Cree Literacy Network

Last week on FaceBook, Senapan Thunder wrote:

mitoni ōma ē-mistēyimak nisīmis Charlotte Ross kwayask kā-pin-kīsihtāt āto-kiskēyihtamowin mistahi kika-wīcihikonaw ōtē nīkānihk kā-pin-pīkiskwātahk ayahciyiniwi-pīkiskwēwin. ni-mamihcihik ōma kā-pin-kīsīhtāt. mitoni ē-mamihcihit ōma kā-pin-kīsihtāt okihcihtāwasinahikēwin.   

I think highly of my little sister Charlotte Ross – she has completed her Doctoral Degree in Languages. I know she will work hard to help us get a stronghold on our indigenous languages. I am so proud and happy for her in the completion of PhD in languages.

[[Dialects differ, but are all created equal. Thanks to Senapan for taking time to explain dialect differences related to preverbs that were unclear to me: pimi- and pin- both refer to movement “in the moment”. But pin- is more specific, referring to sound (which is a form of movement in itself). âto- is “to keep adding.”]]

Over here in Winnipeg we’re pretty proud too, but Charlotte’s still got one last academic hurdle to cross. Once the written dissertation is approved by examiners, every Doctoral candidate (at universities everywhere) must pass an “oral exam” or “defense” in which they speak about their work in front of their research advisors and a public audience. They must then respond to questions from the examiners. Charlotte’s defense is tomorrow, and she has shared the Zoom meeting link and password to allow us to bear witness and (with microphones muted, of course) cheer loudly as she demonstrates mastery of the work she was clearly meant to do.

The Oral Exam invitation and dissertation abstract (more formal requirements) are shown below for the record.

Confirming the date of her oral exam, Charlotte invited FB friends, family & colleagues to attend, witness, and learn about her doctoral research either in person or online. Here are the event details (in real life, and via Zoom):

Charlotte writes: I’m happy to pass on the Zoom link and password. I am so honoured to be able to share my journey with you. Kinanâskomitinâwâw.

• Wednesday, July 30, 2025
  • 9:30am Pacific Standard Time (BC)
  • 10:30 am Central Standard Time (SK)
  • 11:30 am Central Daylight Time (MB)
• In person:
  • University of Victoria in the MacLaurin Building, Room D282
• Zoom Meeting URL:
  • https://uvic.zoom.us/j/82057188682
  • Meeting ID: 820 5718 8682
  • Password: 562267

• This is not a casual event.
  • Please join the meeting at least 15 minutes before the start time.
  • To avoid distracting or further stressing the candidate, guests are asked to ensure that their audio and camera are off when the exam begins until the official examination is completed.
• The oral exam may be as long as 3 hours, including Charlotte’s presentation, which will last approximately 15-20 minutes. Charlotte’s presentation will be followed by rounds of examining questions from the External Examiner and her PhD Committee. The examiners will then excuse the audience to make their determination. 

Whether you’re able to join the Zoom meeting or not, you’re welcome to leave a message for Charlotte as a comment on this post, sending good thoughts and wishes as she completes this marathon of commitment and of love. 

p.s.: Maybe I should have added this earlier. A meme from https://xkcd.com/1403/:,