nīhithawātiswin Consulting services supporting Cree language, land-based programming, and community-based approaches.
I work with Cree families, communities, schools, and organizations to support the meaningful use and transmission of Cree language. My work is grounded in Cree ways of knowing, relational accountability, and lived experience as a fluent speaker, language teacher, advocate, and a parent raising children in Cree.
I offer support through program review, language and land-based planning, and community-centered approaches that focus on real language use.
Cree Language Teaching Review & Support
I work with Cree language teachers and programs to better understand current teaching approaches, training backgrounds, and areas where support is needed.
This process is relational and strengths-based. It is not an audit or evaluation, but a way to support teachers and programs in meaningful and sustainable ways to support confidence and capacity.
This could include:
Understanding teacher training and experiences
Exploring current teaching approaches
Language program delivery
Identifying strengths and areas for support
Classroom or program observation (if requested)
Conversations with teachers and program leads
What you will receive:
A written summary or report
Key strengths and areas of growth
Practical recommendations
Land-Based Language Programming & Planning
I support communities, schools, and organizations in developing land-based programming that meaningfully integrates Cree language.
This work focuses on braiding language with land-based practices in ways that are culturally grounded, practical, and sustainable across the year.
This could include:
Designing land-based programs (e.g., camps, canoe trips, seasonal learning)
Identifying natural opportunities for language use on the land
Supporting the integration of Cree into daily routines and activities
Developing seasonal or year-long language plans
Focus areas:
Moving beyond vocabulary lists toward lived language use
Aligning programming with cultural and seasonal cycles
Strengthening connections between land, language, and identity
What you will receive:
Program outlines or frameworks
Seasonal or year-long plans
Language integration strategies
Proposal Development & Planning Support for land-based programming
I support communities, schools, and organizations in developing funding proposals for language and land-based initiatives. This work includes shaping ideas, strengthening program design, and supporting the development of clear, meaningful proposals that reflect community priorities.
I bring experience in proposal writing, program planning, and budgeting, with a focus on creating proposals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound and Fundable.
This could include:
Reviewing and strengthening existing drafts and approaches.
Clarifying program ideas and goals
Structuring proposals (objectives, activities, outcomes)
Supporting language and land-based integration in proposals
Budget planning and alignment
Aligning reports with proposal goals and budgets
What you will receive:
A structured proposal outline or draft
Feedback and revisions
Contact me
andrea-custer.ca 