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Home , Blackfoot language, Cree language, Languages of Canada

12 REVITALIZATION

INDIGENOUS LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY AND REVITALIZATION Planning your FIRST STEPS learning journey How does awareness of Indigenous “Embodied in Aboriginal is our unique relationship to the Creator, our attitudes, beliefs, linguistic diversity and values and the fundamental notion of what is truth. revitalization advance the Language is the principal means by which culture is accumulated, shared and transmitted from process of reconciliation? generation to generation. The key to identity and retention of culture is one’s ancestral language.”1 Note: The terms Indigenous, Aboriginal, , Métis and are used interchangeably throughout this − Late Elder Eli Taylor from the Sioux Valley First Nation document, as various sources use different terminology. GROUPS AND DIVERSITY ACROSS Diverse Indigenous languages have been spoken throughout present-day Alberta since time immemorial. There are five major language families spanning Alberta. The Algonquian language group includes and Blackfoot, both of which have several . and Nakoda are part of the Siouan language group. The Athapaskan language group includes Beaver, , Tsuut’ina and Tha. , the language of the Métis, is a unique language spoken in Alberta. As well, other Indigenous QUOTE FROM ELDER BETTY LETENDRE. languages are spoken by Indigenous Peoples in Alberta who originate from other parts of .2 LANGUAGE AND WORLDVIEW The presently does not have an official policy to protect or Culture and language are intrinsically linked; recognize Indigenous languages, although this language is culture.3 Language provides access to is a recommendation of the United Nations authentic culture and transmits culture and values Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, from generation to generation.4 Many Indigenous Article 139 and the Truth and Reconciliation people feel that the survival of their cultures Commission’s Calls to Action 13 and 1410. Bill and societies can occur only if their people S-212, the Aboriginal Act, continue to speak their languages. “Indigenous first introduced in December 2015, “recognizes languages provide fluent speakers with specific the right of the aboriginal peoples of Canada and ancient insights regarding wisdom, to use, preserve, revitalize and promote their values, traditions, and cultural practices.”5 languages and expresses the Government of Indigenous peoples’ connection to the land, the Canada’s commitment to preserve, revitalize importance of that relationship and world view and promote aboriginal languages in Canada itself are all imparted through language.6 by protecting them and using them where appropriate.” As of September 2018, Bill S-212 11 WHAT CAUSES THE EXTINCTION had not yet been passed by the Senate. OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES? Recruitment of certified Indigenous language teachers has presented challenges. The Federal Several factors have contributed to language loss Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures within Indigenous communities. Historically, has made recommendations to support language epidemics and conflicts led to declining revitalization, including a study of teacher populations, which in some cases decimated recruitment, retention and training.12 As well, the entire First Nations, such as the , continual funding shortfalls for federally funded thereby rendering their language extinct.7 First Nations schools may limit their capacity to 13 Government legislation and policies of forced deliver Indigenous language programming. assimilation have also contributed to Indigenous language extinction. The (1876) APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE stripped First Nations people of their political power, forced them to abide by various rules, REVITALIZATION and was intended to eradicate First Nations The process of can be cultures through assimilation. Government- approached using different methodologies. mandated residential schools existed in Canada According to the First Peoples’ Cultural from the 1840s to the 1990s and were also Council, the keys to language revitalization are aimed at assimilation and cultural genocide. collaboration with all communities, consultation Indigenous languages were strictly banned within with community stakeholders, and assessing and residential schools, and this was enforced by harsh researching the language status.14 The Assembly physical, mental and emotional punishment.8 of Native Educators in believes elders, parents, aspiring language learners, communities, As a result of racism, systemic policies of community organizations, educators, schools, assimilation and attempted cultural genocide, education agencies, linguists and media producers some Indigenous people have chosen not to all have a role to play in language revitalization.15 pass on their language to their children and Funding, personnel, time available and motivation grandchildren. The shame associated with are also important factors to consider.16 speaking one’s own Indigenous language, both in the residential school system and Canadian The Task Force on Aboriginal Languages society at large, has left a lasting impact on has recommended culturally relevant language acquisition and retention. The impact education through immersion and second of these factors and the gradual decline in fluent language programs, community involvement speakers as the population ages puts the survival with a focus on elders and parents, and of many Indigenous languages in a critical state. language training for teachers.17

