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Welcome to My Journey in Language Revitalization
My name is Andrea Custer, a PhD student, educator, and passionate advocate for Cree language revitalization. For over a decade, I've dedicated my life to teaching and preserving nīhithawīwin, our Cree language, as I believe it holds the key to our identity, culture, and future.
This website is a space where I share my experiences, insights, and ongoing work in the field of language reclamation. From my role as an assistant professor to my adventures in organizing land-based education programs like the 'Following the Trails of Our Ancestors' Canoe Trip, I hope to inspire and connect with others who are equally passionate about Indigenous language and culture.
Join me as I navigate the challenges and triumphs of my PhD journey at the University of Victoria, explore new initiatives to bring nīhithawīwin back into our communities, and reflect on what it means to walk the path of language revitalization. Whether you are a student, educator, or simply someone interested in Indigenous languages, I invite you to explore, learn, and share in this journey.
Welcome, and thank you for being here!
My Story
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mihko-asiniy iskwīw nitisithikāson ka-nīhithawīyan ikwa Andrea Custer H. Clarke kā-ākathāsīmoyan nitisithikāson. I am an asinīskāwiskwīw (Rock Cree woman) from the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation more specifically, wapāwikoscikanihk or Narrows of Fear, also known as Pelican Narrows. I have roots in the māhtāwi-sīpiy (Churchill River), atihko-sīpiy (Reindeer River) and the Sturgeon Weir River (namīwi-sīpiy) Systems. I am proud to say that I come from a long line of traditional harvesters and land-users in the onikāyāmihk (uskik) lake and iskwatam lake areas. I am a speaker of the Rock Cree Language and the mother of five beautiful children and I am married to Randy Clarke who is also a fluent speaker and a traditional harvester from wapâtikwaciwanohk or Southend, Saskatchewan. nikāwiy (my mother) is Julianne Custer, and nohtāwiyipan (my late father) was Richard Highway. I am the oldest of three children, my younger siblings are Mark Custer and Holly Custer. I am also a proud auntie to five nieces (one passed on) and one nephew with one more on the way. I eagerly await for the birth of my niece or nephew to parents nisīmis Mark and nicāhkos Lisa.
I began my career in Cree in 2012 when I first switched my minor from Art to teaching Cree as a 2nd language. In 2014, I had the opportunity to intern at Canadian Languages and Literacy Development Institute (CILLDI) and Nēhiyawak Language Experience (NLE) to find ways to improve my practice as a language educator and practitioner. I continued to enhance my knowledge in areas of teaching Cree including 2nd Language teaching theories and methodologies, Indigenous Language Revitalization, land-based education, leadership, and organizational skills. I was the program coordinator for the Indigenous Languages program at the First Nations University of Canada for 3 years where I also taught beginner and intermediate Cree courses.
During my career, I have built a reputation for my leadership, innovative thinking and working with the highest level of integrity with a deep and passionate commitment to my Rock Cree language and heritage.
I have a B.A. in Indigenous Studies, a B.Ed., with a minor in teaching Cree and an M.Ed. in Indigenous Land-Based Education and I began my Ph.D. studies in the spring of 2023 at the University of Victoria in Indigenous Language Revitalization.