Home / Museums, Heritage and Indigenous Culture / Congratulations to our CILR Award recipients
Congratulations to Makee Kakee (Maaki) and Barbara Ballantyne, the recipients of our 2022 Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization Awards.
Makee Kakee, Panniqtuuq/Iqaluit
Makee Kakee (Maaki) is originally from Pannniqtuuq and moved to Iqaluit 24 years ago to work for BRIA, now called Qikiqtani Inuit Association as an Interpreter/translator. Makee completed a diploma program of Interpreter/Translator and has been working professionally for 30 years. She loves working with Elders to gather information about the past and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. Over her career, Makee has worked in different organizations such as, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), Nunavut Social Development Council (NSDC), Nunavut Court of Justice (NCJ) and as a freelancer, and as an instructor at the Nunavut Arctic College concentrating on Legal Interpreting. Makee is currently taking an educational leave to learn more of the Inuit history, traditions and traditional terminology. She enjoys working with sealskins and sewing garments, both industrial tanned skins and traditionally tanned. Makee has three daughters (one son passed), 24 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild who all speak only or mostly Inuktitut.
Barbara Ballantyne, Deschambault Lake/Saskatoon
Barbara Ballantyne is from Deschambault Lake, and now lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She is the mother of ten children and grandmother of five. She is currently writing a book with her daughter in Cree ‘th’ dialect. Barbara became interested in the Indigenous Language Revitalization program because as a mom and an Aboriginal Head Start Coordinator, she could hear the little ones only speaking English. Upon completing CILR, Barbara wants to create or work with a language program to bring back her language.
Congratulations Caroline Ipeelie, the recipient of our 2021 Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization Award.
Caroline Ipeelie, Iqaluit
Caroline Ipeelie was born and raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut where the majority of her family resides. She has three boys, who shape and drive her life. She currently works as a Heritage Appreciation Coordinator for the Qikiqtaaluk region; working with locals, collecting stories and promoting Inuit culture.
What she enjoys most is the thrill of that heavy tug and pull of fish biting her hook during the spring months! She is also very excited to continue her community language revitalization projects and will be engaging with Elders to collect information on traditional words, oral history and their thoughts and feelings about the changing and evolving Inuktitut language.
Congratulations Ceporah Mearns, the recipient of our 2020 Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization Award.
Ceporah Mearns, Panniqtuuq/Iqaluit
Ms. Ceporah Mearns is originally from Panniqtuuq, Nunavut, currently living in Iqaluit. Ceporah is a mother of two and is a celebrated children’s book author whose work has been translated into Inuktut and languages worldwide. A passionate researcher and instructor, volunteer and a student in the Qimattuvik program at the Pirurvik Centre in Iqaluit, NU. Ceporah places Inuit culture, traditions and language at the forefront of her contribution to her community, territory and global community.
Congratulations Carole Tinqui and Samone Sayese-Whitney, the recipients of our 2019 Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization Award.
My name is Carole Tinqui. I was born in Behchoko, Northwest Territories and have lived here all my life. I have a daughter name Khloe who is six years old, and am married to Kevin Tinqui. Tłı̨chǫ language is my first language when growing up and it is very important for me and my families. I’ve seen many changes in our community and I want to help those in need, as well as learning more teaching skills. I know it takes a lot of hard work and determination to learn our Tłı̨chǫ language.
I am currently working as a Medical Travel Clerk with Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency. The Indigenous Language Revitalization program will support me to learn how to read/write in Tłı̨chǫ, which is especially helpful in dealing with elderly patients. Once I complete the certificate program, I want to work for our Tłı̨chǫ community and utilizing the skills that I’ve learned.
Samone Sayese-Whitney is a member of the Tsuut'ina Nation. She is a mother of two, aged 4 years and 10 months. Since 2012, Samone has been teaching language at the Tsuut’ina Gunaha Institute at the elementary, middle and high school level. Samone began the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization with colleagues at the Tsuut’ina Gunaha Institute in 2019. She looks forward to completing her certificate and continuing on to gain a Bachelor of Education to support her work in Indigenous education and language revitalization.
The Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization (CILR) Award was made possible through the generosity of anonymous donors, and will contribute to ensuring the CILR program is accessible to more learners to support their educational path and the language revitalization needs of their community. Learn more about the CILR Award.
RELATED TOPICS: Indigenous Language and Culture
Tel 250-472-4747 | Email uvcsreg@uvic.ca
2023 © Continuing Studies at UVic
Legal Notices |
Sitemap