March 8 marks International Women's Day, a day to shine a light on grassroots efforts to advance gender equality in communities across the country.

Indigenous women are often regarded as traditional keepers of language and culture. CBC News speaks with seven women who are making changes, both big and small, in their lives, communities, and nations when it comes to the reclamation, revitalization, and preservation of Indigenous languages.

Mary Ann Naokwegijig-Corbiere

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Mary Ann Naokwegijig-Corbiere, originally from Wikwemikong First Nation, is an assistant professor in Indigenous Studies at the University of Sudbury and has been teaching Nishnaabemwin for the last three decades. She is one of two editors of the Nishnaabemwin: Odawa and Eastern Ojibwe Dictionary. She's been adding new words to the dictionary since 1997, after consulting with five communities in southern Ontario.

"It's been a very involved process. I had no idea I'd still be at this over 20 years later," said Naokwegijig-Corbiere.

She said it's important to have resources accessible online, especially for her students once they move on from the university.

"They need something. So this is my main focus," she said. "When I wrote this dictionary, I wanted this to serve learners."

Karihwiióstha Callie Montour and Marion Konwanénhon Delaronde

View photos submitted by Marion Konwanénhon Delaronde and Karihwiióstha Callie Montour More

Karihwiióstha Callie Montour and Marion Konwanénhon Delaronde are the co-hosts of a weekly radio show called Tewawennakará:tats in Kahnawake, Que. Montour started the program to create a space for learners of Kanien'kéha (the Mohawk language).

"A big barrier to learning language is being too afraid to make a mistake, too afraid to embarrass yourself, worrying what others think," she said.

"On this show we like to show people that it's OK to make a mistake. It's OK if you're not perfect. All that matters is that you try."

Delaronde is also the artistic director of the Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center's children's show Tóta tánon Ohkwá:ri. Now in its 16th season, Delaronde said the goal is to contribute to a healthier community.

"Having access to language and culture programs, having the reinforcement, visibility that are our language is alive, our culture has always been alive, helps us on a community level to feel good about our identity and to understand our identity," said Delaronde.

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