Prairies to Woodlands Indigenous Language Revitalization Circle

MDP student Jackie Dormer completed her first-year field placement with Prairies to Woodlands Indigenous Language Revitalization Circle (P2W), a community-based non-profit. Co-founded by language activist and learner-teacher Heather Souter and Elders and mother-tongue speakers Verna DeMontigny and Gail Welburn, P2W focuses on revitalizing Southern Michif and other languages spoken by Métis people and their kin.

During her placement, Jackie supported day-to-day operations of P2W, including language programming and resource development. Her role included assisting with weekly community language classes, taught by Heather Souter. She was also involved in the development of a language planning resource, in partnership with other language revitalization organizations as writer/listener. Additionally, she supported the development of a paper on Métis language policy and the development of a presentation that will be shared at the WAVES 2025: Global Indigenous Languages Summit. Her placement also gave her the opportunity to travel to Camperville, MB, a multilingual Métis community.

“At Prairies to Woodlands, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of several meaningful projects and build relationships with other language activists. I am so grateful for the mentorship and teachings I have received during this placement.”