20 - Support Indigenous Language Revitalization
This series of blog posts is inspired by the list 21 Things You Can Do to Change the World created by Bob Joseph in his book 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act. Focusing on actionable steps, these blog posts will take each step and provide links, contacts, and suggestion lists.
Scroll through our recent 21 Things posts here.
The next action we are highlighting is: Support Indigenous Language Revitalization
Language is important to any culture, let alone one that underwent a systemic attempt to erase it. The Residential School System punished Indigenous students that spoke their native language. They were beaten and shamed. As time goes on, many elders are passing away, taking with them the fluency in the old languages. Some languages have been lost this way.
There is a clear and present danger to these languages, so many have decided to take action in order to do their part to preserve them. Many Indigenous people across British Columbia have decided to start learning their languages. As well, they strive to teach them to their children and relatives, in order to foster a new generation of individuals fluent in these endangered languages.
Federal funding programs have sought to provide support to groups fighting to keep these languages alive. In 2021, over $14 million dollars were invested in Indigenous language revitalization. This however was federal funding, after the province failed to renew funding, showing that despite the money, these languages are still in danger.
There are ways that you can help to revitalize and preserve these endangered languages.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Classroom Resources – Indigenous Education (sd79.bc.ca) - This is a list of classroom resources available to everyone that can help you learn about Indigenous language. There area number of stories that you can read, along with guides that help you identify various natural things, from plants, to animals, to berries.
Hul’q’umin’um’ Resources – NLPS Learns (sd68.bc.ca) - This set of interactive resources provides you with information about the Hul’q’umin’um’ language. Activities and lessons are available for all skill levels. Options range from simple games like BINGO, to more advanced grammar concepts for those who wish to learn more about the inner workings of the language.
Microsoft Word - Hul'q'umi'num'_to_Eng.doc (sd79.bc.ca) - Featured on the previous website, this almost 300 page document provides you with the capabilities to translate a variety of words and phrases. It also provides some basic grammar information.
PROGRAMS AND OTHER RESOURCES
Homepage | First Nations and Endangered Languages Program (ubc.ca) - The University of British Columbia offers the “First Nations and Endangered Languages Program.” This program focusses on learning Coast Salish languages, as well as methodology for their preservation.
FNEL - First Nations and Endangered Languages Program - UBC Student Services - Provided is a list of their courses on offer for those interested.
Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land - This interactive website offers a wide variety of maps and other resources so that you can know the languages traditionally spoken where you live. Other aspects of Indigenous cultures are detailed here, like the boundaries of the traditional territories. This map covers both British Columbia, and Washington in the USA.
Home – Indigenous Languages Revitalization (indigenous-languages.ca) - This page provides online resources for many Indigenous languages, there is lots to explore on this page.
First Nations Language Centre - Simon Fraser University (sfu.ca) - These are some of the resources provided pertaining to languages in British Columbia.
International Decade of Indigenous Language
2022 - 2032 International Decade of Indigenous Languages (idil2022-2032.org) - 2022-2032 is the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, as declared by the United Nations in 2022. It seeks to draw attention and resources to the crisis that many Indigenous languages are facing.
Global action plan of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032) - UNESCO Digital Library - Here you can read the global action plan, on the concrete steps that will be taken in the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
International Decade of Indigenous Languages - Canada.ca - Here is the government of Canada’s statement on how they will be taking action during this time, you can find more resources on their page on how they working towards Indigenous Language Revitalization.
These blog posts are designed to be a starting point to help people throughout our community of Coquitlam toward the path of reconciliation and allyship. We encourage everyone to do their own reading and research. Want to learn more? Check out the Indigenous Relations Academy, which has books, training, and resources. You can also purchase 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act here.