Tsitewatá:ti: Let Us Speak Again! Indigenous Language Symposium | April 23 and 24, 2026
The Faculty of Arts Institute for Indigenous Research and Knowledges (FAIIRK) at Թ hosted the Indigenous Language Symposium, Tsitewatá:ti: Let Us Speak Again!, on April 23 and 24, 2026.
The symposium took place at Թ in Tiohtià:ke, on the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka. Most activities, including panels and Indigenous vendors, were held in the SSMU Ballroom at 3480 Rue McTavish.
Tsitewatá:ti: Let Us Speak Again! brought together Indigenous language keepers, scholars, teachers, translators, archivists, and community practitioners from Turtle Island, Hawaiʻi, and Aotearoa to share strategies for continuity, resurgence, and future directions. The symposium supported knowledge sharing, strengthened relationships, and contributed to ongoing language revitalization in communities.
Indigenous vendors were also present on April 23 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
See the full schedule, panels, and speaker bios here:
Watch the Event on Youtube
Cheyenne Rain LeGrande
FAIIRK hosted a series of events with Artist in Residence Cheyenne Rain LeGrande ᑭᒥᐊᐧᐣ, a Nehiyaw artist from Bigstone Cree Nation. Programming included a hands-on workshop on weaving ribbon and pop can tabs, where participants created bracelets using techniques drawn from Cheyenne’s practice.
The artist talk, Nehiyaw Alien, explored Cheyenne’s work across installation, photography, fashion, video, sound, public art, and performance, engaging themes of tradition and nehiyaw pop culture.
The residency concluded with the performance Mullyanne Nîmito, which featured Cheyenne’s singing as well as dancing alongside powwow dancers.
