ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS FIRST NATIONS LANGUAGES INVENTORY OF FIRST NATIONS LANGUAGE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES BY FIRST NATIONS REGIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCY - INCLUDING BEST PRACTICES PREPARED BY: KATENIES RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES AKWESASNE MOHAWK TERRITORY March 31, 2011 Assembly of First Nations Internet Snapshot Inventory of First Nation Language Initiatives PREFACE METHODOLOGY: Katenies Research and Management Services was commissioned by the AFN to do a search of First Nation language community programs and resources in order to develop a listing of curriculum resources from regional programs, including select national and international language and cultural programs. This was conducted via a summary search of what programs exist, what they encompass and where they are located. Best practices were also highlighted as part of this research. The information summarized herein is organized by program, description, web source and bibliographic reference (where applicable). These data are provided as a regional, national and international snapshot based on INTERNET SOURCES ONLY. DRAFT for DISCUSSION ONLY Page 2 6/22/2011 Assembly of First Nations Internet Snapshot Inventory of First Nation Language Initiatives SNAPSHOT AND SUMMARY OF FIRST NATION LANGUAGE PROGRAM INITIATIVES BY REGION Province Institution Program Web address/source References Alberta Province of Alberta - Provincially developed language programs include optional programs in http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/progr The Learning Languages in Alberta Education a wide variety of First Nations languages, including Blackfoot and Cree. am/fnmi.aspx links provide further information about available supports for language Programs of Study programming: Learning and Teaching Resources Language and culture template K-12 Assessment Materials for 9-year Programs http://education.alberta.ca/media/6372781 Aboriginal Language and Culture Aboriginal Language and Culture Resources /fnmikto12lc.pdf Resources Western and Northern Canadian Protocol (WNCP) With the advice and input of First Nations and Métis Elders, community Aboriginal Language and Culture experts and teachers, Alberta Education has also developed a template Resources to assist school authorities in the development of FNMI language and The following categories contain culture twelve-year (Kindergarten to Grade 12) course outlines. This departmentally-approved resources template can be used and adapted as necessary so that a locally that support Aboriginal languages and developed course outline meets the needs and requirements cultures. associated with the focus language and culture in the community. General General Aboriginal language and (FNMI) Language and Culture Twelve-year (Kindergarten to Grade culture resources approved by Alberta Education. 12) Template, 2010 (340 kb) Blackfoot (FNMI) Language and Culture Twelve-year (Kindergarten to Grade Blackfoot language and Blackfoot 12) Template, 2010 culture resources approved by Alberta Education. Cree Cree language and Cree culture resources approved by Alberta Education. http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/pr ogram/fnmi/languages.aspx DRAFT for DISCUSSION ONLY Page 3 6/22/2011 Assembly of First Nations Internet Snapshot Inventory of First Nation Language Initiatives Province Institution Program Web address/source References Alberta University of Alberta Miyo Wahkohtowin Community Education Authority (MWCEA) and http://www.creedictionary.com/ Further resources on Cree language: Dr. Earle Waugh Dir. Center for Culture & Health Family Medicine, http://www.creeculture.ca/content/ind University of Alberta (U of A) are partnering to develop a web based ex.php?q=node/56 interactive First Nations language portal with dictionary and curriculum based resources to further the development for Cree language in In many native cultures, the influence Canada. In addition to the collaboration with Dr. Waugh from the of non-native ways has eroded University of Alberta, the project secured the use of another dictionary aboriginal languages to such an from Professor Arok Wolvengrey of the First Nations University of extent that entire languages have Canada in Regina. disappeared, passing on with the Professor Wolvengrey has been instrumental in providing this project Elders as they do. In Iiyiyuuschii, the with linguistic and grammatical support for the Cree language and the Cree language is very much alive: It is different dialects. He is working on expanding his existing dictionary spoken by almost all 15,000. It is with additional contents and examples. taught in local homes and schools, beginning in kindergarten. And, it is The Cree Language Resource Project (CLRP) dictionary will have the everywhere, on signs and banners, in ability to translate words from English to Cree in Syllabics and Roman books and films. Orthography (Cree written in English) with explanation of how it fits in a sentence. The translated word will be associated with a picture, sound Despite its relative health, however, and a video clip. The goal of the project is to promote the learning and the language is still threatened. For preservation of the Cree language. The online dictionary will have the Cree society has been subjected to ability to accommodate different regional Cree dialects. the same forces that have resulted in language loss in other communities: In addition to translation function the system will allow the creation of Residential schooling and the ensuing flash cards and storyboard using the picture and the words (syllabics break between generations, economic and English) from the database. Others features will be managed change in the communities, and the educational games such as word matching and puzzles. These games lack of Cree terms for some of the will have testing component to assess student learning. The system will newer aspects of Cree life all conspire include a database of Cree language lesson plans that will guide to undermine the language. teachers in integrating First Nation Languages in the curriculum. For access to more information on the Cree Language, including grammar, dictionaries, fonts and keyboards and other reference material, go to eastcree.org. DRAFT for DISCUSSION ONLY Page 4 6/22/2011 Assembly of First Nations Internet Snapshot Inventory of First Nation Language Initiatives Province Institution Program Web address/source References Cree language: http://www.atlas- ling.ca/# From the First Voices Web Site the following resource is available: http://www.firstvoices.com/en/index- canada-plain British Columbia First Peoples’ The First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council (First First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Ongoing language revitalization Heritage, Language Peoples’ Council) is a provincial Crown Corporation dedicated to First Culture Council. (2010). Report on the projects include the following: and Culture Council Nations languages, arts and culture. Since its formation in 1990, the status of B.C. First Nations Languages Immersion Programming. This is First Peoples’ Council has distributed over $21.5 million to communities 2010. Brentwood Bay, B.C.: First Peoples’ the most successful method of to fund arts, language and culture projects. Heritage, Language and Culture Council. creating more speakers and The Board and Advisory Committee of the First Peoples’ Council increasing the fluency of semi consist of First Nations community representatives from across B.C. This report may be retrieved from 1A Boat speakers of First Nations languages Ramp Road, Brentwood Bay, B.C. V8M by providing them with The First Peoples’ Council Mandate, as laid out in the First Peoples’ 1N9. opportunities to be immersed in the Council Act, is to: language through daily Preserve, restore and enhance First Nations’ heritage, http://www.fphlcc.ca/language/language- and traditional cultural activities. language and culture. report Increase understanding and sharing of knowledge, within both Pre-School Language Nest the First Nations and non-First Nations communities. (immersion pre-school for very Heighten appreciation and acceptance of the wealth of cultural young children and parents) diversity among all British Columbians. The First Peoples’ Council monitors the status of B.C. First Master-Apprentice Program (one- Nations languages, cultures, and arts, and facilitates and on-one immersion program for develops strategies that help First Nations communities recover learners committed to becoming and sustain their heritage. fluent by intensively working with a fluent speaker) The First Peoples’ Council is committed to continuing to provide program coordination and funding for First Nations language and Language and Culture Immersion culture preservation and enhancement. The First Peoples’ Council is Camps (Opportunities also committed to providing communities with a high level of support for fluent speakers of First Nations and quality resources. Cultural heritage, and the living expression of languages to pass on their language our identities, is integral to the health of all members of our First and culture to younger generations DRAFT for DISCUSSION ONLY Page 5 6/22/2011 Assembly of First Nations Internet Snapshot Inventory of First Nation Language Initiatives Province Institution Program Web address/source References Nations communities, as well as to the well-being of all British through traditional cultural activities) Columbians. (p. 2.) Training and Certification. Developing programs for training and certifying First Nations language