What is the status of BC First nations languages? - First Peoples

What’s next for B.C. First Nations languages?Secure InvestmentLeadership, the First Peoples’ Council and Governmentmust work together to seek investment andcommitment in First Nations language programmingfrom bodies such as school districts.Focus on Children and YouthIt is important to focus on young children by buildingstrong foundations in their languages andcultures. It is also important to make language revitalizationefforts relevant and interesting for youth,since the future of a language rests with its youngspeakers. Creating a generation of young speakerswill begin the cycle towards creating a thrivinglanguage, since young people will in turn speak thelanguage to the following generations.Increase Promotion, Motivation and AccessibilityThe value of language needs to be promoted toencourage participation and to instill cultural andlinguistic pride. Language programming, resources,and funding need to be made more accessible toall First Nations communities and community members.Language must become a part of daily life forall B.C. First Nations.Promote CollaborationIncrease collaboration between communities, organizationsand First Nations to avoid competing forresources, and to strengthen their capacities.Use Language in LeadershipDevelop and implement language programming forleadership including local, regional, provincial andnational governments. An important step in languagerevitalization is incorporating First Nationslanguages into leadership at all levels.Recognize the Direct CorrelationBetween Language, Culture and WellnessPromote awareness and seek recognition of theimportance of language and culture to the health,education and economic development of First Nationspeople and communities.Train TeachersDevelop and implement teacher training anddegree programs at all post-secondary educationinstitutions. These programs must be accessibleand inclusive to all prospective B.C. First Nationslanguage teachers.Create and Distribute ResourcesQuality resources are needed for all successfullanguage programming. Resources include well-developedcurricula for all levels of language learning,books, media, electronic language learning resources,and good quality documentation and recordingsthat are accessible and can be used for years tocome.Develop Protective LegislationCreate legislation and official recognition to protectB.C. First Nations languages and cultures.Plan Short and Long-Term GoalsFor successful language revitalization, short- andlong-term planning is necessary, including policymaking,strategic planning, and collaboration be-38Report on the Status of B.C. First Nations Languages