As a non-Aboriginal person living and working on unceded Coast Salish Nation Territory most often referred to as the Lower Mainland of BC, I offer my respect, recognition and gratitude to Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples.
Most North Americans, including myself, have very little understanding of the healthy and adaptable communities thriving
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structures, spiritual practices, oral traditions, educational systems, economic generators and resource planning. There was no Canada and no United States - just many independent Nations, much like how we picture Europe as made of different countries.
Some Nations were interdependent and worked closely together to
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Scroll down this page to find out who helped create this card. |
share resources and traditional territories; others were independent of neighbouring ones. Because of its vast geological size and natural boundaries like mountains and rivers,
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There are at least seven different, major First Nations language families in BC alone, and within those there are at least 30 known regional dialects…
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Canada is home to at least eleven distinct Aboriginal language families.
There are at least seven different, major First Nations language families in BC alone, and within those there are at least 30 known regional dialects. These language families are as different as Spanish and English and Mandarin; so sometimes a common “trading language” was created. Together they form the rich tapestry of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit languages woven together in a wonderfully diverse yet complex history that many Canadians cannot easily comprehend.
I am honoured to have connected with many Aboriginal students, teachers, friends, volunteers, leaders, co-workers and Elders in the common goal of creating stronger, safer communities.
Thank you all for sharing your unique histories, cultural insights and generosity with me. As a teacher, I am always thrilled to be learning from students. As a sales and marketing strategist who values social responsibility, I look for ethical creative ways to communicate more effectively while promoting awareness and respect. I often ask how to say “thank you” in a traditional language. In 2002 I began to ask permission to share those words with others in a postcard - so it is only with your blessings that this postcard was created.
This postcard is intended to honour the diversity of Canada's Aboriginal languages. The front of the card highlights over 25 ways to say, "Thank You" using traditional phrases of Métis Peoples and Canada's First Nations. Included are languages from each region: the east (Mikmaq, Abenaki), the north (Gwich’in and Déné), the central (Huron, Mohawk, Ojibway, Cree), the plains (Blackfoot, Nakota, Stony), and west (Haida, Tlingit, Shuswap, Nisga’a, Tahltan, Gitsxan, Okanagan, Ktunaxa, Halq’emeylem, Bella Bella, Stat’imc, Sechelt/Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwak’wakala, Squamish and Musqueam). Some American languages (Choctaw, Hawai'ian and Navajo are included because of personal relationships with members of those Nations. Because the US/Canadian border is a relatively new boundary imposed upon Native Americans by colonizers, they seemed respectful additions.
There are many Aboriginal languages not shown on this card - the intent is not to exclude or neglect others. It's intent is simply to give a glimpse of the diversity of languages I have heard from students, friends and co-workers over the last 10 years that I have been actively listening. Some are ways to say thank you to a friend, others would be used to show gratitude to a group of strangers, and yet others might be used to thank your own family members.
David C. Wilson is from the Choctaw Nation in the US; he is the graphic artist who helped to design this beautiful card (and our company logo, shown below). He created an inspirational design that captures both the sense of gratitude and a spirit of connectedness in the light that emanates from the postcard’s center. We chose a peaceful blue theme and used various complimentary fonts to highlight the differences in languages.
The postcard back provides spaces for a stamp and room to write a personal note. It’s a quick, inexpensive, easy way to send a smile to mentors, friends, co-workers, speakers and suppliers. A small paragraph explains that traditional languages often have distinct sound systems with unique pronunciations of vowels and consonants that do not translate exactly into English. The spelling or accents within traditional words and the Nations' names themselves may vary when written; often there are different written spellings for the same spoken word.
We recommend asking for proper pronunciation and spelling directly from the Nation, organization, or person with whom you are building a relationship. As Elders and language teachers share specifics for English spelling, the postcards will be updated.
To honour my commitment to sustainability and socially responsible business practices, the first run of 5000 cards was printed on minimum 50% post-consumer-recycled paper. As revenue is generated, additional cards are printed through www.Clubcard.ca Green Card program on 100% post-consumer recycled. FSC-certified, 15.5 point uncoated matte double thick cardstock. Yep, they're as good for the environment as you can get.
Save by ordering bulk purchases of 12 for $20, 30 for $50, 65 cards for $100, 200 cards for $280 or 500 cards for $675. *Taxes are additional, where applicable.
50 cents from each card sold is set aside to host free workshops for Urban Aboriginal Youth every few months. By learning practical 21st Century literacy skills, Youth can use technology to work more effectively at home, school and work. Youth groups and organizations can purchase cards at a substantial discount to use as fundraisers for resale at events or in their office, as long as this story is told or made accessible to each person who may be selling the cards.
We all need to work together to create a kinder, inclusive, more informed and innovative world that recognizes, respects and promotes diversity. I hope you’ll agree this card supports that vision by honouring our Aboriginal Peoples and their distinct languages.
In honour and respect,
Kristin Kozuback, C.S.P.
Spiritlink Communications
E-mail postcard@spiritlinking.com or phone: 604-783-8304 to place your order in advance for gifts for your next conference or special event.