PM – Land and Language: connection to the land and the importance of language with Jessie Recalma (repeat of AM)

Presenter: Jessie Recalma
Time: 1:30-2:45
Location:  Vanier TBD

Max: 25

There are a lot of towns, cities, places of interest in BC and on Vancouver island that have their names rooted in Indigenous languages. This workshop looks at the importance these words have to their places in order for people to get a better understanding of the importance of placenames. There has been the fear of Indigenous languages in recent times and this presentation seeks to address aspects of the history of language in general in order to open peoples’ eyes to greater understandings.

My name is Jessie Recalma, member of Qualicum First Nation. I work as an Indigenous language teacher in the Qualicum School District part-time. I also work as a linguist for my community with a focus on the pentl’ach language. I’m also an artist with a focus on carving but also have experience with painting and digital design. My grandfather was one of the first Indigenous high school graduates in the Comox Valley.