first peoples’ news ISSUE #1, 2015 first peoples’ cultural council 25 YEARS IN THIS ISSUE Our Living Languages Exhibition 1 Our Living Languages Exhibition Wins Prestigious Award WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD The “Our Living Languages” Exhibition, attention to the many amazing commu- 2 Report on the Status of Languages jointly created by the First Peoples’ nity-based language revitalization efforts,” Shows Increase in Learners, Cultural Council and the Royal BC says Tracey Herbert, Executive Director Semi-Fluent Speakers Museum, has won an “Excellence in at the First Peoples’ Cultural Council. Exhibition Competition” award from the The exhibition respects and acknowl- 3 Wa aas Weaving Connects People American Alliance of Museums (AAM). edges the legacy of language loss in B.C., with Nuu-chah-nulth Heritage The exhibition is one of only four entries but at the same time celebrates the resil- from across the globe to receive the ience of those languages – and the many 4 Mentor-Apprentice Teams Share award this year. people working in their own communities Tips for Success “Our Living Languages” is a ground- to revitalize them. Visitors have included breaking and unique showcase of Indige- First Nations people from all corners of 6 Nuxalk's Youngest Speaker Connects nous B.C.’s remarkable linguistic diversity. the province as well as interested people with His Language and Culture FPCC developed the story layout and from around the world. content for the exhibition, in consultation “This exhibition has been successful on 7 FPCC Releases Report on with B.C. First Nations cultural experts. a local level and with international visitors Cultural Protocols “By consulting with First Nations com- because it tells the story of B.C.’s 34 First munity experts, we were able to capture 8 Adams Lake Band Play Engages the beauty of our languages and draw Continued on next page … Youth in the Arts, Promotes Culture 10 Staff and Board Changes at the First Peoples’ Cultural Council Celebrating 25 years of Support for Indigenous Languages, Arts and Culture! A special “tea and tour” for First Nations Elders was held at the exhibition on October 1, 2014. Thirty Elders attended from a variety of Nations and organizations on southern Vancouver Island. Report on the Status of Languages Shows INCREASE IN LEARNERS, SEMI-FLUENT SPEAKERS instruction is just 5.73 hours per week. “We can see that our efforts are paying off, but there is still a considerable amount of work to be done,” says Tracey. “These next few years are critical ones for us. While we still have remaining fluent speakers, it’s imperative that Tracey Herbert, we work together to pass on language Executive Director at through community-based programs FPCC, holding a copy that work, be they archiving, immersion of the Report on the or mentoring.” Status of B.C. First Nations Languages Tracey expects that the report will 2014. (Photo credit: be a useful tool resource for FPCC in Gord Kerr of West its fundraising efforts, as well as an Coast Photographic) important resource for First Nations communities and language stakeholders When the First Peoples’ Cultural Council this number is down from 2010, throughout B.C. To download the entire originally published the Report on the a decrease that is predictable given the report, go to www.fpcc.ca and click on the Status of B.C. First Nations Languages in ongoing decline in the number of Elders. “Status of Languages Report” icon. 2010, 8,948 study participants identified “It’s fair to say that the federal as being “semi-fluent.” Today, that government’s attempts at assimilation, number has increased by 3,144 speakers and in particular the residential school Continued from cover … to 12,092. The majority of these semi- system, are the largest contributors to fluent speakers are under the age of 65, language loss in B.C.,” says Suzanne Nations languages from the perspective and nearly 30% are under 25. Gessner, one of the co-authors of the of its First Nations people,” says Tracey. “We see this increase as a positive report. “We are losing an entire generation For those who haven’t been able to trend,” says FPCC’s Executive Director of people who spoke in the language as make it to the exhibition, or who would Tracey Herbert. “It shows that language children.” like to share it with others, elements of learning is on the rise amongst First Fortunately, in addition to the increase the exhibition are now available online. Nations in B.C., and is a reason for in younger learners, some language Visit http://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/ optimism about the future of the resources such as digital archives are articles/our-living-languages/ to take a province’s Indigenous languages.” on the rise. One hundred and seventeen behind-the-scenes look at the stories and The 2014 report is the result