This circle of life represents four cycles of life beginning with birth, youth, adult and Elder. These human stages of life coincide with the four seasons beginning with spring, summer, autumn and winter. Wolastoqey Worldview personifies seasons with human development as demonstrated in the above diagram.  Our Wolastoqey language is core to this vision of natural lifespan and was originally spoken within all realms to guide intergenerational transmission of Wolastoqey philosophies, traditions, values, histories, songs, and all worldviews embedded within Wolastoqey language. It is the hope of these lessons that learners will envision themselves as life long learners and carriers of Wolastoqey language for those yet to be born.
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Identity audio files


Nkisi Tehc / Can Do's

Upon completion of this lesson...

Tpostomun Latuwewakon/ Listening to Wolastoqey

  • I can understand words related to “Identity” i.e. who they are (clans), where they come from (communities)
  • I can hear and distinguish familiar words related to Wolastoq i.e. Wolastoqew,Wolastoqiyik etc.
 
Wolastoqewatu/ Speaking Wolastoqey

  • I can experience the cultural teachings conveyed in Wolastoqey identity
  • I can talk and learn about the “clan system”, community places and original community names
 
Okitomon Latuwewakon/ Reading Wolastoqey

  • I can recognize the written text for identity, communities and community place names
  • I can begin to learn the unique writing system and all its features
 
Wikhomon Latuwewakon/ Writing Wolastoqey

  • I can prepare a poster or card to make a simple invitation, or announcement
  • Participants can write about themselves and where they live, using short phrases in the Wolastoqey language

Wolas-Talk lesson aid

Download Wolas-Talk
Use the web version of Wolas-Talk below by tapping Learn Wolastoqey, and select this lesson from the list.

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge that the Wolastoq Language and Culture Center is located on the traditional unceded and unsurrendered territory of Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet). This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Wolastoqey title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.

"We are directed by the government to tell you that the English have no design to take your country or any of your lands from you: or to deprive you of any of your just Rights or Privileges"
(November, 1720, English Treaty Commissioner).

Note: The treaty Commissioners were appointed by the British Crown to negotiate treaties with Wabanaki nations in the 1700s. The Wabanaki nations included the Wolastoqiyik, Mi'kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscots.
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Funded by the government
​of Canada​
Financé par le gouvernement
​du Canada