RESEARCH VIDEO
Velvalee Georges
University of Alberta
Davina Rousell
University of Alberta
Crystal Wood
University of Alberta
Sherryl Sewepagaham
University of Alberta
Joline Bull
University of Alberta
Elmer Ghostkeeper
University of Alberta
Doreen Frencheater
University of Alberta
Molly Chisaakay
University of Alberta
Mary Cardinal-Collins
University of Alberta
Earl Wood
University of Alberta
Lawrence Berland
University of Alberta
Carla Chisaakay
University of Alberta
Sharlene Alook
University of Alberta
Tabilaah
University of Alberta
Keywords: Indigenous; ancestral languages; well-being; orature; revitalization; healing
How to cite this article: Georges, Velvalee, Davina Rousell, Crystal Wood, Sherryl Sewepagaham, Joline Bull, Elmer Ghostkeeper, Doreen Frencheater, Molly Chisaakay, Mary Cardinal-Collins, Earl Wood, Lawrence Berland, Carla Chisaakay, Sharlene Alook, and Tabilaah. 2025. The Search for Wellness Through Ancestral Languages. KULA: Knowledge Creation, Dissemination, and Preservation Studies 8(1). https://doi.org/10.18357/kula.329
Submitted: 21 January 2025 Accepted: 4 February 2025 Published: 17 December 2025
Competing interests and funding: The contributors have no competing interests to declare.
Copyright: © 2025 Elmer Ghostkeeper, Doreen Frencheater, Molly Chisaakay, Mary Cardinal-Collins, Earl Wood, Lawrence Berland, Carla Chisaakay, Sharlene Alook, and Tabilaah.
We ask that the knowledge shared within the video and pictograph be cited in this manner:
Georges, Velvalee, Davina Rousell, Crystal Wood, Sherryl Sewepagaham, Joline Bull, Elmer Ghostkeeper, Doreen Frencheater, Molly Chisaakay, Mary Cardinal-Collins, Earl Wood, Lawrence Berland, Carla Chisaakay, Sharlene Alook, and Tabilaah. 2025. “The Search for Wellness Through Ancestral Languages.” KULA: Knowledge Creation, Dissemination, and Preservation Studies 8 (1). https://doi.org/10.18357/kula.329.
In-text citation: (Georges et al. 2025)
[Name of Language Keeper.] 2025. [Role and Ancestral Language of Language Keeper.] [Time Stamp]. In “The Search for Wellness Through Ancestral Languages,” by Velvalee Georges, Davina Rousell, Crystal Wood, Sherryl Sewepagaham, Joline Bull, Elmer Ghostkeeper, Doreen Frencheater, Molly Chisaakay, Mary Cardinal-Collins, Earl Wood, Lawrence Berland, Carla Chisaakay, Sharlene Alook, and Tabilaah. KULA: Knowledge Creation, Dissemination, and Preservation Studies 8 (1). https://doi.org/10.18357/kula.329.
In-text citation: (Chisaakay, Elder and Ancestral Language Keeper, Dene Tha’, 3:09-4:06, in Georges et al. 2025)
3:09–4:06: Chisaakay, Molly. Elder and Ancestral Language Keeper, Dene Tha’.
4:07–5:10: Alook, Sharlene. Ancestral Language Keeper, Cree.
5:25–5:59: Tabilaah. Dene Tha’ and Cree Ancestral Language Learner.
6:00–10:07: Ghostkeeper, Elmer. Elder and Ancestral Language Keeper, Northern Michif and Bushland Cree.
10:36–11:38: Wood, Earl. Elder and Ancestral Language Keeper, Cree.
11:50–13:49: Cardinal-Collins, Mary. Elder and Ancestral Language Keeper, Plains Cree.
14:12–15:00: Berland, Lawrence. Elder and Ancestral Language Keeper, Sagaw Nehiyawewin.
15:01–16:22: Chisaakay, Carla. Ancestral Language Keeper, Dene Tha’.
16:43–19:48: Frencheater, Doreen. Ancestral Language Keeper, Cree and Anishinaabe.
20:02–20:17: Berland, Lawrence. Elder and Ancestral Language Keeper, Sagaw Nehiyawewin.
20:18–21:02: Alook, Sharlene. Ancestral Language Keeper, Cree.
21:02–23:02: Wood, Earl. Elder and Ancestral Language Keeper, Cree.
23:39–24:28: Alook, Sharlene. Ancestral Language Keeper, Cree.
24:29–26:52: Chisaakay, Molly. Elder and Ancestral Language Keeper, Dene Tha’.
26:53–29:46: Ghostkeeper, Elmer. Elder and Ancestral Language Keeper, Northern Michif and Bushland Cree.
29:47–30:35: Chisaakay, Molly. Elder and Ancestral Language Keeper, Dene Tha’.
It is critical to take a moment to acknowledge each of the Elders and Language Keepers that were integral to the overall research process and this digital findings manuscript. The authors would like to express their deep gratitude for the Indigenous Advisory Council members, Language Keeper Doreen Frencheater, Elder Molly Chisaakay, Elder Dr. Ayisikew Elmer Ghostkeeper, and Elder Mary Cardinal-Collins, whose wisdom guided us each step along our collective journey. Without each of you, we would not have found a path to share the study’s findings in a way that decolonizes the long-established knowledge sharing practice of written text by centering and honouring Indigenous orature practices and processes.
This research received ethics approval from the University of Alberta’s research ethics board (ID Pro00120720).