of a communities – almost twice the number information from the exhibition, including comprehensive, multi-year study carried in 2010 – now have access to a the cradle theatre. out by FPCC, in which 185 out of 203 FirstVoices.com archive of their language. communities with a total population of These archives are an invaluable 129,730 were surveyed. Like the original community resource for current learners report in 2010, the updated version and future generations. examined three key variables: speakers, In other areas, progress is slower. For education and resources. example, just over half of communities Overall, the study discovered that there have curriculum materials to teach are 5,289 fluent speakers of First Nations their languages, and while some languages in B.C. Representing just over community schools have full immersion four percent of the total population, programming, average language 2 Wa aas Weaving Connects People WITH NUU-CHAH-NULTH HERITAGE The class teaches every aspect of making the baskets, from selecting and harvesting the grasses to choosing a mold, then preparing the grass by cut- ting and dying it and finally weaving the basket from the base all the way to the lid. “A lot of work goes in. It’s a long process just to get the grass ready.” Last year’s Sharing Traditional Arts grant allowed the class to happen, including a field trip to harvest the two types of grass, which are found in swamplands. According to Witchita, the grasses are get- ting harder and harder to find as a result of changes to the ecosystem caused by global warming as well as land and water pollution. “I was able to rent a car and go to Fanny Bay and Toquart Bay to pick the grass with some of the ladies in the class,” says Witchita. “It was such an adventure.” Weavers picking grasses at Fanny Bay. The class had 30 students last year and 5 are returning this term to create When Witchita – as Bertha Paull prefers so excited. I was amazed when she added finer pieces, like lids, for their baskets. to be called – found a traditional Nuu- about a half inch to my basket in no time Students include both First Nations and chah-nulth basket at the side of the road – it took me so long at first.” non-First Nations people of all ages, and more than four decades ago, it turned Today, Witchita teaches the Wa aas in 2014, 3 of the 30 students were men. out to be what she calls a “serendipitous weaving class in Victoria B.C. Funded In addition to teaching the weaving, coincidence.” Finding the basket through FPCC’s Sharing Traditional Arts Witchita incorporates cultural knowledge prompted Witchita to promptly enrol in Across Generations program, the class in the lessons. “I teach them to say all a local class taught by renowned Nuu- teaches the art of mamook, or making the words in language – the grass names chah-nulth weaver Mabel Taylor to learn traditional Nuu-chah-nulth grass baskets and the tools. Plus we learn a lullaby the little-known art of basket weaving. that were once used by whalers to carry about weaving.” The class was starting the following week himix – sun and windscreen made from In this way, the Wa aas class helps – another lucky coincidence. rendered deer fat and ground shells. reconnect Nuu-chah-nulth people living As it turned out, the connection to The baskets are unique to the west away from home to their own culture and weaving was personal for Witchita. coast of North America and many people homeland. It also teaches others about “My mother and grandmother were both are unaware of their traditional use or Nuu-chah-nulth heritage in a way that weavers, and I didn’t even know,” says significance. “After contact, we weren’t is rewarding and fun. “Once you start Witchita. “My father made my mother allowed to whale anymore, but there were learning a weaving process, the options quit weaving in her ‘20s to have children.” still weavers,” explains Witchita. “So the are endless,” says Witchita. Witchita’s enthusiasm to learn inspired weaving became more decorative – her mother to take up weaving again, too. to cover vases, make earrings, that sort “When I went to see my mother, she was of thing.” Continued on page 5 … 3 Mentor-Apprentice Teams SHARE TIPS FOR SUCCESS We spoke with three apprentices as their • What learning strategies are working The Mentor-Apprentice Program is funded by second year in the Mentor-Apprentice best for their team, and the New Relationship Trust and the Ministry program came to a close. Adam Manson, • The impact of their language work of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. Crystal Tom and Jask–waan Bedard were on the community asked to share two things: ADAM MANSON and GARY MANSON We are following First Peoples’ advice to I’ve been working with youth in the try and stay within the Hul’q’umi’num community for years – coaching soccer, language and to learn survival phrases.