Language is Our Life Line | Joye Walkus | TEDxVictoria

In this powerful talk, Kwak'wala language teacher Joye Walkus passionately shows the cultural and spiritual significance of saving indigenous languages and culture for future generations.

Joye Walkus, a member of the Kwakiutl Nation on Vancouver Island, is well known for wearing a 300-year-old indigenous blanket owned by her late grandfather to her University of Victoria convocation. She is well educated in the Indigenous Language Revitalization, earning a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria.

[leslienelson]

Language is life; with language you learn your culture and traditions. With language, you grow your roots into your Nation.

[misteryA]

It's funny, Kwak'wala sounds a lot like Irish or Welsh. For a second my brain thought she WAS speaking Irish, even though she obviously wasn't haha

Beautiful language, I'm so glad people are keeping it alive!

[Child-of-Astara]

You are amazing, Joye Walkus! Chi miigwetch!!! Thank you so very much for sharing!!!

[raeanndoholis]

That was so passionate and engaging...Kwa'layu. Imagine if everyone felt like that when they were in your presence 🙏

[mercik]

wow very emotional presentation, I have always enjoyed learning about native american culture.,
thank you

[Grungebabydoll]

such an emotional journey with such a courageous undertaking, to take back what they took from your ancestors years ago. So proud of all of the Indigenous people that developed their desire to learn language and not let it die with them. I hope to hear more of your talk as well in the future !! you threw away victimhood and became a warrior again, im sorry to everything that has happened to ur people. Although, you're a true inspiration. <3

[amirislam]

I like your presentation. Language is an important part of our cultural and ethnic identity which should be protected. My fellow country men were killed because of their love for our language. Thank you.

[bruceg]

Gilakas'la! Beautiful...we will continue to learn from your fine people.

[toriharris]

I would love to learn more of our language i come from Kingcome and Alert Bay Id love to be able to teach my daughter once she's older aswell!

[maevesmith]

Amazing oratory, a powerful story about the criticality of linguistic intergenerational transmission. Well done Joye, keep up the good work :)

[CheyenneAnastacia]

I love this so much! 🥺🥺🥺 the word Kwa'layu is amazingA

[MeshelleSeaShelle]

I want t8 hear more of your language from you, "walayu. I love you .

[q.c]

I may be a few years late to this video, but I just wanted to say (and please pardon my usage if incorrect as I am in no shape or form a fluent speaker/writer) Gila’kasla.

[IowaStrmChsr]

Thank you for sharing your story. I really enjoyed this. And I would love to hear more of your language and especially your culture. Beautiful

[lenasayers]

it is not what is said, it is HOW it is said.

[bouffezlegumes]

I live in Vancouver. I want to be an indigenous ally and learn either cree or a salishan language but I'm confused which languange to choose I've found learning apps and sites but im still not sure which language to learn.

[bmo]

The word Zdolny is not exactly as able only but also talented

[carolinaquanonne]

Noise caged bird lost morning song worms found blossom morning coffee.loaded sugar habit honey drum wings echo harvest wild. Personal identity credit card nouse

[marconatrix]

If your language was obviously so much a part of your being, how come your mom dropped the ball? Once the chain of transmission is broken (not entirely in this case but almost) it´s broken forever, or at least the job of restoration is a very difficult one. Would you throw a precious heirloom into the trash? I don´t get it, unless there was real heavy repression by the authorities, but even then ...