Honouring Connections: Language, Land, and Culture with Leanne Joe

By María Eugenia De Luna, PhD.

At the end of the term, our LING 101 class was honoured to host Leanne Joe, an Indigenous Curriculum Developer at UFV’s Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) and a Halq’eméylem instructor at MOLA, for an engaging session titled “Reciprocal Relationships with Language, Land, and Culture.” The session offered a meaningful opportunity to explore the interrelation between language, land, and culture, enriching our academic studies and personal understanding.

This open class was not only highly engaging but also educational. The session allowed us to revisit key linguistic concepts from our coursework, helping us better understand and appreciate Leanne’s rich linguistic and cultural insights. Through her discussion, we saw how concepts like dialects, language variation, and the relationship between language, land, and identity come to life in Indigenous communities. These real-world examples gave us a meaningful perspective on the topics we have been studying in class.

Leanne shared the significance of storytelling in Indigenous traditions, particularly the practice of introducing oneself by sharing family history. She explained how this tradition connects individuals to their ancestry, community, and culture. What made this lesson truly memorable was Leanne’s own storytelling. Her ability to weave narratives about her family and kinship was captivating, and her authenticity and passion inspired us.

Another highlight of the session was the introduction to the linguistic varieties of the Stó:lō people: Upriver (Halq’eméylem), Downriver (hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓), and Island (Hul’q’umi’num’). Leanne shared her personal journey with two of these dialects, recounting how, as a young child, she didn’t realize she was speaking a language other than English. It wasn’t until she started attending school that she discovered her teacher couldn’t understand her, and this and other extralinguistic factors led to her gradually distancing from her language. However, later in life, Leanne fully embraced her linguistic identity and has dedicated herself to teaching others about her language and heritage, which have become sources of pride and inspiration.

The discussion about dialects was particularly relevant to our recent class topics on linguistic variation, making it easy to connect theory with practice. Leanne explained how each dialect is tied to specific regions and communities, carrying unique cultural and linguistic nuances. Understanding these dialects gave us a greater appreciation of the linguistic diversity of the Stó:lō people and Indigenous languages.

Leanne also introduced us to Hand Talk, an Indigenous sign language historically used by Deaf and hearing people. This interactive portion of the session allowed us to learn some basics of Halq’eméylem through Hand Talk. This form of communication highlights the inclusivity and adaptability of Indigenous communities. This engaging activity was a highlight!

Leanne Joe’s session was an unforgettable experience that deepened our understanding of Indigenous languages and cultures. From her storytelling and lessons on kinship to her exploration of the relationship between language and land, every part of the session was insightful and thought-provoking. We thank Leanne for sharing her knowledge, experiences, and stories!