Ella Vicaire– Inspiring Today’s Youth to Embrace their Language and Culture
If you’ve attended any event in the community over the past few months, then you are probably familiar with Listuguj’s Ella Vicaire and her exceptional knowledge when it comes to the Mi’gmaw language. She is the daughter of Katerina Vicaire-Wysote and Perley Caplin and is a 17-year-old Sugarloaf Senior High School (SSHS) student.
Vicaire began learning Mi’gmaw when she attended Nursery at the Education Complex in the community. She was enrolled in Mi’gmaw Immersion until grade two at Alaqsite’w Gitpu School, where she was taught by a number of educators in the community. She said she remembers having fluent conversations in Mi’gmaw in these early years but unfortunately lost some of it later when she no longer was enrolled in the Immersion program.
When she began Sugarloaf Senior High School in grade nine, students were given the option if they would like to take a French or Mi’gmaw class. Vicaire opted for Mi’gmaw and her knowledge of the language naturally came back. During her time at SSHS, she has been taught by Betty Metallic, Joanne Vicaire and Carol Metallic. Two years ago, Carol Metallic posted a video of Vicaire reciting the poem, Maqamige’jg Flanders (In Flanders Fields), that quickly went viral online.
When it comes to the opportunities she was given since learning the language, she said, “It started off just speaking at school, and doing little things, and then recently a lot of opportunities came in.” Vicaire has recited prayers and opening remarks at several events such as the 2024 Truth and Reconciliation Ceremony, Chief and Council Inauguration, the grand opening of the Listuguj Police Department and more.
Although learning the language and culture can be intimidating, Vicaire says it has been a healing experience for her and is passionate about inspiring others to learn. Over the years, she has developed a very profound understanding of the language, that continues to impress the community. When she was a child, she remembers her Nan speaking Mi’gmaw at home. She said, “It was nice to do this for my Nan. She’s proud because we’re losing our language, and I wish a lot more students would take advantage and learn it.”
Vicaire will be graduating SSHS this year and will be attending Holland College in Prince Edward Island in the Fall to study Dental Assisting. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors!
By Ann Marie Jacques
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