Do You Speak My Language: We’koqma’q First Nation, Nova Scotia

16:12 min. 2011

Over 2 weeks at the We’koqom’a Mi’kmaw School in Waycobah First Nation Cape Breton, a collaborative video project was done with the multi-media students exploring the impact school (past and present) has had on their language and culture? “Do you speak my language” combines interviews with elders and students, an exploration of Rita Joe’s poem “I Lost My Talk”, traditional singing, a rap and spoken word song written by the youth and stories of how the students are trying to reconnect with their language.

“Minuekeyek Ntlisutimnen”
We’re getting it back
“Apaja’tuek Ntlisutimnen”
The talk you thought that was lost
“Ntlisutimnen ta’n tela’sioq keska’qek kisna entu’ek”
Through the elders and through the stories
“Teli apaja’tuek nkisiku’mna’q aqq atukaqniktuk”
We try and try, as everyday goes by
“Mlki wjinukwalsultiek te’sikiskik apaja’tunen ntlisutimnen”
We needa make a change cause no I don’t have it
Eh yo do you speak my language

Lyrics from song “Do you speak my language” written by Dylan Googoo and Brittany Prosper

Elders

Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy, Magit Poulette, Phyllis Googoo, Caroline Gould, Marjorie Gould, Ron Philips

Artists

Ariella Pahlke (development, video production, documentary), Ann Verrall (development, script writing, directing, editing)

Visual Artist Mentor: Dozay Christmas

Song Creation: Scott MacMillan, Scojen Music Productions

Roxy Peterson (photography)