Tag Archives: Language Protection

Module 2 – Post 3 – Preservation of Language

One of the hallmarks of a distinct culture is its distinct language. Indigenous peoples of North America have struggled to preserve their language in the face of strong western influences and the legacy of colonialism. Speakers of traditional languages become fewer and fewer with each passing year. Groups such as the Indigenous Languages Institute are working to try to restore the role that these languages have in Indigenous culture in the preservation of unique cultural practices and history. Whats interesting about the approach taken by this group is that they embrace traditional learning methods of teaching as well a computer based/seminar education in order to help a wider range of students rediscover the language. Interestingly, this approach exposes people outside of Indigenous groups to these languages who do not have the same attachement to Place as a Aboriginal learner would. The goal is to make the language relevant to all people by increasing awareness to the languages vibrant nature as well as its deep historic traditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzOkn0PRxNM

Module 2 – Post 2 – Protecting Indigenous Knowledge

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On the wider discussion of what is Indigenous knowledge and why it requires protection is a difficult subject for those without extensive experience within the subject. A very interesting guide was created in 2001 by the Canadian department of Indian Affairs and North Development which seeks to explain in a wider context what is this knowledge, what sets it apart from Western knowledge, why it needs protection, and what can be done. This document is in part a workbook that allows the participant to engage in reflection and exercises that may assist in coming to better terms with the subject. The workbook components also provie the reader with tools to help preserve and promote Indigenous knowledge while being able to spot abuses of this knowledge. A good primer to be used in collaboration with other sources.

http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/R2-160-2001E.pdf

Module #1-3: Endangered Languages

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Wendake is the Huron-Wendat reserve located 15 minutes from downtown Quebec City. It is one of the Seven Nations of The Iroquois Confederacy—a historic confederation of First Nations living in and around the Saint Lawrence River valley at the start of the eighteenth century. I have been to this small town once. There are buildings such as the Huron-Wendat Museum, the Traditional Huron site “ONHOÜA CHETEK8E“, several souvenir shops, and many tourists as well. It was fun learning about their history and culture, but the most interesting part of my visit was their language. I saw many signs written in Wyandot—even traffic signs.

Wyandot is one of the Iroquoian languages. This website give some background on the Iroquoian language. Unfortunately, Wyandot essentially died out as a spoken language nearly a century ago; however, there are attempts at revitalization such as the village school in Wendake, which offers adult and children’s classes in the language.

Not only Wyandot, but also many indigenous languages have been struggling to stay alive. According to this article, only 545 Canadians claim Mohawk, which has the largest number of speakers of the Northern Iroquoian languages, as their mother tongue according to 2011 census data. Language and identity are closely connected and intertwined; it is so difficult to imagine losing a part of our identity. Even if the language manages to be somehow revived, it would soon be endangered again if there are not enough people dedicated to protecting it from extinction. Conversation can be recorded and preserved as an archive for future generations, but losing languages and its speakers are very regrettable.

Module 1: Post 3: Cultural Survival

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My first blog post was about the Indigenous Peoples of South East Asia, which was a news article. The news article mentioned the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, so I decided to look further into it and lead me this:

“For 40 years Cultural Survival has partnered with Indigenous communities around the world to defend their lands, languages, and cultures.” This organization was founded on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The goal of Cultural Survival is protect Indigenous cultures, languages and lands. There is a statistic on the website which says “ Indigenous Peoples constitute about 5% of the world’s population, yet account for about 15% of the world’s poor.” Cultural Survival helps to educate peoples in their own language, protect the rights of their land and controlling their own resources, promote cultural heritage and fight against marginalization. There are many programs created to promote the rights of these peoples. One example is the Artisan Bazaar, which sells Indigenous arts and crafts, which helps to create a sustainable income and promotes artistic tradition through fair trade.

A very interesting section of the website I came across was radio broadcasting. In order to protect disappearing languages around the world, Cultural Survival believes that in order to keep a language it must be passed down to the new generation. One way is through listening to radio broadcasting in one’s own language, as many people already have access to radio. To entirely lose a language is to also lose a culture because the spirituality, knowledge and values is embedded into language.

It is really sad reading and learning about the abuse and suffering that Indigenous People encounter each day around the world. However, I think through educating people and creating programs through an organization like Cultural Survival it gives hope to the people who have no voice.

http://www.culturalsurvival.org/news