Walking Together: Education for Reconciliation CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT more information on the protocols of working with an Elder, please consult the Alberta Teachers’ Prior to European contact there were approximately Association Elder Protocol Stepping Stone. 300 Indigenous languages spoken; of these 70 are still spoken in Canada today. Statistics Canada In addition to those listed below, there are a number 2016 census data showed that only 15.6 per cent of of other programs, resources and apps available the Indigenous population reported being able to that support Indigenous language revitalization. conduct a conversation in an Aboriginal language.18 Websites Linguistic experts predict that only three Indigenous • The Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park website languages—Cree, Ojibway and —will includes a brief history of the , survive this century. This is due to several factors, syllabics and . It also includes including few speakers relative to their associated a Blackfoot dictionary with audio clips of the population, fluent speakers tending to be older adults, words and phrases being spoken in Blackfoot. most speakers being bilingual in French or English www.blackfootcrossing.ca/language.html and the language not being taught to children. • The Inuktitut Language Programme’s goal is to preserve and protect the language of the Inuit and promote its use. www.avataq.qc.ca/en/ PROMISING PRACTICES IN ALBERTA Institute/Departments/Inuktitut-Language In Alberta’s education system, work is being done to • Learn Michif is a website that houses lessons and help facilitate Indigenous language learning. Alberta videos on the Michif language. www.learnmichif.com/ Education’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education • Rocky Mountain Nakoda is an independent website Policy Framework19 commits to “[providing] First intended to help communicate, standardize, Nations, Métis and Inuit learners with access to maintain and accurately preserve the authentic culturally relevant learning opportunities,” and ancestral Ĩyãħé Nakoda for current and future support for Indigenous language learning falls within generations. www.rockymountainnakoda.com this mandate. According to Education Minister David • The Tsuut’ina Gunaha Institute’s vision is the Eggen, “studies show learning and having the ability full revitalization of the Tsuut’ina Gunaha in to speak an Indigenous language increases academic all forms, spoken and written, as a legacy to success for students and strengthens the connection past, present and future Tsuut’ina People. http:// tsuutinanation.com/tsuutina-gunaha-institute/ between Indigenous people and their culture.”20

In order to facilitate Indigenous language course Apps development and instruction, Alberta Education has • ATC Cree, Piikani Paitakiiyssin, and Saysi Dene released a First Nations, Métis and Inuit Language and Culture Twelve Year (Kindergarten to Grade 12) Template.21 It can be adapted to meet the needs of NEXT STEPS communities in order to construct locally developed courses aligned to local cultures and languages. As well, Blackfoot and and Culture Twelve Year “Through language people are connected with their (K–12) programs of study are available to Alberta schools. history, their ancestors and their land, and as a language 22 In addition, several provincial schools and declines, so too does the sense of identity of a people.” First Nations–operated schools offer Indigenous Given the fact that language and culture are inextricably language programs in order to facilitate woven, it is important for educators to be aware of the link language acquisition and revitalization. between language, culture and identity for many Indigenous students. Language connects people to their families, history, RESOURCES ancestors, elders, knowledge keepers, stories and land. 23 Elders and Knowledge Keepers play a central role Reconciliation means “establishing and maintaining a in language revitalization. The knowledge they mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal possess represents thousands of years of history and non-Aboriginal people in Canada.” The Truth and and wisdom shared through oral traditions. For Reconciliation Commission calls upon the Government

