Syllabics
For Natalie Langan, reconnecting with her language has been a journey of resilience and dedication. After 20 years of not speaking Saulteaux, she embarked on a mission to re-learn and revitalize the language—not just for herself, but for others who want to do the same.
Langan, executive assistant to the Vice President of University Relations at First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv), based out of the Regina Campus, recognized the challenges of reading and writing in Saulteaux and took it upon herself to create three beginner-level language booklets to make learning easier. These booklets introduce new words and phrases at each level, using phonetics and simple reading techniques to enhance understanding. Each booklet also comes with a live Zoom class, allowing learners to engage and practice together.
In addition to the booklets, she has also created a 2025 Saulteaux Calendar, which allows individuals to practice the language daily by saying the date, day, and month in Saulteaux.
For those who prefer audio learning, all the lessons from the booklets are also available on the pikiskwewin podcast channel at pikiskwewin.ca. This platform provides another accessible way for learners to hear proper pronunciation and engage with the language in a meaningful way.
“This is a huge achievement for me—something I never thought I could or would do,” says Langan. “We desperately need to keep our language alive, and I will continue to create resources to help us all learn together.”
Order Your Copy
Due to overwhelming interest, Langan is now taking orders:
To purchase, send payment via e-transfer to natalielangan2020@gmail.com and include your mailing address.
Langan’s dedication to language revitalization is a powerful reminder that every effort counts in preserving Indigenous languages for future generations.
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(the good path through life)
(the good path through life)