Andrew Reuben grew up learning Cree, but at Bishop Horden Memorial School, a residential school, he was told not to speak it. Now, as an older adult, he’s teaching it to his children and over Zoom to his colleagues at Weecheetowin Support Services in Batchewana, Ont., where he works as a cultural and health support worker.

The language provides belonging and identity, Reuben says.

You can hear more of his thoughts on learning Cree and its importance in the video below.

Director: Alexandra Shimo

Director of Photography/Editor: Lindsay Sarazin

We hope you found this Broadview article engaging. 

Our team is working hard to bring you more independent, award-winning journalism. But Broadview is a nonprofit and these are tough times for magazines. Please consider supporting our work. There are a number of ways to do so:

• Subscribe to our magazine and you’ll receive intelligent, timely stories and perspectives delivered to your home 8 times a year. 
• Donate to our Friends Fund.
• Give the gift of Broadview to someone special in your life and make a difference!

Thank you for being such wonderful readers.

Jocelyn Bell

Editor/Publisher