TakingITGlobal

It is with respect, humility and kindness that our team would like to acknowledge the land that nourishes us. We acknowledge our interconnectedness and are thankful for the water that flows and life that grows each day. Our organization is comprised of a team from many diverse backgrounds who are situated on Indigenous lands across many First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. In this context, we approach our work with a shared responsibility in upholding treaty agreements and awareness of the ancestors who have come before us, along with the impact of our efforts for generations to come. 2022 marks the start of the Decade of Indigenous Languages. We encourage all our community members to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion because research shows that language is intrinsically tied to wellness for Indigenous people, that Traditional Knowledge is embedded in Indigenous languages that helps us learn more about the world around us, and that Indigenous language learning promotes academic achievement. Communal language knowledge is shown to be correlated with lower rates of youth suicide, lower incidence of diabetes, and lower smoking rates. When communities can speak the same language, the impact is more than words, itʼs also wellness, connection, cultural identity and pride. It isnʼt just about the statistics and the research outcomes, itʼs also about grandchildren connecting with grandparents, intergenerational learning, and more opportunities to make memories. Itʼs about relationships, and we are glad to be in relationship with you. We invite you to read our words about what has transpired in the past year and to join us as we look to the future together. Whichever language you speak on a daily basis, we are all connected through Connected North and we are grateful you are part of our community. 3

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