Finding the Language

Voices of Future Generations #19

by Adelyn Newman-Ting

In this beautifully written story by Adelyn Newman-Ting, we are introduced to Kesugilakw (Kesu) and Bob, who have been friends since they were babies. One day they head out to the forest to play and find themselves in a mysterious place. It is in this place that they meet gwa’wina, a raven, and a wolf named u’ligaan, both of whom can talk and who can understand Kesu and Bob. The animals explain to the two children how the land created Indigenous languages and how both the land and Indigenous languages are at risk. The four of them become fast friends and develop a plan to raise awareness with other children in the community about the risk to the land and languages. They bring all the children together and share information about UNESCO and the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goals 4 and 13. Goal 4 seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable high-quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, and SDG 13 asks us all to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Adelyn brilliantly weaves in the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. She helps the reader understand the beauty and importance of languages by infusing Kwakwala throughout the story.

64 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2021

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it is rather ingenious to learn little bits of languages through a series of picture books such as this one.
I am hoping that I can retain a bit of Kwakala that is in the book through this.