cover design

The cover of my notebook designed by our very talented grand daughter, in the cross hatching design from her grandfathers people .
Black red and yellow for the Australian Aboriginal flag, with ancestral beings and the dreamtime snake linking past and present -old knowledge to new, the hand of friendship reaching across cultures, staircase to the moon linking Broome to Canada. Thanks Brooke.

Alaqsitew Gitpu School, Listuguj community

As you enter Alaqsitew Gitpu School in Listuguj community, in Quebec, it is clear this is a school that celebrates Migmaq history, culture and language.  Alaqsite’w Gitpu means ‘the eagle will soar' and the name reflects the hope that students will reach their full potential and be proud of their unique identity.
Representations of the The Seven Sacred Migmaq Teachings - honesty, respect, bravery, truth,  wisdom, love, humility are prominently displayed in school halls and classrooms, in English and Migmaq.

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Listuguj Education Directorate

A day at the Listuguj Education Directorate flew past as we shared and discovered so many parallels in our language revitalization situations and efforts, teacher training for language speakers, and common challenges we face in reversing language shift for our Aboriginal/First Nations communities.
The highly skilled and committed Mi'gmaq language teachers also shared their oral language methodology that teaches from an Indigenous world view and initially only uses pictures to build listening and speaking skills through understanding. Students learn nouns and noun groups, different number forms, intransitive verbs-present, past and future, pronouns and verb endings all using pictures.  Literacy is introduced to learners when they have a good understanding and can use a  range of sentence patterns. Literacy is still supported by pictures. The energy and enthusiasm of these three (retired) language teachers was refreshing and they have so much knowledge to share.
Thank you to Lorna for all your organisation and to MaryAnn, Janice, Joe and Teresa for being so willing to share.

Joe, Lola, MaryAnn, Janice

First Nations Adult Education Centre, Listuguj

Today two adult language learners shared some of their inspiring language learning journeys with me. Although their stories are different they both had powerful messages for other language learners and people in positions of power who can support communities in language revitalization efforts.
Language is important for our identity,  for all ages and stages of language learning.
Language is a resource to restore those who are disconnected from their culture and families.
If you are strong in  your language and culture you will be strong in the world - as a student, a worker, a boss.
Language needs to be used daily, to be a lived experience in order to revitalize individuals and whole communities.
Language learning is a life long comittment.  Use positive terms to talk about the challenges in your language learning and focus on what you can do or are making progress with.
Learners need to be mindful of the difficulties in learning or revitalizing their language knowledge and use. It takes time and lots of practice to develop fluency and you have to retrain your brain and your whole mouth. First to think in your language ways and then to get your mouth and tongue to pronounce words correctly.  Go slowly at first and fluency will  come.

Decolonizing Education: Nourishing the Learning Spirit

Decolonizing Education: Nourishing the Learning Spirit by Marie Battiste
ISBN 9781895830774

Review by Purich Publishing
Drawing on treaties, international law, the work of other Indigenous scholars, and especially personal experiences, Marie Battiste documents the nature of Eurocentric models of education, and their devastating impacts on Indigenous knowledge. Chronicling the negative consequences of forced assimilation and the failure of current educational policies to bolster the social and economic conditions of Aboriginal populations, Battiste proposes a new model of education. She argues that the preservation of Aboriginal knowledge is an Aboriginal right and a right preserved by the many treaties with First Nations.  Current educational policies must undergo substantive reform. Central to this process is the rejection of the racism inherent to colonial systems of education, and the repositioning of Indigenous humanities, sciences, and languages as vital fields of knowledge.

Kairos Blanket Exercise

Learning and understanding an inclusive history
http://kairosblanketexercise.org/

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an interactive learning experience that teaches the Indigenous rights history we’re rarely taught. Developed in response to the 1996 Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples—which recommended education on Canadian-Indigenous history as one of the key steps to reconciliation, the Blanket Exercise covers over 500 years of history in a one and a half hour participatory workshop.

Learn more here
http://kairosblanketexercise.org/about/

This is so applicable to Australian history and reconciliation.

Bringing our languages home

This book has been recommended by a couple of people.

Language revitalization for families. Preserving rich linguistic heritage.

bringing-our-languages-home
https://heydaybooks.com/book/bringing-our-languages-home/   or
http://www.amazon.ca/Bringing-Our-Languages-Home-Revitalization/dp/159714200X

Linguistic atlas

Checkout this linguistic continuum for Algonquian first languages, Canada.
http://www.atlas-ling.ca/

Partnerships

McGill University,  Montreal, Quebec

Today I heard the story of a partnership between McGill University Linguistics Department and Listuguj community that is a great illustration of what can happen when people and organisations work with Indigenous people - respectful relationships can lead to great partnerships that are win-win situations.
Jessica was teaching a unit in field linguistics and needed a language speaker for elicitation. Janine, the Mi'gmaq language speaker and educator, who undertook the role requested information be returned to the community as part of the unit. A partnership grew from this that led to undergraduate students presenting information from the unit to the community in Listuguj. Some students were invited to live with the community over the summer and learn language in the community with adult learners, at the same time sharing information with other learners and teachers.
The partnership has continued to grow. There is now an online presence for Migmag with a Migmaq online dictionary, language quizz, wiki and blog. migmaq.org/

http://migmaq.org/

First People's House, McGill University, Montreal, QC

First People's House McGill Uni
I met some of the great team at First People's House today.

First Peoples’ House provides a 'home away from home' for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students at McGill University. Playing many roles, including those of residence, gathering place and resource centre.

