Author Archives: Timothy Dong

MOD #2 POST #5: Indigenous Languages in Canada

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/aboriginal-people-languages 

This Canadian Encyclopedia post highlights Indigenous languages in Canada. Topics include the geographical distribution of languages, language families, linguistic diversity, dialects, Indigenous sign languages, and language revitalization efforts. Although YouTube videos are embedded throughout the entry, there are no additional resources linked or citations for the information. I believe more can be done to include more information and effort into this important post! Or even individual posts for different languages, to allow information to be shared instead of grouping them together.

However, two interesting videos included in the Canadian Encyclopedia entry are:

Mi’kmaq teenager Emma Stevens singing a cover of The Beatles song “Blackbird” in Mi’kmaq that went viral.

and

This video is a play-through of Thunder VR, an immersive Blackfoot language preservation and culture learning tool. Intriguing use of technology to share and teach Indigenous knowledge.

 

MOD #2 POST #4: Indigenous Languages in British Columbia

Indigenous Languages in British Columbia | Super, Natural BC (hellobc.com)

This blog post by Chuck Thompson interviews Mike Willie, a member of the Musgamakw Dzawada‘enuxw First Nation among others to highlight local Indigenous languages in British Columbia. A great read to get learn about revitalization efforts that are supporting communities. The article puts a spotlight on efforts by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, such as their website, language map, mentorship apprentice program, and language nest program for pre-schoolers. Chuck Thompson also links to Royal BC Museum’s “Our  Living Languages” exhibit and Mike Willie’s Sea Wolf Adventures where one can experience and learn more about Indigenous languages.

MOD #2 POST #3: NEȾOLṈEW̱

NEȾOLṈEW̱

NEȾOLṈEW̱ creates digital spaces aimed to help adult language learners to help with language revitalization. They have identified adults as the missing generation of learners between elders and children, and hold potential for supporting languages in Indigenous communities.

Their 5 project themes are centered around:

  1. NEȾOLṈEW̱ Indigenous Language Learning Atlas – NILLA provides an online space for Indigenous communities, advocates, researchers, and allies to engage and exchange knowledge and to share their own and learn about others’ successful language learning strategies within Canada. 
  2. Creating Assessment tools for adult learners to measure progress
  3. Sites of Adult Indigenous Language Learning and Teaching – understanding ways adults learn languages
  4. Sites of Contribution – to allow adult learners to pass their learning on to others while learning the languages
  5. Connecting language with Health and Well‐Being

MOD #2 POST #2: Canada Needs Thriving Indigenous Languages

Canada Needs Thriving Indigenous Languages | Khelsilem | TEDxWestVancouverED – YouTube

Khelsilem states that there is an increasing number of Indigenous youths committing themselves to become language learners, as the 2016 census shows that in some communities the number of language speakers is increasing despite the lack of government support and funding. “Canada would be a more interesting place if Indigenous languages are thriving” is a statement from Khelsilem that resonated with me, as languages inform the culture, identity, and the community of the place. Khelsilem also discusses that revitalization efforts led by Indigenous communities could shift towards gifting Indigenous languages to all Canadians. This would support reconciliation and building relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

MOD #2 POST #1: Why Indigenous Languages Matter and What We Can Do to Save Them

Why Indigenous Languages Matter and What We Can Do to Save Them | Lindsay Morcom | TEDxQueensU – YouTube

Lindsay Morcom at the TEDxQueensU spoke of how Indigenous languages in Canada are either endangered or vulnerable. Losing languages wasn’t by accident, she discussed how laws and policies were implemented, especially the residential school system, and the impact of cultural genocide. Her presentation included cultural and place-based examples to emphasize the importance of Indigenous languages. Dr. Morcom also described ways we can support the revitalization of languages. Examples include the Mi’kmaq culture and language-based education implemented by self-government as well as the Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest program. What can we do? Need for policies with funding to ensure Indigenous languages are incorporated meaningfully in both on-reserve and off-reserve educational settings. In addition, the need for support, not just financial but physical spaces to learn and dialogue into why Indigenous languages are important. Preserving languages is a vital step for reconciliation.

MOD #1 POST #5: Learning Bird

Learning Bird : https://learningbird.com/

Learning Bird is a company that works with schools and communities to build local Indigenous culture, language, and history into the classroom content through school resources, school programs, and language programs. Part of their services includes helping Indigenous communities digitalize their cultural artifacts and languages, provide teacher professional development opportunities, and develop curriculum. Their platform includes an LMS to support distance and differentiated learners and a bank of multi-modal resources to support teachers in their classrooms. However, this is a paid platform and requires a subscription to use their services.

