Dene kʼéh wéde gūdendéh. Always speak your language.
Kitty Magun, a Kaska language teacher at Johnson Elementary School and Elder from Liard First Nation, has made it her life’s work to ensure that the Kaska language thrives once again. In a heartfelt interview, Kitty shared her deep personal connection to Kaska language, her experiences as a residential school survivor, and her passion for teaching the younger generation.
“Language defines who you are, gives you a sense of belonging, and it’s your identity.”
Kitty’s story begins with her name. “My real name is Kitty, named after my mother’s mom.” However, her birth name was changed when she was sent to residential school. “They decided that they did not like my name, which I don’t know what was wrong with it,” she recalls. Her birth name, Kitty, was replaced with Kathy—a name that stripped away a piece of her identity. The significance of this change was not lost on Kitty, and it continues to resonate in her work today.
Her journey to reclaim her language was not easy. "We were punished when we spoke our language, and I had that [firsthand] experience," she shares. Despite this, her deep connection to the Kaska language remained. "Because it was my mother tongue, it is embedded in my spirit.”
"When I hear the language again, it's like a re-awakening for me," she says, describing the emotional power of reconnecting with her mother tongue.
Today, she feels blessed to be able to speak the language with confidence and share it with the next generation. As a teacher, Kitty is passionate about passing on the Kaska language to her students at Johnson Elementary School, where she teaches Kindergarten to Grade 7. "I always say that language is the very core of who you are. We need to go back to embrace and rejoice in the uniqueness of who we are, we are honouring our ancestors and our future." She recognizes the challenges in teaching the language, particularly the dialect differences within the Kaska community and the resistance she sometimes faces from younger generations. "Sometimes you feel lonely, right? Because you are celebrating the language, but very few others feel like celebrating it." But despite these challenges, she remains dedicated to her mission. "I am part of the solution rather than part of the problem."
Kitty has valuable advice for younger generations. She encourages them to speak to elders, get to know your history, and to understand the true reason why the Kaska language is in danger. “We didn’t voluntarily give our language up,” she says. “It was just taken away from us. The key to bringing the language back is through practice. We have to start practicing it now, in our homes and in our communities, and not feel bad about it." She encourages her students to start small: "Learn one word a day, and in a year, you will have 365 words."
Kitty’s commitment to the Kaska language extends beyond her role as a teacher. She stresses the importance of using technology to help spread the language further. “Today is a new day. We have zoom, social media, and other tools that can help us keep the language alive.” Her final thoughts for the younger generation echo the importance of language: "Dene kʼéh wéde gūdendéh. Always speak your language." she says.
Kitty is a powerful advocate for the preservation of her culture and language, inspiring future generations to reconnect with their roots. We applaud Kitty for her tireless work and deep commitment to preserving the Kaska language. Her efforts are a vital contribution to her community, and her role in this revival cannot be overstated. Kitty’s work is not only important—it's essential, ensuring that the language, identity, and spirit of her ancestors will live on for generations to come.