Stepping Stones | 12 | INDIGENOUS LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY AND REVITALIZATION of Canada to acknowledge that 12 Towards a New Beginning. A Foundation Report NOTES For A Strategy to Revitalize First Nations, Inuit Aboriginal rights include language and Métis Languages and Culture, A Report to 1 Towards a New Beginning, A Foundational the Minister of Canadian Heritage by The Task rights and enact policies to Report For A Strategy to Revitalize First Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, Nations, Inuit and Métis Languages and 24 June 2005. http://publications.gc.ca/collections/ preserve Aboriginal languages. Culture. http://publications.gc.ca/collections/ collection_2018/pch/CH4-96-2005-eng.pdf collection_2018/pch/CH4-96-2005-eng.pdf Schools can play a vital role in 13 Federal Spending on Primary and Secondary 2 “About, Languages” Canadian Indigenous Education on First Nations Reserves. Languages and Literacy Development Institute Indigenous language revitalization. www.pbodpb.gc.ca/web/default/files/files/files/ (CILLDI), University of Alberta website. www Publications/First_Nations_Education_EN.pdf Individual classroom teachers .ualberta.ca/canadian-indigenous-languages-and- can demonstrate respect for literacy-development-institute/about/languages 14 FPHLCC Language Authority and Planning 3 Concept, November 5–6, 2009. www.fpcc.ca/ diverse Indigenous languages by Linguistic Ideologies of Native American Language Revitalization: Doing the Lost Language Ghost files/PDF/LAP_Concept_diagram.pdf engaging with local Indigenous Dance. David Leedom Shaul. Springer, 2014. 15 Guidelines for Strengthening Indigenous language speakers. Building these 4 We Are Our Language: Ethnography Languages. Assembly of Alaska Native Educators. of Language Revitalization in a Northern February 2001. http://ankn.uaf.edu/publications/ relationships deepens awareness of Athabaskan Community. Barbara A Meek. language.html the diversity of Indigenous languages University of Arizona Press, 2010. 16 Shaul, Linguistic Ideologies of Native 5 “Why are Aboriginal Perspectives in the American Language Revitalization. and cultures, thereby advancing Curriculum?” Dwayne Donald, University of 17 Towards a New Beginning, p vi. Alberta. https://sites.ualberta.ca/~cjackson/ the process of reconciliation. 18 The Aboriginal Languages of First Nations People, EDEL335/aboriginaperspectives.htmf Métis and Inuit, Census of Population, 2016. Statistics 6 Towards a New Beginning: A Foundational Canada. www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/ Report For A Strategy To Revitalize First Nation, 2016/as-sa/98-200-x/2016022/98-200-x2016022-eng.pdf Continuing Your Inuit and Métis Languages and Cultures. A Report 19 First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy to the Minister of Canadian Heritage by The Task Framework. Alberta Learning. February 2002. Learning Journey Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, June 2005. p. 22-24. http://publications.gc.ca/ https://education.alberta.ca/media/482255/first- collections/collection_2018/pch/CH4-96-2005-eng.pdf nations-métis-and-inuit-policy-framework-2002.pdf a) How does language revitalization 20 7 “Shawnadithit: Last of the Beothuk,” Canadian “Alberta government putting money towards promote student engagement and Encyclopedia. www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/ helping Indigenous languages.” Global News, July 25, en/article/shawnadithit-last-of-the-beothuk-feature/ 2017. https://globalnews.ca/news/3622389/ belonging in school? alberta-government-putting-money-towards- 8 Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the helping-indigenous-languages/ Future. Summary of the Final Report of 21 b) How can your professional the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FNMI) Language and Culture Twelve-Year practices show respect and of Canada, pp 1–6 and 83–87. www.trc.ca/ (Kindergarten to Grade 12) Template. Alberta websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/ Education 2010. https://education.alberta.ca/ appreciation for the languages of Exec_Summary_2015_05_31_web_o.pdf media/1626270/language-culture-12y-template.pdf the First Nations, Métis and Inuit? 9 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of 22 Report on the Status of B.. First Nations Indigenous Peoples. www.un.org/development/ Languages 2010. First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on- Culture Council, p 7. www.fpcc.ca/files/PDF/2010- the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html report-on-the-status-of-bc-first-nations-languages.pdf 10 Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: 23 Report on the Status of B.C. First Calls to Action. www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/ Nations Languages 2010. File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf 24 Truth and Reconciliation Commission 11 Senate Public Bill S-212, the of Canada: Calls to Action. Aboriginal Languages Act of Canada. www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails. *Note: All websites were accessed and aspx?billId=8064056&Language=E&Mode=1 verified at the time of publication.

Stepping Stones is a publication of the Alberta Teachers’ Association Walking Together Project intended to support certificated teachers on their learning journey to meet the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Foundational Knowledge competency in the Teaching Quality Standard. Walking Together would like to acknowledge the contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit community members within Alberta in developing these resources.

For additional resources and information on Walking Together, visit www.teachers.ab.ca. www.teachers.ab.ca walkingtogetherata @ATAindigenous

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