Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization Project

Don’t forget to enter our social media contest by sharing your pictures and videos from Mâmawô-wîcihitowin: All people helping each other on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok. To enter, use the hashtag #silrgathering2026. We’re excited to see how you spent your SILR Gathering!

We’re excited to share that conference registration is now officially SOLD OUT! Thank you for the incredible interest and support! We’re looking forward to welcoming a full and vibrant gathering. For those who secured a spot, we can’t wait to see you soon. If you weren’t able to register this year, we encourage you to follow along here for updates, highlights, and key moments from the event. Stay tuned - it’s going to be a meaningful and inspiring few days! silr.ca #SILRGathering2026

Our voices carry our history, and our future. We are honored to share the finalized program for the 2026 SILR Gathering. This gathering is more than just a schedule of events; it is a space for us to come together, share strategies, and strengthen the heartbeat of our languages for the generations to come. Swipe through to see our panels, workshops, keynote speakers, and more. There is still time to join our circle. We invite you to register and add your voice to this vital work! Register here: /e/supporting-indigenous-language-revitalization-gathering-2026 #SILRGathering2026 #LanguageRevitalization #IndigenousVoices

We’re excited to announce a new program: Voices in Relation, powered by The Polyglot in partnership with Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization (SILR) @silrproject . This program supports the gathering of intergenerational creators (e.g., writers, poets, multimedia artists, storytellers, language keepers, and cultural practitioners) whose creative work contributes to the vitality of Indigenous languages and cultures. 📍 Where & When Sign-ups open until: May 5, 2026 Program Period: May – July 2026 Location: 4 in-person gatherings in Edmonton, AB (hybrid-digital options available based on applicant locations). 🎨 The Experience: Join us for creative workshops, co-mentorship, and "co-playing" spaces. Outcomes may include everything from fiber art and sculpture to storytelling and multimedia performance. 📖 Publication & Celebration: Participants will have the opportunity to be featured in The Polyglot (Issue 19) and showcase their work at a public celebration during LitFest on October 18, 2026. 🤝 Community Steward Roles: We are seeking 4 Indigenous participants for paid Community Steward roles ($500 stipend) to help foster care, connection, and relational accountability within the program. ✨ Sign Up Now: Priority is given to Indigenous creators of all ages, all experience levels, working in any artistic medium, and either actively engaging in—or curious about—Indigenous language revitalization. We are also welcoming creatives who are non-Indigenous allies, participating with care and respect, in alignment with the shared stewardship of Indigenous languages and stories as Treaty people. #polyglot #indigenouslanguages #indigenousart #creativevoices #supportingindigenouslanguagerevitalization

Panel Spotlight: Storytelling with the Aunties (STWTA) We are honored to feature a powerful panel from the University of Alberta, exploring one of SILR’s projects: Storytelling with the Aunties. The Heart of Kinship Storytelling with the Aunties (STWTA) is a movement that centers the vital cultural role of the “Auntie” to strengthen community through kinship. By creating people- and place-based children’s literature, this project interrupts settler-colonial narratives and reclaims the space for Michif and Cree stories in education and wellbeing. Meet the Panelists This session brings together the voices of the women and girls leading this resurgence, including partners from the Métis community of St. Louis, SK, Parks Canada Batoche, and amiskwaciy Academy. Trudy & Cindy (Visiting Aunties at amiskwaciy): Co-leads who are passionate about using the artistic practice of children’s books to share teachings with the communities they love. Angela & Megan (Métis PhD Students): Sharing how this project intersects with their doctoral research in education and their personal engagement with the language. What to Expect: Amplifying Voices: Discover how STWTA elevates the diverse variations of Michif and Cree languages as told and experienced by the women themselves. Creative Resistance: Learn how children-centered stories serve as a tool for interrupting colonialism and fostering intergenerational healing. Place-Based Literature: Explore how local stories and lands (from Batoche to amiskwaciy) inform the creation of new resources for families and educators. “We are reclaiming the place of children-centered stories in education, rooted in the teachings and variations of the languages we live.” Join us to experience how the “Auntie” way of knowing is shaping the future of Indigenous literacy and kinship. Register now: https://bit.ly/49KyGQE #SILRGathering2026

Artist Spotlight: Jana Angulalik & Brittney Ullulaq Porter Get ready for an unforgettable close to a conference day on April 28th! We are honored to welcome Jana Angulalik and Brittney Ullulaq Porter to the stage for a powerful performance of traditional Inuit throat singing. The Heartbeat of the North Throat singing (katajjaq) is more than just music—it is a storied tradition of connection, breath, and cultural resilience. Jana and Brittney bring this ancient art form into the modern space, sharing the rhythmic games and hauntingly beautiful melodies that have been passed down through generations of Inuit women. What to Expect: Breathtaking Synchronicity: Experience the incredible vocal technique and “musical conversation” unique to throat singing. Cultural Connection: A celebration of Inuit identity and the reclamation of traditional practices. A High-Energy Finale: The perfect way to transition from the head-space of the conference to the heart-space of the community. “Their voices carry the history of the land and the spirit of a culture that continues to thrive and innovate.” Don’t miss the chance to experience this mesmerizing performance live! Register now: https://bit.ly/49KyGQE #SILRGathering2026

