through language that we find our way back to ourselves, our communities, and our purpose.
The Language of Creation
Our Elders teach us that language was given to us by the Creator. It was through the first breath that we received our sounds. These sounds—our languages—are woven into the winds that whisper through the trees and the songs of the birds greeting the morning. Every part of Creation has its own language, and as human beings, we were given the sacred responsibility to speak the language of our ancestors.
In many Indigenous Nations, words are more than communication; they are vibration, energy, and spirit. When we speak the names of our relatives—the animals, the waters, the medicines—we call them into relationship with us. We remember that we are not separate from the world around us. Our language brings us into harmony with all of Creation.
This is why the loss of language has been so devastating to Indigenous Peoples. Language loss is not just about forgetting words. It is about losing connection to identity, land, and spirit. And yet, we are still here. Our languages are still alive. And today, we celebrate their resilience.
Colonization Tried to Silence Us
There is no gentle way to speak about it: colonization was designed to erase Indigenous languages. Residential schools, Indian Day schools, and the Sixties Scoop took children away from their families, their lands, and their languages. Our children were punished—beaten, shamed, and traumatized—for speaking their mother tongues. The message was clear: to survive in this new world, we were told we had to forget who we were.
But survival was never enough. We were not made just to survive. We were made to thrive, to live fully in our identities, and to reclaim the languages that were stolen from us. Our Grandmothers and Grandfathers, who hid their words in their hearts, have now become our teachers. They remind us that it is never too late to come home to ourselves.
At Grandmother’s Voice, we often say: “It begins with a whisper.” The gentle sound of a word spoken after years of silence. The soft hum of a song remembered in a dream. The quiet teaching shared by an Elder to a grandchild. These whispers become stronger with each voice that joins them. And soon, they become songs, stories, ceremonies, and movements. Soon, they become the heartbeat of our Nations once again.
Language as Healing
Language revitalization is about more than words. It is about healing. When we speak our languages, we affirm our existence. We remind the world that we are still here, carrying ancient knowledge that the world desperately needs. Knowledge about the land, about how to live in balance, about how to be in good relationship with one another.
Many of the young people who come to Grandmother’s Voice are seeking that connection. Some are learning their first words of their ancestral languages. Some are learning songs or attending ceremonies for the first time. Some are learning that it is okay to take up space as an Indigenous person in a world that often tries to make them small.
Language is central to that healing. When a child learns to introduce themselves in their language, they stand taller. When an Elder hears their words spoken by the next generation, their heart swells with pride. When we sing our songs on the land, we heal not only ourselves but the land itself.
Grandmother’s Voice: Carrying the Language Forward
At Grandmother’s Voice, language is woven into everything we do. Our Elders—Renee, Gail, Dennis, Allen—carry stories and teachings that are deeply rooted in their Nations’ languages. Whether it is Allen Sutherland sharing the star teachings in Anishinaabemowin, or Gail offering songs in her Nation’s words, the power of language surrounds our work.
We offer programs that encourage people of all ages to speak their language, no matter how much or how little they know. We believe that every word spoken is a seed planted. And from those seeds grow strong roots that connect us back to our ancestors.
Grandmother’s Voice is also part of a larger movement of Indigenous Peoples reclaiming their languages. Across this land, communities are running immersion programs, teaching children and adults, creating dictionaries, songs, and online resources. We are finding new ways to carry forward old words. Whether through technology or ceremony, our languages are alive and growing.
And we are reminded that this is not work we do alone. Language revitalization is a communal responsibility. It is something we do together, in circles, with love and patience. Just as a grandmother teaches a child to weave a basket or make a drum, we teach each other to speak, to listen, and to remember.
Why Language Matters for Everyone
On National Indigenous Languages Day, we invite everyone—Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike—to reflect on the importance of language. Indigenous languages hold knowledge that can help heal this land. They hold understandings about how to live in balance, how to take only what is needed, and how to give back more than we take.
When Indigenous languages are strong, communities are strong. And when communities are strong, everyone benefits.
But revitalizing languages is not just the responsibility of Indigenous Peoples. It requires support from governments, educational institutions, and everyday Canadians who recognize the value of this work. It requires space—on the land, in the schools, in the hearts of those willing to listen.
An Invitation to Walk With Us
At Grandmother’s Voice, we walk with those who are ready to remember. Whether you are reclaiming your language or supporting someone else in doing so, you are part of this story.
Today, we celebrate every voice that speaks the old words. Every heart that listens. Every hand that writes them down for the next generation. And every spirit that carries the memory of a language deep inside, waiting to be sung again.
Our languages are not lost. They are here, alive, in the land, the water, the wind—and in you.
Chi-miigwetch. Nia:wen’kowa. Merci. Thank you for walking this path with us.
We gather in shared grief and reflection, remembering the devastating loss of 14 women at École Polytechnique 35 years ago.
