Logo with a tree and roots, with the text "Roots of Our Voices", and samples of the cards.

Roots of Our Voices

Roots of Our Voices

Available for Pre-order

Available for Pre-order 

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Roots of Our Voices is a responsive speech sound and language tool and screener designed for SLPs and educators. 

It was developed by an Indigenous Speech-Language Pathologist and features illustrations by an Indigenous artist. Our goal is to offer meaningful representation of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island in both urban and remote communities.

Roots of Our Voices Screening Tool for SLPs and Educators Roots of Our Voices Screening Tool for SLPs and Educators
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Launching Summer 2026

Launching Summer 2026

A printable worksheet titled 'Language Activities' featuring cards with images related to language skills and the title 'Roots of Our Voices' in the center, designed for teaching vocabulary and language concepts.
HAEPI SLP logo featuring an illustration of a person holding a tablet with the phonetic spelling of 'happy' on the screen.

The Roots of Our Voices cards can be used for a variety of purposes to teach or elicit language skills. All cards include a short, child-friendly description on the back. Use these to build vocabulary, understanding, and awareness of vocabulary items that may be meaningful to your students.

​In addition to the physical deck of cards, each purchase comes with a free Language Activities Pack with ideas for how you might use the cards with your students.

Meet The Creators
A woman (Halle Demchuk) smiling outdoors at sunset, wearing a gray beanie and a jacket, with snow in the background.

Halle Demchuk, SLP

​Halle Demchuk is a Métis Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who was born and raised in Northwestern Ontario. Halle owns and operates HAEPI SLP Therapy Services and provides fly-in and virtual services to remote Indigenous communities. Halle is passionate about educating and advocating for her community.

Author
A woman (Alyssa Guimond) with dark hair, wearing jewelry including earrings and a necklace with a blue gemstone, posing indoors with a confident expression.

Alyssa Guimond

​Alyssa Guimond is an Anishinaabe ikwe originally from Sagkeeng First Nation, but is currently based in the Winnipeg, MB area. Since 2022, she has been an Anishinaabemowin teacher and in her spare time works as a freelance artist. She is the proud owner of her small business Mayaginan Creations.

Illustrator
A woman (Piper Rasmussen) with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a nose piercing, wearing a hooded jacket with faux fur trim, surrounded by a decorative circular tree pattern.

Piper Rasmussen is a digital designer and creative generalist who was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She provides boutique creative services to clients internationally, and is passionate about supporting change-makers, woman-owned small businesses, and entrepreneurs in the health and wellness space.

Designer

Piper Rasmussen

Illustration of a tree with the words 'Roots of Our Voices' inside an oval frame, on a brown background.

Roots of Our Voices

Roots of Our Voices

  • Roots of Our Voices cards are designed to support speech sound development and language learning in a meaningful, engaging way. They can be used to teach and elicit vocabulary, build comprehension, and support expressive language skills. Each card includes a child-friendly description to help learners of all backgrounds connect with and understand the vocabulary, while also focusing on culturally relevant concepts for Indigenous children.

    Unlike many traditional tools, these cards were created (by a Métis SLP) with the understanding that standardized materials often don’t reflect the realities of Indigenous children—especially those in remote or fly-in communities. By centring relevant vocabulary, storytelling, and representation, our cards aim to make language learning more accessible and empowering for Indigenous students.

  • Absolutely. These cards are designed for Speech-Language Pathologists, but also for educators, support staff, and caregivers working with children in any setting.

    Because many standardized tools are not appropriate or relevant for Indigenous learners, it’s especially important that more people feel confident using flexible, culturally responsive resources. The included Language Activities Pack provides practical, easy-to-follow ideas so you can support language development while honouring the strengths, understandings, and experiences of the children you’re working with.

  • These cards give you a flexible, ready-to-use resource for targeting speech and language goals while staying responsive to the needs of your students. You can use them to introduce vocabulary, support storytelling, build comprehension, and encourage conversation in a way that feels natural and meaningful.

    They’re especially valuable in contexts where standardized tests fall short. Many assessments are not normed for Indigenous children and may overlook important factors like dialect, second language learning, and culturally significant forms of communication such as oral storytelling. These cards help you move away from a deficit-based approach and instead build on each child’s strengths.

    By incorporating authentic Indigenous representation and culturally relevant content, the cards also help create a more inclusive environment—one where students feel seen, respected, and better able to engage in their own language learning journey.