For this module, I looked into articles surrounding the importance of preserving Indigenous languages and how we, as educators, can encourage language retention and engagement within schools. The 5 resources I found were very interesting and provoked some important reflection!
- McCarty (2003) ‘s article (https://doi.org/10.1080/03050060302556) focuses on the challenges created by conserving linguistic and cultural diversity among Indigenous groups in the United States. A lot of the challenges seen in the US can be seen here in Canada. The article presents some new approaches to Indigenous school to emphasize Indigenous language, culture and heritage as a way to confront the legacy of colonialism.
- Duff and Li (2009)’s article (https://doi.org/10.3138/cmlr.66.1.001) is a look into why and how Canada is committed to encouraging French in education systems, however Indigenous languages are overlooked. It presents a looks into national policies that protect Canada’s two official languages, English and French and what Canada is starting to do in terms of protecting Indigenous languages.
- Report on Teaching and Learning First Nations Languages in Different Locations and Locales by the Assembly of First Nations (https://www.afn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AFN-Archipel_Language-Learning-Report_ENG-1.pdf) : This resource is a fantastic overview into Indigenous language retention, engagement and approaches to teaching Indigenous language in both remote, rural and urban settings.
- Khawaja’s (2021) article (https://doi.org/10.3390/soc11030089) explores the consequences and solutions of Indigenous language loss in Canada. What I found particularly interesting is both the exploration into why there has been such a drastic language loss in Indigenous communities in addition to the importance of language reclamation.
- Haque (2014)’s article (https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2014.89249) is particularly revelatory exploration of language policy in Canada and the effects of racist systems of power on policy-making.