Veteran broadcaster and Dene Zhatie language carrier Peter Hope retires

Nearly 30 years after he began working with CBC North, host Peter Hope is retiring.

Hope was the longtime host of Dehcho Dene, broadcasting in the Dene Zhatie (South Slavey)language to people in the southern portion of the Northwest Territories.

"Language is the key to your culture. And without the key, where would you be?," Hope said in an interviewwith Trail's End host Lawrence Nayally,looking back on his long career.

It's a key Hope has always had, growing up speaking Dene Zhatiewith his family in Fort Simpson, N.W.T.

English came into his life later, through church and school, but Hope never lost his love for his first language or his curiosity to learn more about it.

"Elders surprise me sometimes and say certain things I was unaware of," he said of his experience conducting interviews in different dialects.

"I sort of research it, or call them back later and say 'Why did you say this? What does it mean?'"

As a young man, Hope also worked with the Native Communications Society's CKLB-FM in Yellowknife, taking inspiration from Yukon's CHON-FM, an Indigenous radio station based in Whitehorse.

"We had a vision for what we wanted to do," he said.

From there, he moved on to CBC North, where he says he's enjoyed colleagues that feel like family and the pleasure of seeing young broadcasters find their footing.

One of those colleagues, Leitha Kochon, said she's sad to see Hopego.

"He's very fluent in his language, he has a good sense of humour. I often come to Peter for advice when things come up that I'm not too sure of," she said.

People outside of the CBC are also expressing their gratitude for his work.

Former N.W.T. Premier and longtime chief of the Ldl Kue First Nation Jim Antoine said Hope "has done a really good job" over the years.

"Many people tune in to CBC Radio when his time to do his program comes around," said Antoine, adding that they value Hope's "complete understanding of our language."

Old friend and frequent guest on Dehcho DeneBob Norwegian described Hope as "a real jewel to the CBC."

"Lots of people around this area sure wish him good luck, but they're sure going to miss him," Norwegiansaid.

Hope has also received awards for his work in Dene Zhatie, including the Senate Sesquicentennial Medal in 2017.

Right now, Hope is recovering from an illness, but says he hopes to one dayreturn to broadcasting or begin writing.

He ended his conversation with Nayally with words of advice for young Indigenous people who may not have had the opportunity to learn their language.

"Find an elder that speaks well and teaches you," he said. "But you have to reach out to them."

"Your language is your key, and you want to continue carrying it," he said later. "And I'm also here to help."