Taken from the foreword of Voices of the Land, 1993. When the Elders met at the gathering “The Voice of
Grandmother’s Voice: Creating opportunities for Indigenous community members to share their teachings, healing practices and traditional handicraft creation with the broader community.
Elevating Indigenous Knowledge and Culture across Halton Region has been the foundation of our organization. Collectively, we continue to serve as a beacon for building awareness and fostering connectedness. Rooted in our Nation’s origins, we are dedicated to enhancing capacity and illuminating the landscape of Indigenous social services and determinants of health. Join us on this transformative journey as we strive to strengthen bonds, raise awareness, and contribute to the well-being of our communities.
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Presented by Samantha Doxtater
Presented by GRANDMA RENEE
In a world seeking direction, Indigenous teachings offer clear and enduring policies for how to live in harmony with one another and the Earth. This workshop invites participants to explore the profound lessons of the Two Row Wampum Belt and other wampum belts as frameworks for mutual respect, environmental care, and collective well-being. These belts, created long before colonization, embody ancestral agreements that guide humanity on how to coexist with honor, dignity, and reciprocity.
Led by Grandmother Renee, this session emphasizes the importance of relearning and honoring the policies established by our ancestors, rather than creating new paths disconnected from this wisdom. Through the teachings of the belts, participants will uncover the principles of self-care, stewardship of the land, and respect for all beings. This is not about inventing something new—it is about rediscovering the instructions that were always there and committing to uphold them.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will be reminded that the wisdom of the belts is not only a guide for Indigenous communities but a path for all of humanity to walk together in respect and care for one another and the Earth.
Presented by Grandma Gail and Angela DeMontigny
Ceremony is more than tradition—it is a deliberate practice rooted in wisdom, responsibility, and foresight. This workshop explores the “science of ceremony” as a guide to living with intention and accountability for the next seven generations. Our ancestors used ceremony to prepare for the future, ensuring that their actions would benefit not only their own time but also those yet to come. Now, it is our responsibility to carry that practice forward.
Led by Grandmother Gail, this session will examine what has been lost and the actions we must take to restore, respect, and reclaim the ceremonial practices that ensure the well-being of future generations. Participants will be encouraged to reconnect with ceremony as a means of healing, reflection, and renewal, building a foundation of responsibility to guide us in restoring balance and harmony.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will rediscover the transformative power of ceremony as a pathway to healing, accountability, and preparation for a sustainable and harmonious future. Together, we will reaffirm our responsibility to the generations to come.
Presented by Asha Frost
Join Asha Frost, an Indigenous healer, teacher, and bestselling author, for a transformative workshop rooted in traditional teachings and the power of self-discovery. Asha’s work often centers on reconnecting with ancestral wisdom, embracing one’s authentic self, and creating pathways for healing and empowerment. Drawing from her Anishinaabe roots, she weaves stories, teachings, and practical tools to inspire participants to reclaim their power and align with their purpose.
Through her signature blend of traditional healing practices and modern insights, Asha guides participants in understanding how to honor their own journey, navigate challenges with resilience, and embrace the interconnectedness of all beings. This workshop is an invitation to explore the sacred within and around us, fostering personal growth and collective transformation.
Key Takeaways:
Whether you are seeking personal healing, professional inspiration, or a deeper connection to traditional wisdom, this session with Asha Frost promises to be a profound and enriching experience.
Presented by Allen Sutherland
The Seven Fires prophecy, as shared by seven prophets across different time periods, offers profound guidance for humanity’s path forward. According to Anishinaabe oral tradition, these teachings speak to the choices we face when the world has been polluted, and the waters turned bitter by disrespect. The prophecy teaches that humanity must choose between materialism and spirituality—one path leading to survival and the other to destruction.
In this workshop, Mishoomis Allen will guide participants through the teachings of the Seven Fires prophecy, exploring its relevance in today’s world and its call for spiritual renewal. Additionally, he will share his Canadian Indigenous Historical Timeline, providing a broader context for understanding the cultural, social, and spiritual significance of these teachings.
Key Takeaways:
This workshop offers an opportunity to reflect deeply on humanity’s collective responsibility and the transformative power of choosing a spiritual path for the survival of future generations.
Presented by Thohahoken Michael Doxtater
In this session, Thohahoken Michael Doxtater explores the ongoing impact of Canada’s colonial policies on Indigenous communities and the historical journey toward Truth and Reconciliation. He examines the systemic attempts to erase Indigenous identity, from residential schools to the suppression of cultural practices, and highlights Indigenous resilience and legal resistance. The presentation also delves into the concept of the “Canada Rafter,” a historical agreement acknowledging Canada’s adoption into the Indigenous Longhouse, raising the question: Has Canada truly upheld its responsibilities in this relationship?