Speaker Spotlight: Dr. Chuutsqa L. Rorick As a Hesquiaht First Nations researcher and the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Language Revitalization at the University of Victoria, Dr. Rorick is a powerhouse in the movement to bring ancestral languages back into daily life. Dr. Rorick’s work doesn’t just happen in a classroom—it happens on the land. From 100-hour immersion camps to grassroots programs, she has spent over 15 years collaborating with fluent Elders to ensure the Nuu-chah-nulth language flourishes for generations to come. Join us as Dr. Rorick shares the success story of Hesquiaht Language Month. She’ll walk us through the “strategies that stuck” during the February 2026 after-school sessions, offering a blueprint for: - Integrating language into schools without formal language classes. - Moving immersion from the archive to the dinner table. - The power of intergenerational, community-driven teaching. “Language is not just a subject to be studied—it is a living practice.” Don’t miss this chance to learn from a leader at the intersection of land-based teaching, ethical digital innovation, and Indigenous data sovereignty. Register now: https://bit.ly/49KyGQE #SILRGathering2026

Speaker Spotlight: Healing Through the Heart of Language & Song We are honored to welcome Sterlling Daychief (Nehîyaw/Anishinaabe) & Bearwalker Daychief to our conference for a session that promises to be both powerful and deeply grounding. Language is more than just words—it is our connection to creation, the land, and the stars. Raised in a traditional, cycle-free home on the Sunchild First Nation, Sterlling carries the teachings of respected Knowledge Keepers and Elders into every part of her life. Sterlling will lead us through an exploration of how Nehîyaw and Anishinaabe songs and language serve as vital tools for navigating grief and finding a path toward healing. Sterlling’s life work is dedicated to “walking in both worlds”—balancing a career in healthcare with a deep commitment to preserving the natural law structures of her people. She brings a wealth of experience from teaching across Turtle Island to share these essential tools for community health and intergenerational resilience. Join us for this moving session on reclaiming our roles, our language, and our well-being. Register now: https://bit.ly/49KyGQE (link in bio.) #SILRGathering2026

Speaker Spotlight: Master the Art of Nêhiyawêwin Syllabics! We are honored to introduce Neil Redcrow, a dedicated educator and language keeper, who will be leading a deep dive into the heart of the Cree language at our upcoming conference. Neil’s journey with Nêhiyawêwin (Cree) is one of profound dedication. After beginning his formal syllabics study in 2014, Neil earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Blue Quills University and has spent nearly a decade teaching and learning alongside Elders to gain fluency, spiritual insight, and the art of traditional storytelling. Whether you are a beginner or a lifelong learner, Neil’s teachings offer a rare opportunity to connect with the language in a way that is both academic and deeply soulful. Don’t miss this chance to learn from a storyteller and scholar dedicated to keeping the Nêhiyawêwin spirit alive. Register now: https://bit.ly/49KyGQE (link in bio) #SILRGathering2026

VOLUNTEERS WANTED: Mâmawô-wîcihitowin – All people helping each other Our languages are our healing, and we need your help to bring the 2026 SILR Gathering to life! We are looking for volunteers to join us at the Edmonton Convention Centre this April 27 - 29, 2026. Whether you’re a student looking for experience, a language champion, or someone who just loves to help, there’s a place for you in our circle! Roles Include: Greeting & Registration, Supporting our Elders, Wayfinding, and General Support. Apply here: https://forms.gle/SfrwAnjrB2ktZw6KA Questions? Email us at [email protected] #SILRGathering2026 #volunteersneeded #volunteerswanted #edmontonvolunteers

We’re excited to welcome Leo & Priscilla McGilvery to the 2026 SILR Gathering! Leo McGilvery and Priscilla McGilvery are dedicated Indigenous language and cultural advocates who have committed their lives to strengthening and revitalizing their ancestral language through community teaching, mentorship, and ceremony. With decades of combined experience supporting learners of all ages, Leo and Priscilla are respected knowledge keepers who center land-based learning, intergenerational connection, and the importance of language as identity. Their work continues to inspire communities to reclaim, celebrate, and carry their language forward for future generations. We are honored to have them presenting at the SILR Gathering on April 29th! Will we see you at the Gathering? Register now at the link in our bio! #SILRGathering2026

@robertaalook is a proud member of the Bigstone Cree Nation and a passionate advocate for Indigenous language revitalization, cultural resurgence, and community wellness. With extensive experience in leadership, education, and community engagement, she has dedicated her work to strengthening Cree language, supporting Indigenous learners, and advancing culturally grounded initiatives. Roberta brings a strong commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices and fostering meaningful connections through her work, and we are honoured to welcome her to our conference. Roberta will be leading the Youth Presentation on April 28th. Will we see you at the Gathering? Register now at the link in our bio! #SILRGathering2026