The Onion Lake Cree Nation's 7th Generation podcast invites elders from different Nations to speak in the Cree language every Thursday, promoting the language to younger audiences. (screenshot/ OLCN7th Generation)

By Kenneth Cheung

OLCN 7TH GENERATION PODCAST

Onion Lake podcast aims to keep Cree language alive

Mar 31, 2025 | 4:28 PM

Growing up, Fraser Heathen remembers hearing Cree spoken fluently by his parents and grandparents.

“Like the evolution of it since I was a young boy with my parents and my grandparents, I think it was more abundant and more like you heard it from home, in the community,” he said.

But over time, he saw the language becoming less common among younger generations. Now, he’s on a mission to change that.

Heathen is the host of the Onion Lake Cree Nation 7th Generation Podcast, a show dedicated to promoting the Cree language and culture. Through live-streamed hockey commentary and regular podcast episodes, he’s found creative ways to get people engaged.

Fraser Heathen, the podcast host of OLCN 7TH Generation. (Facebook/ OLCN 7TH Generation)

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As today is National Indigenous Languages Day, his work serves as a reminder that revitalizing Indigenous languages takes creativity, dedication, and a strong connection to culture.

“Connecting the language to our community through sport, we do have a lot of people who follow our page, especially when it comes to hockey, it’s big in our community. So we figured it’d be a good avenue to strengthen it,” he explained.

His efforts come at a critical time. According to UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, all Indigenous languages in Canada are at risk, classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. Over 70 distinct Indigenous languages are spoken by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, but many face the challenge of survival.

That’s why initiatives like Heathen’s are so important.

“Just for them to hear the Cree language. I think it was a huge surprise and a huge blessing for them and also they got introduced to our page and now a lot of them follow our page just to be able to hear the language in the community,” he said.

“And a lot of feedback I’ve been getting, especially from my elders and our older generation, they really appreciate it. They like it and they encourage it, they support it,” he said.

Beyond sports, he hosts a Cree podcast every Thursday, inviting elders to speak exclusively in Cree to promote the language.

Citing a teaching from elders, he remembers their advice: “Just hearing it and the more you hear it—eventually, you are going to start putting the pieces of the puzzle together.”

By using multimedia platforms, he hopes to make learning Cree more engaging for youth. Instead of seeing language learning as a chore, they can experience it as part of daily life.

For Heathen, language revitalization isn’t just about memorizing words — it’s about creating a deep connection.

“The Cree language, I think it…resonates deep within your spirit. Your spirit resonates with the Cree language, so you’re not just hearing the audio… But you’re being impacted by the feelings inside. Like your spirit, your emotion, your mind, your heart,” he said.

Younger people in the community are beginning to take notice.

“The young people are being… inspired by it to want to learn it themselves and like to make it a part of their daily lives and you know, even in their future,” Heathen said.

Through every podcast episode and hockey broadcast, Heathen hopes to ensure that Cree remains a living, thriving language for generations to come.

Read more- ‘Our goal is to empower’: Onion Lake podcast bridges community through conversations

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com