The other panellists have said a lot of things that I can definitely echo.
We look back at the hurt of not being allowed to speak our language, but also when I think of members within my family, I know they felt shame and ridicule when they did speak their language. Many Michif speakers were ridiculed and made fun of because that was the only language they came with, and they didn't speak English or French within the schools. Now they are able to speak their language out in public and they feel pride in that, and then they are willing to come and work with the younger people and the adult learners who want to learn the language and join in and share that pride. It definitely heals those wounds that have deeply scarred our communities.
Thank you.