Indigenous grandmother's language classes become TikTok sensation
An Ojibwe woman living in Sioux Lookout, a town in Northwestern Ontario, uses TikTok to teach thousands of people around the world the indigenous language of her ancestors.
Crystal Harrison Collin started her TikTok account in 2020, during the start of the pandemic, and had the idea to record her granddaughter, Amara, learning a new word each day in Anishinaabemowin.
"We were already practicing our words from home, and I thought let's try this, and it went from there with each video we created," said Harrison Collin.
With several dozen videos now uploaded to her account since its initial creation, the Tiktoks have since generated hundreds of thousands of views from audiences worldwide, such as in Australia, France and England.
"I'm receiving positive comments from people saying keep doing what you are doing and saying 'Hey, I saw you!' It encourages me to continue," said Harrison Collin.
While Harrison Collin's videos focus on language learning, she said she often highlights important topics like missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and the intergenerational trauma caused by Canada's residential school system, a trauma that Harrison Collin's family has also experienced.
As a granddaughter of a residential school survivor, Harrison Collin said it wasn't until her later 30s when she reconnected with her father, who was able to pass down the teachings and language of her Anishinaabemowin heritage. She said that the learning gap is something she hopes to bridge with the next generation of learners.
"It is a difficult topic, but it is necessary because it builds understanding, compassion, and respect," said Harrison Collin.
Harrison Collin said although there is still work to be done on the road to reconciliation, she hopes her videos help to give people access to information needed to learn and understand.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.