What Language Means to Us

Hi, my name is Shaelynn. I am a ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Nation Member. I have grown up outside of my community and culture, spending the last few years reconnecting.

In my journey I have realized an emphasis on connection with land and language; how these two parts of our lives are integral to our identity and being. Not only are we in a time of reconnection, we are in a time of revitalization and reviving.

I have been over to my family’s traditional territory a small handful of times in my life, the longest periods being the summer of 2023 and 2024. In July 2023 I spent 10 days with my family, in August 2024 I spent two weeks with my family, and a third week paddling in Clayoquot Sound. There, we spend time together, get to know each other, and share what we know about culture and language. When I go and see my family, my Auntie tells me I am home.

I do my best to look for positives, for things to be grateful for. Even though the past generations of our people and communities have gone through hardship, trauma, disconnect and assimilation, we are still here. The Residential Schools of Canada were effective but not successful in their goal of assimilation. We are still here reconnecting with community and culture, we are still here reviving our language and connection with the land. That is where I am now, for my family. Trying to do my part to reconnect and revive.

I feel grateful, even in all the pain and healing, to be where I am today. Not just me, but Indigenous communities globally. We are in a time of unprecedented connection and resource. I am able to go on my computer every Monday and Wednesday at 6PM and join nation members for language classes. I am able to go onto youtube, facebook, and my nation's website and hear elders speak our language and break down the sounds of our alphabet. We are able to share and reference this through a screen and a connection.

Yes, all we have gone through is painful. Yes, I wonder what life would be like without that pain, trauma and hardship. Yes, I hurt for my family who is hurt and I carry that pain today.

I am doing this for them. I am doing this for my Great Grandmother, Mary Hayes, who was trying to teach my sisters and I our language when she was in the hospital. I am doing this for my Grandmother, who has done everything she can to keep her children and grandchildren safe and healthy. I am doing this for my Dad, I know he knows how I feel and the struggles of growing up Indigenous in a system and country that was not built for us. I am doing this for my nephews, so they can know who we are and where we come from. I am doing this for my family, family in the past, present and future. For the children I may one day have, so I can raise them with culture, connection to land and hope.

I have been scared of reconnecting, of not being “native” enough. I have been scared of doing things in the wrong way, and of not being accepted. The fear is ingrained, the shame is not mine. But everything happens for a reason, and we will always be where we are meant to be.

I started Zoom classes with my nation, and a language department member has shared with me audio clips of my Great Grandmother, speaking our language. I can hear her speak, I can hear her sing.

I am doing it for them.