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

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Why did we put this report together?B.C. is home to 60 percent of First Nations languages in Canada with 32 languagesand about 59 dialects. This diverse wealth of languages is at risk.It has been clear for many years that B.C.’s greatdiversity of First Nations languages are criticallyendangered. However, the extent to which theselanguages are endangered, the status of these languageswith regard to speakers and resources, andthe work being done to revitalize these languagesis often unclear due to the immense diversity oflanguages and communities, and a lack of comprehensiveresearch and reporting for all of B.C.An important part of the First Peoples’ Councilmission is to establish itself as the key source ofcurrent and accurate information on the state ofFirst Nations languages in B.C. To this end, theFirst Peoples’ Council has prepared this report withextensive data and information that has been providedby B.C. First Nations communities regardingthe status of their languages. This report providesuseful up-to-date information for First Nations leadership,governments, communities, and languagestakeholders to use as they move forward in therevitalization of B.C.’s First Nations languages.In this report we clarify what is meant by criticallyendangered, and provide some concrete measuresfor different aspects of the status of languages inB.C. We also outline many strategies and successfulprojects that are being carried out by B.C. FirstNations communities. These successful projectsdemonstrate the keen desire and motivation amongB.C. First Nations communities to revitalize theirlanguages, and they provide ideas and inspirationfor communities to learn from one another. Thisis vital since language revitalization programs aremost successful when the communities involveddesire and initiate revitalization efforts themselves. 1By preparing this report the First Peoples’ Councilhopes to build a stronger case for the urgent needto act quickly with our revitalization efforts for B.C.’sFirst Nations languages.We by no means intend to offend or diminish anylanguage group, First Nation or community with thisdata by labeling their language as severely endangered,nearly extinct or sleeping. We are reportingthe data we have collected to create awareness ofthe urgency to act.We strongly encourage all B.C. First Nations toreport any inaccuracies and to provide us with missinginformation. In the interest of further developingour database for use in annually updated reportson the status of all B.C. First Nations languages andcommunities, we also invite all language groupsand/or communities to go to our website andcomplete an online language needs assessment atwww.fphlcc.ca.1Ladefoged, P. Another View of Endangered Languages (Language, 68, p 809 - 811, 1992).6Report on the Status of B.C. First Nations Languages
Why is it important to act now for B.C. First Nations languages?All people have the right to communicate,learn and live their lives in the traditionallanguage of their people. Language revitalizationand maintenance is a basic human right—“The loss of a language is part of the oppressionand disenfranchisement of indigenous peoples….” 2It is important to act now to revitalize and maintainB.C. First Nations languages so that the cultures,identities, health and pride of First Nations communitiescan also be revived. Each language containsan enormous and unique wealth of information,much of which is impossible to express withoutusing words and grammar that are unique to thelanguage. As each language declines, so does theknowledge and information contained within it.What is Lost When a Language is Lost?Language loss is part of the loss of whole culturesand knowledge systems. This includes, but is notlimited to, history, stories, spirituality, philosophy,human values, oral and musical traditions, scientificand environmental expertise, medical knowledge,cultural practices, rituals, social and communityrelations, and artistic skills and traditions.CultureThe loss of a language means the loss of thousandsof years worth of cultural nuances, ritualsand practices. It is through language that a cultureis transmitted. Each language holds unique ideas,philosophy, points of view, and intricate details ofa culture including everything about a way of lifesuch as family and community relations, systems2Hinton, L. & Hale, K. (Eds.), The Green Book of Language Revitalization in Practice (SanDiego: Academic Press, 2001), p 2.of politics and power, food and health, art, songsand dance, spirituality and values, history, biology,biodiversity, natural and physical sciences, andinterconnectedness with the environment. Everyculture has adapted to unique environmental, socialand political circumstances, and the languageholds an accumulation of the experiences andcircumstances of the people.IdentityLanguage is an expression of a peoples’ identity.It is one of the most important ways people identifythemselves and distinguish themselves fromothers. People identify who they are, who theirrelatives are, and where they are from through language.Language is also the vehicle for the transmissionof information, stories, history and teachingsacross generations. Through language peopleare connected with their history, their ancestorsand their land, and as a language declines, so toodoes the sense of identity of a people.HealthThe loss of language is directly related to the troublinghealth issues many First Nations are facingtoday. 3 Knowledge of one’s language is relatedto physical, mental and spiritual health. It is anexpression of ways of life, ways of thinking, and culturalunderstanding. Language revitalization playsa vital role in community growth, healing, education,development, strong families and reconnectionto the past. A healthy language means healthyindividuals, healthy communities, and contributingmembers to society.3Ministry of Aborigianl Relations and Reconciliation, First Citizen’s Forum: Aboriginal Education:Speaking Our Languages (Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 2006).First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council 7
Page 2 and 3: The First Peoples’ Heritage, Lang
Page 5: Language Resources• Only about 31
Page 9 and 10: Why are we losing languages in B.C.
Page 11 and 12: Decline of Fluent SpeakersAll First
Page 13 and 14: Table 1: First Peoples’ Council F
Page 15 and 16: They never taught it to my dadUsage
Page 17 and 18: Table 2: Snapshot of the Status of
Page 19 and 20: Age of SpeakersOf the 170 communiti
Page 21 and 22: • University of Victoria: SENĆO
Page 23 and 24: Table 4: Measures of EndangermentB.
Page 25 and 26: • Many speakers and learners are
Page 27 and 28: What are some communities doing to
Page 29 and 30: Case Study 2: Sto:lo Halq’emeylem
Page 31 and 32: The Chief Atahm School is a model o
Page 33 and 34: How can we revitalize B.C. First Na
Page 35 and 36: Goal SettingBased on their needs an
Page 37 and 38: What’s next for B.C. First Nation
Page 39 and 40: tween communities sharing a languag
Page 41 and 42: Coast Salish LanguagesShe shashisha
Page 43 and 44: Tsimshianic LanguagesSm̓algya̱x S
Page 45 and 46: Table 12 : Communities and Populati
Page 47 and 48: Table 16 : Language Education for D
Page 49 and 50: Table 19 : Language Education for I
Page 51 and 52: Nuxalk LanguageTable 24 : Communiti
Page 53 and 54: Xaad Kil LanguagesX̱aad Kil / X̱a
Page 55 and 56: Language Authority and Language Pla
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APPENDIX CLanguage Needs Assessment
Page 59 and 60:
7) Immersion Class: Do you have imm
Page 61 and 62:
Appendix D First Peoples’ Heritag
Page 63 and 64:
First Peoples’ Language Mapof Bri
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What is the status of BC First nations languages? - First Peoples

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