Learning Cree helps this dental hygienist connect with and treat her patients

A non-Indigenous dental hygienist in the northern Quebec community of Waskaganish is learning Cree in an effort to communicate more effectively with the people she serves. 

For the past six years, Camille Poirier has been filling her notebook with Cree words, sentences, and phrases.

"I think that makes a difference because they know that you're there for many reasons, not only for work, but also to connect," said Poirier, who is originally from the Gatineau, Que. and Rockland, Ont. area.

Poirier began working in Waskaganish after graduating from university.

What was intended to be a temporary position became a new home for Poirier and her family.

"I wanted to connect more with the patient like, and I find that with the language you can connect with the person because they understand you better," said Poirier. 

At the daycare, Poirier found that most children spoke Cree and the same with her teenage patients, leaving her to  often rely on translation.

"When I asked them a question in English, they always asked their parents in Cree. So I was like, I want to ask them so they can answer me," she said. 

Communication is not the only goal Poirier had.

"So I was like, OK, how could I make them have more trust in me?" said Poirier.

"So I started to learn a few key words. First I learned apaa st'uin so to open their mouth, chipaah st'uin, close your mouth and I would say akaawii aahchii, dont move, or brushoo chiitihpit anchiish, did you brush your teeth today?" 

Learning Cree also helped her connect with those around her. 

"The staff at the dental clinic were speaking together, laughing, and I wanted to laugh with them, I wanted to know what they were saying," said Poirier.

Having learned Cree, Poirier can now understand and participate in her colleagues' conversations and laughter.

"So now I'm always saying them. 'Be careful. I understand'," she said.

Poirier is not the only one learning to speak Cree, her two-year-old daughter is picking up the language with her peers in daycare. 

"She speaks to me like 'aashtam, aashtam mommy' and she say 'namui' when I ask her to do something," said Poirier.

Aashtam means come here, which contrasts with the toddler's current favorite word, namui, which means no.

Her toddler now recites her daycare snack time prayer at home before supper, among other phrases she has learned.

Having lived in Waskaganish for nearly seven years, Poirier now considers it home. She actively engages in community traditions such as goose plucking and fishing, and she crafted her first pair of moose hide moccasins there.

"I feel like I'm part of the community, and I feel accepted. I'm really happy about it because I really wanted to be here," said Poirier.

She said she is still learning and wishes to continue expanding her knowledge, even beyond the pages of her book.

"I cannot say that I'm fluent in Cree, but I would say that I manage," she said.

"I want my book to be full."

Winschgaoug (Cree)9:50Camille Poirier speaks Cree to patients to earn trust and build connection

Camille Poirier has worked as a dental hygienist in Waskaganish for the past six years. She is learning Cree... and so is her two-year-old daughter.