Words Matter: Thomas on a journey to reclaim Mi'kmaw language

Mi'kmaw poet, published author, educator and activist Rebecca Thomas uses words for a living, but she can't speak the language stolen from her father at residential school.

In a new documentary Words Matter, Thomas follows her journey to reclaim the language while exploring the complicated past that's kept it from her.

The documentary, launched on National Indigenous Peoples Day, is now streaming on CBC Gem. It is directed by Stephanie Joline.

It is released In English and Mi'kmaw, with English subtitles whenever Mi'kmaw is spoken and with Mi'kmaw subtitles when English is spoken.

Thomas is a Mi'kmaw writer from Lennox Island, and is based in Nova Scotia. She was the Halifax poet laureate from 2016 to 2018.

She spoke with CBC Nova Scotia's Information Morning host Portia Clark about Words Matter.

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I am warmed in my heart to hear how frequent (the Mi'kmawlanguage) is spoken. It gives me a lot of hope.- Rebecca Thomas

Klusuaqnn Ajkne'kl
L'nu'skw, nuji-wi'kiket Rebecca Thomas ewe'wkl klusuaqann ukjit ta'n teli-ktukulit, katu mu kisi-weketuk uktli'sutim, tli'suti wutjl ta'n etli-kemutmup residential school-k. Ajkine'kl klusuaqann, majukkwalatl ta'n teli-apijite'tk uktli'sutim.