Tag Archives: Indigenous languages

MOD #3 POST #4: Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest

The Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest (KILN) is an organization in Ontario that supports language revitalization through community-based programs. They are guided by “a dish with one spoon”, meaning they honour and support all Indigenous Peoples. According to their website and mission, they “welcome status and non-status people, as well as supportive settler allies”. Their workshops allow participants to learn language through songs, stories, games with the help of fluent speakers. Their aim is to support the learning and growth of Indigenous languages through culturally appropriate and intergenerational activities.

Module 3 Post 2: Hul’qumi’num Language and Culture in Nanaimo-Ladysmith

The school district of Nanaimo-Ladysmith (SD 68) on Vancouver Island provides quite a robust Indigenous education program, and more specifically a Hul’qumi’num Language and Culture curriculum. Their website contains resource packages including lesson plans developed by the Hul’qumi’num Language Stakeholders group for grades 5-12. These resources provide good examples of how languages might be preserved and valued in public schools. Exploring the Indigenous languages of Canada also helps to decolonize the education systems in which we currently work in.

MOD #3 POST #3: Indigenous Storybooks

https://indigenousstorybooks.ca/

Indigenous Storybooks Canada is a website that provides stories written in Indigenous languages. Their goal is to provide resources written in Indigenous languages, as well as English, French, and immigrant languages. Those using this website can hear, see, and read the resources in various languages to support language development. They also have a resource page, sorted by languages, that provides additional curricular support and visual aids. The stories from the site are from the Little Cree Books project in Alberta and are open licensed.

Video introducing Indigenous Storybooks can be found here:

MOD #3 POST #2: Apps for Learning an Indigenous Language

https://www.animikii.com/news/apps-for-learning-an-indigenous-language

This blog post written by Animikii, an Indigenous-owned digital agency, highlights some language apps to support the preservation and revitalization of traditional languages and cultures. As we have read and discussed earlier this semester regarding the combination of technology and traditional knowledge, Animikii had this to say about this balance:

While technology cannot fully replace group or in-person interactions for language learning, they are a useful tool for learning vocabulary, usage, and pronunciation. To help on your language-learning journey, we’ve compiled a list of Indigenous language apps to supplement classes and conversations and to help you start to think outside the English box.

Part of their goal is to support groups creating apps by both helping with the development of apps or aiding with promoting the availability of developed apps. The traditional languages are met with 21st-century learning of integrating technology in these examples shared by Animikii. Most apps shared, such as My Cree and Kwak’wala are free. However, a few apps such as Anishinaabemowin and Talk Mohawk 2012 costs a fee.

MOD #3 POST #1: Should non-Indigenous Canadians learn Indigenous languages?

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/the180/stop-subsidizing-seniors-good-judges-can-make-bad-decisions-and-which-canadian-city-is-the-most-american-1.4028473/should-non-indigenous-canadians-learn-indigenous-languages-1.4028584

This article by The 180, a former radio talk show on CBC one, discusses the question of learning languages as non-Indigenous Canadians. The author said, on one hand, it is important as Canadians to acknowledge and bring back languages and cultures that belong to the place we live. However, on the other hand, it is good practice to connect with local languages and find those who speak them when attempting to learn words and about Indigenous languages. This article considers different perspectives one should consider if they would like to learn Indigenous languages as a non-Indigenous Canadian, to ensure it is not an empty gesture, but a meaningful connection to the culture and place.

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:

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.
Creating Assessment tools for adult learners to measure progress
Sites of Adult Indigenous Language Learning and Teaching – understanding ways adults learn languages
Sites of Contribution – to allow adult learners to pass their learning on to others while learning the languages
Connecting language with Health and Well‐Being

Module 2 Post 5: Hul’q’umi’num’ Language Project

The Hul’q’umi’num’ Language Project (reference below) is a case study completed by Hul’q’umi’num’ elders and teachers, the University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, and Royal Roads University. The group led workshops with adult groups that combined story, music, and art that allowed for language learning. For Coast Salish communities, the act of storytelling is ingrained in the culture. Doing so maintains language. When combined with visuals, movement, and physical participation (immersion), language learning can be a fun and enriching experience for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. This sharing of culture cross ethnicity has seldom been experienced for Indigenous cultures when compared to other minority groups in Canada. The resources that are planned to come out of this case study should be beneficial for educators trying to decolonize the system.

Reference:

Sadeghi-Yekta, K. (2019). Hul?q?umi?num? language heroes: A successful collaboration between elders, community organisations, and canadian west coast universities. Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, 24(3), 368-375. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/10.1080/13569783.2019.1615829

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.

Module 2 Post 4: Guide to Indigenous Languages in Canada

This “Guide to Indigenous Languages in Canada” was compiled by Owona McIvor (associate professor of Indigenous Education at the University of Victoria). This guide is part of a larger language revitalization project put on by 9 Indigenous-led communities and the University of Victoria. The guide highlights key facts about Indigenous languages in Canada as well as 8 ways anyone can support the efforts to revitalize so many lost and dying Indigenous languages.