In this episode, we will look at the historical development and contemporary applications of syllabic writing systems among Native languages in Canada.  Though conceived by missionaries and used by them to aid in bringing Christianity to the North, syllabics went on to play an important part in the spread of literacy through aboriginal communities and continue to evolve in this direction today.

Syllabics is a form of writing common to hundreds of languages worldwide. In Canada, James Evans devised a system for Ojibwe in Ontario in 1840 which he later applied to Cree.

The documentary series ‘Finding Our Talk’ celebrates the many Canadian and international individuals, communities and organizations that are reclaiming their Indigenous languages, culture, stories, and identity.