MOD #1 POST #4: SET-BC – Classroom technologies and FPPL

https://www.setbc.org/2018/07/classroom-technologies-and-first-peoples-principles-of-learning/#1532551113121-ecf236aa-d652

Special Education Technology British Columbia (SET-BC) is a ministry organization that supports students across the province by providing access to the curriculum through the use of educational technologies. This resource by SET-BC links classroom technologies with the First People’s Principles of Learning (FNESC) through content creation, sharing and document. Learning activities found within this resource are created by BC teachers through an Aboriginal Education Synergy Project. Within each module, digital tools are recommended to help implement the lessons and learning activities.

This resource contains 8 modules (SET-BC, 2018):

  • Introduction to First Peoples Principles of Learning
  • Context and Authentic Sources
  • Digital Storytelling
  • Origin Stories
  • Slam Poetry and Reconciliation
  • Medicinal Garden
  • Place-Based Learning
  • Endangered and Disappearing Languages
References
SET-BC. (2018). Classroom Technologies and First Peoples Principles of Learning. https://www.setbc.org/2018/07/classroom-technologies-and-first-peoples-principles-of-learning/#1532551113031-acdec398-0100

MOD #1 POST #3: Reconciliation in your Community – Carolyn Roberts

Carolyn Roberts is a Coast Salish woman from the Squamish Nation in North Vancouver, British Columbia. I had the privilege to listen to Carolyn Roberts speak at a district professional development workshop this year, she is an articulate speaker and is passionate about Indigenous education. The video below was her presentation at the TEDxLangleyED event, where she speaks about her own experiences and the responsibilities of all Canadian citizens in Indigenous rights. We all have to help with reconciliation and work to right the injustice from the past that continues today.

As Roberts (2013) said it in her presentation, “in order for us to move forward in reconciliation, we need to be able to move forward side by side, not one someone in front, not someone behind, but together side by side”.

Ways to move reconciliation forward as Canadians (Roberts, 2018),

  1. Learn about the territory where you live and work. Where is their community, what languages do you speak, and how can you give back to them.
  2. Educate ourselves about land claims and treaties in place, what does it mean for us? What does it mean to them?
  3. “It is education that got us into this mess, it will be education that gets us out of this mess” – Hon. Murray Sinclair as quoted by Roberts (2018)

Additional resources from Carolyn Roberts:

wanna be an ally? https://youtu.be/zk7bnaf8dus 

https://www.carolynroberts.net/

 

References

Roberts, C. (2018) Reconciliation in your community. [YouTube, 17 mins]

MOD #1 POST #2: BCTF Professional Development Workshops

https://bctf.ca/pd/workshops.aspx?id=233054

The British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) has a series of workshops available for teachers, ranging from resources for employment equity for Aboriginal Educators to teaching resources. One of my research interests is learning about how we can support teachers, so they feel comfortable integrating Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing in their classrooms. Availability to professional development resources and workshops is one way we can support teachers. The website mentions virtual workshops and there are three adapted for online facilitation, Infusing Aboriginal Content (K-9), Project of Heart, and UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I do not know if these are available online because of the ongoing global pandemic and if they will continue to be available online post-pandemic. According to the website, workshop costs are covered by the BCTF, but schools need to provide facilities and supplies.

From BCTF (2021), the criteria for booking a workshop:

  • booked through the Professional and Social Issues Division
  • facilitated by BCTF facilitators who are classroom teachers
  • require at least three weeks’ advance notice
  • for groups of 15 to 30 (special circumstances and small schools exempted)
  • for intact teacher groups, school staffs, etc.

 

References

BCTF (2021). Professional and social issues workshops program. British Columbia Teachers’ Federation. https://bctf.ca/ProfessionalDevelopment.aspx?id=38669#process

MOD #1 POST #1: First Peoples’ Map of BC

Site: https://maps.fpcc.ca/

Information: https://fpcc.ca/stories/first-peoples-map/

The discussion on “Is technology culturally neutral?” brought up interesting dialogue on languages, especially those dominant in cyberspace. From that interaction, I found this resource which is a living map of the First Peoples’ languages in BC. Not only does it map the areas visually, but it also provides audio samples of the pronunciation of greetings, names, and more. Statistics about the communities and languages are included, such as the population and the number of fluent speakers. Along with languages, arts and cultural heritage points of interests are overlayed on the interactive map, providing a resource to learn more place-based information about First Peoples’ history in your community in BC.