How to be a Kwak̓wala Ally
When you buy Kwak̓wala Resources, you give a resource to Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw Language Learners
Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw community leaders have been working to revitalize Kwak̓wala throughout, and since, its attempted erasure by European settler institutions in the 19th and 20th centuries. The first major step to consolidate Kwakʼwala language knowledge came in 1979 when Gloria Cranmer-Webster, Agnes Cranmer, and Margaret Cook with the assistance of linguist James (Jay) Powell, created a written Kwak̓wala sound chart and comprehensive 12-part educational book set. The book set included audio lessons narrated by Powell, summarizing teachings on Kwak̓wala pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. When the U’mista Cultural Centre opened the following year in 1980, the sound chart and book series became important parts of the Society’s resources. From these foundational materials, U’mista has since created themed Kwak̓wala flash cards on topics such as plants and flora, an educational card game called In and Out, a book of Kwak̓wala numbers and counting, numerous language recordings on the First Voices database, and a Kwak̓wala version of the children’s story I Love You Forever in book and audiobook format.
Each of these materials are available for purchase on the U’mista website. For every sale, U’mista will donate the same item to a Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw community member to assist in their reclamation of the language
The term “ally” has become commonplace in the language of culture and social justice—but what does it mean? An ally is someone who is willing to learn, question, and demand change. An Indigenous ally, specifically, recognizes the position of privilege they hold as a member of settler society and actively uses that privilege to create equity, operating in solidarity with Indigenous peoples.
These important and difficult pieces of the past inform how we as Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw approach current work such as the Language Revitalization Planning Project (LRPP). Language is the foundation of our cultural identity. The LRPP combats decades of policy aimed at stamping out the Kwak̓wala language. By supporting the LRPP, Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw allies can fulfil two major ally roles: learning and enabling opportunity. For every language resource bought from the LRPP (such as alphabet posters, counting books, and plant cards) the U’mista Cultural Society will gift a resource to a Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw language learner to help them reclaim their language.
