On March 10, 2026, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization recognized Westin Sutherland, a language keeper from Peguis First Nation, Manitoba, for his efforts to keep Indigenous languages alive. Sutherland recently organized a community screening of cartoons at the Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre to help local families connect with their heritage.
The event was designed to promote the Ojibwe language by using fun and modern ways to engage children. By bringing families together for the screening, Sutherland provided a space where different generations could share their culture and listen to their traditional language in a familiar format.
Sutherland has spent several years dubbing popular shows and movies into languages like Ojibwe and Cree to encourage young people to learn. His work focuses on bridging the gap between fluent elders and youth who spend a lot of time using digital media and watching cartoons.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization, which represents 33 First Nations in the region, formally acknowledged his commitment to this cultural work. This recognition highlights the ongoing efforts within the community to ensure that Indigenous languages continue to be spoken and celebrated by future generations.
