Clarence Iron believes heB次元官网网址檚 on a divine mission to revitalize the Plains Cree language through hockey.
HeB次元官网网址檒l be the play-by-play announcer with host Earl Wood and analyst John Chabot this Sunday when APTN televises the Winnipeg Jets versus Chicago Blackhawks in the first of six games to be broadcast in Plains Cree this season.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been given an opportunity because I changed my life around, I gave my life to God, and now HeB次元官网网址檚 giving me a new life and thatB次元官网网址檚 why IB次元官网网址檓 very excited to be doing this,B次元官网网址� said Iron, who has overcome problems with alcohol and drugs. B次元官网网址淜nowing that this is for the Aboriginal people to try and revitalize this language.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been given another chance at life, thatB次元官网网址檚 why IB次元官网网址檓 so excited. IB次元官网网址檓 not scared to go and do this job.B次元官网网址�
Iron hopes that the six games on APTN will help First Nations people across Canada reconnect with their Indigenous language after residential schools almost wiped them out. Iron, who attended Beauval Indian Residential School in northern Saskatchewan, has seen first hand how the mandatory use of English and the systematic oppression of Indigenous culture has led to many First Nations people losing their connection with their languages.
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B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 still lots of people that understand, they cannot speak, but they understand,B次元官网网址� Iron said in a phone interview from Pinehouse, Sask., adding that Plains Cree is closely related to other dialects. B次元官网网址淭hey could learn very quickly to speak it. In this sense of having the language in any capacity, as long as youB次元官网网址檙e speaking Cree, people are listening and theyB次元官网网址檙e excited.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 been a lot of talk of people just wanting to listen to this game coming up on Sunday. So people are very excited, theyB次元官网网址檙e just waiting. TheyB次元官网网址檙e hungry. TheyB次元官网网址檙e excited.B次元官网网址�
APTN and Rogers Sportsnet agreed a three-year deal on Dec. 13 to broadcast NHL games in Plains Cree. After SundayB次元官网网址檚 game, APTN will next broadcast in Plains Cree when the Jets and Blackhawks meet again on Feb. 9 in Winnipeg.
The Winnipeg-based network will also broadcast the Calgary FlamesB次元官网网址� visit to Detroit on Feb. 23, the Vancouver CanucksB次元官网网址� trip to Columbus on March 1, Vancouver hosting the Jets on March 15, and the Edmonton Oilers welcoming Anaheim on March 29. The deal guarantees a minimum of six games will be broadcast in Plains Cree per season.
APTN broadcasted the first nationally televised game in Plains Cree between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes last season. Iron, Wood and Chabot all had the call as the Hurricanes edged the Habs 2-1 on March 24.
It was a childhood dream come true for Iron, who grew up idolizing legendary Canadiens play-by-play announcer Danny Gallivan. In particular, Iron has tried to emulate GallivanB次元官网网址檚 musical style of speaking.
B次元官网网址淚 tried to imitate him a little bit in that sense, itB次元官网网址檚 actually similar between Cree and English,B次元官网网址� Iron said.
B次元官网网址淭o try and imitate Danny Gallivan takes a little skill, but thatB次元官网网址檚 how IB次元官网网址檇 like to sound to make the hockey exciting,B次元官网网址� he added with a laugh.
Developing his own broadcasting style has been one challenge for Iron, but adapting Plains Cree to hockey has been another one altogether. ItB次元官网网址檚 a very descriptive language, so learning how fit all the possible adjectives to describe a play has taken some practice.
B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檙e speaking the Cree language you describe the thing, whatever it is, but there is also a name to it,B次元官网网址� Iron said. B次元官网网址淲e have a word for puck, but we also say that itB次元官网网址檚 black and flat.
B次元官网网址淣ow if youB次元官网网址檙e going to describe it, itB次元官网网址檚 a very long way of describing. ItB次元官网网址檚 something thatB次元官网网址檚 round and flat and slides around something that you slap around with a stick.B次元官网网址�
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
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