Aboriginal teachings, culture and traditions and perhaps most importantly, language is critical for the future of our nations and the wellbeing of our children and families.  

Aboriginal teachings are not linear, they are interconnected – the complex web of our language, teachings and practices are designed to ensure that our children are raised in a caring, loving, nurturing, healthy and safe environment, and that our families in our communities are supported.    Long before a child learns to speak, their identity is formed – they begin to know who they are and where they come from, an important part of our teachings as First Nations people.  Their identity is shaped in various ways such as baby-naming ceremonies.  In this ceremony, families of the community gather, it is here the baby and parents learn the importance of that support. A fire in the centre of the longhouse/big house is burning and the aroma of traditional foods being served surrounds them– all these support the child’s sensory development.  The baby hears the drumming and singing, he feels the spirit of the gathering and the ancestors, he feels the warmth and security of people around him, he tastes the traditional food and throughout his life he develops a pride and a sense of belonging to be part of a rich culture and a strong nation.

Our language is inextricably linked to our teachings, it is not separate.  The values and teachings of our ancestors, for thousands of years, have been passed on to the next generations through our oral traditions of storytelling, our origin stories, our legends, and our songs.  There is a great depth of knowledge contained within the words we speak.   Some of our words cannot be translated into English, so our teachings rely on the understanding of our traditional language.  From a very young age, we are taught in the feast halls, potlatches and gatherings that we must listen to the speaker.  It is our responsibility to sit respectfully to listen, to learn and to bear witness to the ceremonies...all of this is in our traditional language.  Through our ceremonies and teachings of our values, we strengthen not only our identity but also we gain strength as people.  It is our pathway to healing and to a better future for our children and families.  Inherent within our traditional systems and structures are ways of knowing, ways of being and ways of doing that are designed to take care of our people, to take care of our children and families.

Written by ‘Naa-mehl
Marcia Dawson
Provincial Aboriginal Coordinator,
Success By 6 BC

‘Naa-mehl is from the Gitxsan Nation, she is Lax Gibuu (wolf clan) and Wilp Haizimsque (House of Chief Haizimsque). ‘Naa-mehl lives in Victoria with her husband who is Kwa’kwakawakw and their four sons.

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