My language journey begins

My learning journal for EC&I 858 will allow me to share my learning and feelings that come with language acquisition. My journey will encompass me digging deep into my abilities to rise above a recent loss. I began a new journey that veered me into a new direction on May 24th, 2026. This is the day I lost my only son. I struggled and grappled with the idea of him not being here anymore. I questioned life and my potential to finish my educational journey. I decided that I wanted to finish not only for my family but for him. I want to show him that I will be okay and that I will be able to finish this degree. I have only two official 2 class left, one after this one. I can see the end of the tunnel dimly shining through this storm I am navigating. Through this class, I hope to obtain some of the language that many First Nations lost due to colonization and historical trauma. 

My extended family

Jul 23, 2026 12:14 PM

Besides being a mother, wife and daughter, I am a teacher. I graduated in 2019 with my B.E.D from The First Nations University of Canada. I work on my home Nation of Keeseekoose First Nation and have been teaching there for 6 years in the classroom, and I am going into my 2nd year on the school's resource teams. I am also a student at the University of Regina taking my M.I.E.D, and finishing my 9th class of this degree. I am beyond excited to finish, but also a bit sad that I will be done.  I also want to acknowledge all the knowledge keepers that I have been graciously met through my education journey; their knowledge and words will travel with me for years to come and one day be used to help a growing student.

Read more »

Who is Jarrin?

Jul 23, 2026 12:14 PM

My name is Jarrin Musqua. I am a Nehiyaw and Anishinaabe mother, wife and daughter. I am from the Keeseekoose First Nation, originally from Kawacatoose First Nation. I am a mother to twin daughters, Avery and Olivia, who are going to be 21 next week. My baby's name is Zoe, and she will be 13 in 2 weeks. My son is forever 18, and his name is Alvin. I have been married to my husband, Alvin Jr, and we will be celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary in August. We have 2 pugs, Ziggy and Duke, and that completes our family. 

Read more »

My journey

I am both a Nehiyaw and an Anishinaabe woman, and I love my language. I am extremely honoured to be able to learn my language; I take pride in knowing that we are slowly being able to take our language and culture back. I grew up around both languages, but not understanding them. When you are a kid, you hear certain words; you pick up on what they mean. This is where I start with my language journey- just a few little words. I knew when I began my education journey in university that I wanted to take my language back and be proud of doing so.  Being able to take classes in my MIED, I have really begun to realize the potential I have in being able to speak or understand the language. I thought that I needed to be able to understand the language not only for me but for my matriarchs before me. My matriarchs were great women and held their language in high regard, not only because it helped them communicate, but it helped with praying. Praying is something that I have been doing; it may only be a basic Nehiyaw prayer, but I feel it helps me. I lean on praying and the language to help me in my healing journey.  My journey begins with me reclaiming my identity. Check. I have this; my journey has me taking charge of my own self-worth... check. My journey has me accepting things I can't change...check. My journey has me understanding things take time, including learning my languages...check. Finally, my journey has me understanding everyone learns at their own pace, and I am not in a competition with anyone but myself...check.  I want to be able to say that I have conquered second language acquisition (SLA) and be able to pass down the language to my children and their children.  I have been tasked with learning 29 Saulteaux words, and I feel that this is a good number of words for the time frame I have been given. 

Where I am going with the language. 

When I look to the future with my SLA in hand, I see myself teaching in a classroom filled with more SLA learners. I want to be a small piece of a bigger picture, the picture being a bilingual school, right here on Keeseekoose First Nation. I touch on Pierce and the author's idea that incorporating the learners' social identities will help them thrive within learning the curriculum. I believe this to be true, as I see it happening in our school this last year. I have seen first-hand students cling to the language not because of a grade but because they love learning it. I want to be that passionate, clinging to it and not wanting to let this beautiful language go away.  This last year, our school engaged with a language learning festival, where our students were able to engage with many different language games and resources. I want to help shape this event into something more. Something that future members will be proud of, and something that they will hold close to their hearts, and know it's always good to stand up for your language. 

Culture

I have challenged myself before I knew I was going to be hit with all these different obstacles; I took on creating our nation's powwow royalty beaded crowns. I also taught myself the language I was beading in at the same time. I find that beading is helping me with my grief and making me focus on something other than that. I think it's having a positive impact on my learning because I feel that shifting my thinking allows me to answer Ortega's question of "how much can motivation buy us in predicting successful L2 learning" Even with the tough few weeks, I can't help but think about wanting something so bad and creating that motivation to get that done in such a short time. I also understand the idea that the quantity and quality of my motivation matter in the hope of my learning to be successful.   I had a hard time seeing this in the beginning, and I need to understand that I am in charge of my own success within my language reclamation. Instrumental motivation is also a driving force for me in my job; there are not many people in our school who know the language, and this could be an advancement in a new career direction. I want this for my school and community, because our community is so individualised, like many. Knowing the language will help me help them. I also understand withing th motivation By allowing myself to Will my motivation get me through my SLA journey?