SILR Gathering 2026
Mâmawô-wîcihitowin: All people helping each other
The 2026 SILR Gathering, held April 27 - 29, 2026 in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta) brought together over 460 language speakers, learners and advocates from across Turtle Island.
Over three days, the Gathering featured:
- Workshops and breakout sessions on topics such as land-based immersion, digital tools for fluency, trauma-informed language learning, and nêhiyawêwin syllabics.
- Two powerful keynotes from language champions Lorna Wanosts'a7 Williams and Alex FireThunder.
- Panel discussions highlighting community language planning, land-based learning curriculum guides, Michif language education in schools, and intergenerational storytelling.
- Cultural and interactive highlights, including a morning pipe ceremony, the lighting of the Qulliq, Cree Bingo, over 20 Indigenous vendors and exhibitors, a youth interactive space, and musical performances featuring Métis fiddler Darla Daniels and traditional Inuit throat singing by Jana Kadlugak Angulalik and Brittney Ulullaq Porter.
- A dedicated Elders Wellness Space in partnership with the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta, alongside Wiwîpson Therapeutic Swing sessions.
Experience the 2026 SILR Gathering
This year’s theme was “Mâmawô-wîcihitowin – All People Helping Each Other.” This celebrates how we lift one another up by sharing knowledge, strengthening relationships, and working together to protect and revitalize Indigenous languages.
2026 SILR Gathering Report
The 2026 SILR Gathering Evaluation Report offers a summary of the event, including our evaluation approach to ensure participant feedback directly guides future project decisions.
Inside, you’ll find the key themes we heard from participants, what matters most to Indigenous language advocates today, as well as recommendations based on core identity traits that will help shape SILR 2.0.
We hope this report may be valuable to anyone planning similar events or seeking deeper insight into the priorities and needs of those working to revitalize Indigenous languages.
Photo Gallery
miigwetch, ay-hiy, ish-nish, mahsi cho, maarsii
The SILR Gathering 2026 would not have been possible without the generous support, time, and energy of many individuals and organizations.
We gratefully acknowledge:
- Funders: BHP Foundation and the University of Alberta
- Wayne Jackson, for serving as Master of Ceremonies, offering opening remarks, and delivering an acoustic musical performance
- Myna Manniapik, for lighting the Qulliq and sharing the meaning of the moment with us
- Doreen Frencheater Daychief, for welcoming attendees on behalf of the SILR Advisory Council
- The River Cree Drum Group and Lyle Morin, for sharing the opening and closing drum songs
- The Indigenous Insights Collective evaluation team: Gladys Rowe, Taylor Wilson, and Lana Klok, for walking alongside us to capture the stories and impacts of the Gathering
- Staff: Pamela McCoy Jones, Candice Phillips, Allyson Lynch
- Planning Committee volunteers whose commitment helped the Gathering run smoothly: Trudy Cardinal, Evelyn Steinhauer, Tim Barlott, Patricia Vanier
- The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at UAlberta, for facilitating the Elders Wellness Space and providing dedicated support to Elders
- Student volunteers from amiskwaciy Academy, who served as Elders’ Helpers
- Dr. Darlene Auger, for facilitating and sharing the Wiwîpson Indigenous Therapeutic Swing Teachings
- SILR Advisory Council members, for their ongoing guidance and foundational support: Molly Chisaakay, Doreen Frencheater Daychief, Elmer Ghostkeeper, Lyndon Aginas, Lynda Minoose and past member Edna Elias
- Keynotes and Speakers, who generously shared their knowledge, stories, and teachings across all workshops and panels