Reclaiming Language Domains

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RIztpztgCCU
It's not enough to know our languages, we need to become language users.
Khasha shared this enlightening approach to language revitalization Reclaim Language Domains by Zalmai Zahir.      
 You can also check out Reclaiming Lushootseed Domains on Facebook.

This  approach focuses on language use and the individual's plan to reclaim the use of their language in different domains of their life. Each person is creating their own language program that meets their needs. Use a language journal for learning and reflection.
Focus on one area you want to reclaim for your language.  It might be making a coffee or making dinner or taking the dog for a walk. Talk to yourself about what you are doing in language. Start with a few phrases. Learn, practise and use only language.
Practise conversations (with yourself, with others), start with simple conversations that lead to more natural conversations. Mistakes are okay. Start with 5 minutes per day add another 5 min every week, gradually extending the time.
Create a language nest in your home for using and practising language.  Post phrases that can be used in this 'nest'.
Use games to practise and use language.

View from the road at Elijah Smith school

Elijah Smith Elementary School, Whitehorse, Yukon

Elijah Smith Elementary School http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/elijahsmith/

Elijah Smith School is named in honor of an elder for his dedicated services to his people.

Core values of the school explicit in all domains for students.

Our Living Languages Royal BC Museum

 Living Languages

As you enter the exhibition area you are greeted by a welcome in the local Salish language. Then there is a a scattering of language poles, each with the language name and a recorded greeting in language. There is a short video about Our Living Languages and a number of displays. A great celebration of language diversity. 

Aboriginal Volunteer Program: Stories of Change

I met a young Gamillaray woman, Cristal,  at Uni Vic who is on an Indigenous exchange from Australia. In our short yarn she shared so many things. ☆
Check them out the Aboriginal Volunteer Program: Stories of change on utube https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A7HHuVXSP

First Peoples Cultural Council

The FPCC building overlooks this serene view of country.

 The FPCC Provides leadership for the revitalization of First Nations languahes, cultures and arts in British Columbia. www.fpc.ca

International collaboration

10 Ways to include more language in your life

From the First Nations Cultural Council 

Wsanec School Board - Lau-welew School

ȽLÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School  “Our mission is to work in a life-long partnership with the Saanich People to assure the continuing use of the SENĆOŦEN Language and the maintenance of the cultural identity of our Nation while giving students the knowledge, skills and attitudes as citizens to enable them to successfully meet the social economic and political challenges of life."– ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School Mission Statement  http://wsanecschoolboard.ca/education/lau-welew-elementary

Language Revitalization

These are my notes - apologies for any inaccuracies.

Starting about 2006 Language revitalization grew out of an unaccredited Homelands Learning Course - learning on country with elders. From this course the interest in language grew with a new focus. The course changed to incorporate language and grew organically having more elders involved and a group of younger adult language learners. 2006-2009

The University of Victoria partnered with the community and young adults from this group have now completed their Bachelor of Education Indigenous Language Revitalization. There are now 4+ language teachers teaching at the Ƚláu, welṉew̱ Tribal School. 

The Lau,welnew Elementary now has Senćoŧen language immersion classes from kindergarten to year 3. The language team translates all curriculum materials into language. On the same campus there is also a Cultural Centre, High School and Adult Education Centre. Adult language classes.

http://wsanecschoolboard.ca/education/saanich-adult-education-centre

University of Victoria, BC

University of Victoria
I was privileged to spend time at the First Peoples House at UVic today and be given a guided tour by Indigenous Education Advisor/coordinator Nick Claxton who is a very knowledgeable  local Salish man. http://www.uvic.ca/services/indigenous/house/
This amazing building is in the centre of the university grounds and is a central place for support for Indigenous students at the Uni. It is such a special place and gives you a feeling of peace as you enter. The two cedar Welcome Posts stand on both sides of the doors. 

 

 

First Peoples House was opened in 2010 and is in the centre of the university and provides support to all Indigenous students. The two cedar Welcome Posts welcome people to the centre. On the left of the door is Traditional Coast Salish Mother/Wife, on the right of the door is the Traditional Coast Salish Man. Both are carved in red cedar by Doug LaFortune, Coast Salish, 2009. The hands up, palms facing the body is a welcome sign. The house is built on principles of the traditional long house construction. Cedar is an important cultural wood. The Meeting Hall is central to construction. Traditionally built with seating on 4 sides, an earth floor and two fire pits. This halls as seating on two sides, with poles representing the 4 bands from the island. The fire is enclosed in a glass triangle pyramid. The cedar doors to long house are carved with symbols for salmon and eagle.

Frogs posts represent coming signify the seasonal change the new life after winter. The frogs are coming out of their winter hibernation in the mud.

It has such a peaceful feeling as soon as you step into the building. The building is based on traditional long house design an has won environmental awards. Very visual representation of people and culture and a restorative place for all indigenous students.

There is the Central hall, along the side is an elders room, offices, classrooms and student lounge. Classrooms are in a circle for learning. Different elders come to the office each day for support. 

I sat inside and watched the leaves falling - it was very calming.

I

Salish Sea Sentinel

The Salish Sea Sentinel The voice of of the Naut'sa  Mawt Tribal Council

This great magazine has lots of stories and information celebrating Aboriginal people of the area: opinions, elections, celebrations, local enterprise and advertisements,  native radio,community stories and cultural knowledge and a calendar of events.  

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Victoria airport
Salish First Nations people