Native people on P.E.I.'s Lennox Island reserve fear their language is dying in the province, and believe Mi'kmaq immersion classes could be the answer.

'It's kind of embarrassing being cultural director and not being able to speak fluently.'— Tiffany Sark

Students at John J. Sark Memorial School take just three half-four classes a week in their native language, and very few speak it at all outside of those classes.

Gilbert Sark teaches drumming and writes songs about his heritage, but he does it all in English. He doesn't speak Mi'kmaq. Sark said when he visits reserves on the mainland, where mostly everyone speaks Mi'kmaq fluently, people make fun of him.

"Other reserves even say, 'Oh, it's a P.E.I. Indian.' That does hurt because your own people are actually pushing you aside saying you don't speak your language," said Sark.

"Sure we have the culture, sure we have the brown skin, but that one part that's missing, is our language."

Band cultural director Tiffany Sark said all band members will be consulted to see if they want to bring in Mi'kmaq immersion, but she would like to see it.

"For me it's kind of embarrassing being cultural director and not being able to speak fluently," she said.

"I think that if you want something bad enough, and you think it's for the well-being of the community, it will happen."

The idea is not new, in the past the band council had a tough time attracting Mi'kmaq teachers. Now, with improved facilities and thriving businesses on the reserve, many say it's time.