Land, Language and The Future: Launching Transmissions Online Portal

“The culture is in the language” – Indigenous elder

Multiple award-winning Anishinaabe artist and filmmaker Lisa Jackson (Biidaaban, Savage, Lichen, Suckerfish) introduces this online portal created as part of her monumental installation, Transmissions, due to be presented in Hamilton in early 2021.

Indigenous languages are radically different from English and hold complex knowledge systems we can all learn from. Transmissions Expanded provides an opportunity to dig deeper into the languages, the revitalization efforts and the cross-disciplinary thinking that animates the artwork. Listen to language speakers describe how their language sees the world differently, read about linguistic qualities such as animacy, watch funny, beautiful and moving short films (Star Wars in Mohawk anyone?), and learn about some of the community-based work that is revitalizing Canada’s 50+ original languages. Thought-provoking, inspiring, and entertaining, this educational resource includes over a dozen languages, sharing perspectives that are especially relevant and hopeful in these challenging times.

Transmissions is scheduled to launch in Hamilton, Spring 2021.

In partnership with the McMaster Indigenous Studies Program.