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At a recent event in Fort McMurray, Mayor Bowman says he caught Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam by surprise. Mayor Bowman greeted Chief Adam in Dene by asking how he was. When Chief Adam reciprocated the question, Mayor Bowman also responded in Dene.
That’s because for the past four months, Mayor Bowman has been taking weekly Cree and Dene lessons with local Language Keepers. He first wanted to learn how to greet Indigenous people in their languages, an icebreaker he uses in his martial arts gym to greet children of diverse backgrounds who may not speak much English.
“My grandmaster taught me taekwondo. I’d go visit him at Christmas and I’d have Korean families come and help me with Korean, I had a Korean Grade 5 book, so I’d know how to speak it,” says Mayor Bowman. “I’d be excited for Christmas to greet him, ask him how he was and that’s where it started. I kept it going. It’s expanded to this.”
After a couple lessons with Elder Rita Marten of Mikisew Cree First Nation and Elder Patrice Mercredi of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mayor Bowman knew he wanted to learn more than greetings. He says he looks forward to the lessons each week.
“It’s been amazing. I really appreciate the Elders’ time and it’s fun learning,” he said. “When you get it right, I feel like I’m in school again and the teacher is happy you did a good job. It’s a fun experience.”
The Elders are also enjoying their part of the language lessons and appreciate the Mayor’s role in helping preserve local Indigenous languages.
“In 1984, my father, Sal Marten, said, ‘I welcome my friend, shake his hand and ask him to tell me about his ways and I will share my language, my way of life. Together we will learn from best of both cultures,’” said Elder Rita Marten. “This is exactly what my father meant. Mayor Bowman embraces our language and way of life. Thank you, Mayor Bowman.”
“One thing I’ve seen so far in Mayor Bowman’s character is his concentration, determined attitude, and discipline,” Elder Patrice Mercredi said. “He’s a very astute person who cares about what he’s doing. He shows interest in our language and our culture, and I was very, very moved by that.”
Mayor Bowman’s goal is to deliver the land acknowledgment in Cree and Dene during the 2023 Arctic Winter Games, which are being held in Wood Buffalo.
“A huge thank you to the Elders for doing this for me and with me. It’s a great journey and I’m looking forward to being able to present it in public.”
This article was part of the March edition of the Truth and Reconciliation Newsletter.
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