'Keeping a language alive': CBC Cree unit celebrates milestone anniversaries • CBC North Cree radio began broadcasting 50 years ago this November, and on television 40 years ago. • Some early members of the CBC North Cree unit — both radio and television — remember very clearly why they wanted to work there. • People like Emma Saganash and Dianne Ottereyes Reid and the late Elijah Menarik. • "It was a mission I felt I needed to do after experiencing Indian residential school and being prevented from speaking my language," said Reid, who first worked transcribing Cree-language segments into English, while studying linguistics at McGill in 1973. • The CBC North Cree-language programming started broadcasting during a time when the Cree nation was organizing in opposition to hydroelectric development begun by the province of Quebec. That opposition eventually led to a legal battle the Cree would ultimately win, leading to the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1975. • "[The service] is very pertinent to keep our language and culture alive," said Sophie-Claude Miller, the current manager of CBC North Cree unit. • "Storytelling is a very important part of our traditions and embracing the new technologies gets community members, youth, elders and everyone in between, making sure our voices will stay alive for years to come." • A special event, including a live recording of Eyou Dipajimoon with a musical performance by Cree artist Siibii, is happening today, Thursday, November 24. Congratulations to the whole Cree Unit on five decades of service and public broadcasting. • Tap the link in the bio to read more. • • • (Photo on: Tim Chin: CBC, photos two and three: CBC North, photo four: submitted by Dianne Ottereyes Reid, photos five and six: Maamuitaau/ CBC North, photos seven to nine: CBC North, video ten: CBC; Reporting: CBC North Cree Unit) #cbccree #creenation #cbcindigenous #cbcnorth