Laura Burnouf looking to revitalize Michif language during retirement

Throughout the next 10 years, Burnouf taught in several communities starting in Red Earth Cree Nation then in Canoe Lake Cree First Nation, Big Island Lake Cree Nation, La Loche and Pinehouse Lake. It was while she was teaching in Pinehouse when she met Sister Anna McNally, who was the field coordinator for the Northern Teacher Education Program (NORTEP) at the time. Burnouf stated McNally thought she was a good mentor for interns in the community and encouraged her to apply to work for the teacher’s program.

“Northern Light School Division let me go for what I was thinking was one or two years, but it turned out being 23 years,” adding she started in 1995 with others including Ray Smith, who also retired this spring from Northlands College.

During her time at NORTEP, Burnouf was mostly responsible for teaching Cree classes, Indigenous studies and math. At first, she said she didn’t know how to teach Cree to others, adding she would say a word and teach it a few times and expect students to know it on a test. It was at this time Burnouf began learning more about second-language acquisition.

In 1999, Burnouf attended a four-week program with the American Indian Language Development Program in Arizona, where she became passionate about teaching Indigenous languages. At the program, she noted there were many concerned raised about how only a handful of people left who could speak their native language.

“I was taking it for granted because our language was so strong here,” Burnouf said.

At NORTEP, Burnouf was involved in many projects such as the culture committee and as editor of the school’s newsletter. While teaching at the program, she also earned a Masters of Education degree from the University of Alberta in 2005. In June 2018, she received a Masters of Indigenous Languages Revitalization from the University of Victoria. Burnouf most recently taught at Northlands starting in 2016 until spring of this year.

Laura Burnouf received a retirement gift from Northlands College. (submitted photo/Roland Corrigal)

In the coming years, Burnouf wants to spend time develop curriculum and resources for the Michif language. She noted she’s also interested in technology, adding she recently found an app she can develop to assist teachers in using the Michif language in the classroom. It’s important teachers have an understanding of an Indigenous language because it provides a unique world view.

“It’s a way of looking at the world,” Burnouf said. “You seem to categorize things in different ways. One word can have so much meaning to the culture, the history and spirituality. I’m just so afraid if nobody speaks it anymore. I’m one of the last generations, but my son knows it and I’m teaching him more.”

As for advice for other teachers, she stated live in the moment, stay strong and don’t be afraid to reach out to the community for support. Burnouf added teachers should also educate themselves on a number of topics to be knowledgeable in many areas.

“You have to remember that you’re not in this alone and you don’t have to solve everything on your own,” she said.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno

by Derek Cornet

Laura Burnouf looking to revitalize Michif language during retirement

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