Tłı̨chǫ Dictionary Workshop

Yatı nı̨htł’è ts’ǫǫ̀hk’e ełets’eèhdı̀ı - Ezǫdzęę̀zaà, 9 ts’ǫ 14 ts’ǫ̀, 2015 - Charlıe Charlo Nı̨htł’èkǫ̀Dictionary Workshop - November 9-14, 2015A dictionary workshop was held last week in Behchokǫ̀, organized by staff of the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency and the Culture and Lands Protection Department of the Tłı̨chǫ Government. The workshop drew together community members from the four communities and workshop leaders Rosa Mantla, Tony Rabesca, Cecilia Zoe Martin, and Mary Siemens. The discussion was on the next edition of the Tłı̨chǫ dictionary to be printed, the on-line multi-media dictionary (tlicho.ling.uvic.ca), and how work can go forward to strengthen Tłı̨chǫ language and culture in our communities and in our schools. One workshop contributor emphasized the role of our community in strengthening Tłı̨chǫ culture and language. As he said, “Goxı̨ adets’edlee zǫ t’à goyatıı̀ nàtso ha hǫt’e ne”. (Only by doing it ourselves will our language be strong)Our visitors included John B. Zoe, Lucy Lafferty, Leslie Saxon, and Deezǫ̀ą Mantla, Elę̀ę Bekale and their kindergarten class. The meeting room was full of the sounds of the Tłı̨chǫ language from children, youth, adults, and elders, many stories and songs, and the passionate voices of committed community members saying, “Goyatıı̀, gonàowoò weghǫnets’eètǫ dı̀ı̀” (we really love our language and our culture), “Goyatıı̀ wedę edaxàts’eda ha dı̀ı̀” (we can’t survive without our language), “Goyatıı̀ k’èts’edı̀ ha hǫt’e” (we have to protect our language), “Goyatıı̀ wet’àaɂàh ne!” (our language is truly important), “Łèet’ı̨ı̨ ats’ı̨t’e, goyatıı̀ t’à ełexègots’edo nı̨dè, goı̨nàà, gogha sı̀goèt’ı̨, wet’à gonı̀ nàtso” (we are all related, and when we talk with each other in our language, we are happy, it’s exciting for us, and it strengthens our minds).For more information please contactRosa Mantla Tłı̨chǫ Language Culture Coordinator 867-392-3037

Release Date: 
November 9, 2015
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