'I'm 84 years old and rapping': Elder helps bring Haida language to new generation as one half of ra

[Spazito]

'I'm 84 years old and rapping': Elder helps bring Haida language to new generation as one half of rap duo

Jiixa, 84, and adopted clan member Julia Weder, 25, formed the group Siijuu Jaadas last year

A Haida Gwaii duo is promoting the beauty of an endangered Indigenous language in a unique way — by singing rap songs.

Jiixa (Gladys Vandal), an elder of the Haida Eagle Clan, teamed up with Julia Weder last December to form the rap group Siijuu Jaadas, which means "cool ladies" in the Haida language.

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Jiixa, a Haida language teacher in Skidegate, B.C., is one of nine core members of the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program, who received an honourary Doctor of Law degree from Vancouver Island University in June 2019 for their efforts to preserve the language.

According to the Haida Nation council, the language has only two dozen fluent speakers left.

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/haida-gwaii-cool-ladies-rap-duo-1.6393998

[Bev54]

1. +1

[abqtommy]

2. K&R to increase exposure. nt