Our languages are the roots of our culture – connecting us to the land, traditional knowledge and stories offered in our Language Program. All that we know and all of our relationships grow from the words of our ancestors.
Since 1990, the First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) has collaborated with communities who are working to carry their language into the future.
FPCC is a strong advocate for Indigenous peoples’ right to live and speak our languages and practice our cultures. We provide funding, training, resources and support for language revitalization.
Language Funding
The FPCC Language Program provides funding and support for community-based initiatives that are revitalizing the First Nations languages of B.C. The Language Program focuses on three main strategies for language revitalization: creating fluent speakers of all ages through effective immersion programming; documenting the language from fluent speakers and creating language resources that are accessible for learners and speakers; and, planning for the long-term revitalization of the languages through strategic language planning.
We provide funding for these strategies through three separate funding streams: the Mentor-Apprentice Program, the Youth Empowered Speakers Program, and the Language Program.
The Language Program provides funding for community-based language revitalization initiatives led by First Nations governments and Indigenous organizations located in B.C. Eligible strategies include language immersion programming for learners of all ages, language documentation and technology, language planning and Reclaiming My Language: A Course for Silent Speakers.
Please note that the following programs are now offered in a single application form under the Language Program: Language Revitalization Planning, Reclaiming My Language, Pathways to Language Vitality and Language Documentation and Technology Program. Please click on Language Program below to view the description of program options.
For more information:
Language Program – CLOSED
The Language Program provides funding and support for community-led projects that revitalize First Nations languages in B.C. and help create fluent speakers. The Language Program covers diverse project areas as it is a combination of some prior funding programs offered through FPCC. Click Learn More to view details.
Mentor-Apprentice Program – OPEN
The Mentor-Apprentice Program supports one-on-one learning between an adult learner and a fluent speaker. The program offers two streams: the Mentor-Apprentice Program (MAP) stream provides funding for 300 hours of immersion over the course of a year, while the Mentor-Apprentice Program: Connections (MAPC) stream offers up to 100 hours of immersion for learners at a more flexible pace. Both streams provide training and support alongside the funding. While completing this program is a big commitment, it works! Some apprentices in MAP have become highly proficient speakers in three years.
Youth Empowered Speakers (YES) Program – CLOSED
The FPCC Youth Empowered Speakers (YES) Program is for B.C. First Nations youth between the ages of 18-35 who want to become fluent in their language while pursuing a career in language revitalization. The program provides training, paid work internships and funding for education and living allowance, in addition to mentor-apprentice language learning
Language Status Assessment (LSA)
The Language Status Assessment (LSA) is a survey on the status of First Nations
languages. The Language Status Assessment is not a grant application but it is
required for communities who are applying for language funding from First
Peoples’ Cultural Council.
For more details and information on how to submit an LSA survey, click here.
Tools & Resources
Visit the FPCC Toolkit page to view a collection of practical resources to support you.
