Overview

About Us

The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) is a provincial Crown Corporation formed by the government of British Columbia in 1990 to administer the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Program. The First Peoples‘ Cultural Council is supported by legislation: First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Act

The mandate of FPCC is to assist B.C. First Nations in their efforts to revitalize their languages, arts, cultures and heritage.

FPCC is committed to providing communities with a high level of support and quality resources. Our cultural heritage and the living expression of our identities, is integral to the health of all members of our Indigenous communities, as well as to the well-being of all British Columbians.

Vision Statement

First Nations languages, arts, cultures and heritage in B.C. are thriving. The knowledge and worldviews expressed through First Nations languages, arts, cultures and heritage are valued as essential to our collective well-being and human rights.

Our Values

First Nations-led – As an Indigenous organization, our work is grounded in Indigenous values and knowledge and is led by a First Nations Board of Directors and Advisory Committee.

Accountable – We are committed to accountability, transparency, integrity and respect for First Nations cultural protocols in all that we do.

Results-Based – We deliver programs that work, informed by community-identified needs and solutions as well as research and proven best practices.

Reciprocal – We work in meaningful relationships with B.C. First Nations and Indigenous people, funding partners and other stakeholders in ways that strengthen us all.

Generous – We freely share knowledge, best practices, models and resources as we offer our time, energy and expertise to support Indigenous people.

Committed – We are compassionate and dedicated to our sacred responsibility to create a world in which Indigenous languages, arts and cultural heritage are thriving.

Mission Statement

The First Peoples’ Cultural Council provides leadership to strengthen and rebuild First Nations Knowledge systems disrupted by cultural genocide by supporting the revitalization of First Nations languages, arts, cultures and heritage. We do this by:

  • Empowering communities to reach their goals by offering opportunities for skill development, coaching, grant funding, resources and models of success.
  • Honouring the knowledge of Indigenous people by providing funding for them to develop, share and transfer their knowledge.
  • Providing leadership through subject matter expertise, innovative technologies, best practices and knowledge sharing.
  • Practicing a community-based approach by partnering with communities to deliver successful language, arts and cultural heritage programs.
  • Advocating for increased recognition and support for the inherent value of First Nations languages, arts and cultural heritage.

Our Communities

The mandate of FPCC is to assist B.C. First Nations in their efforts to revitalize their languages, arts, cultures and heritage. Our communities include:

  • 204 B.C. First Nation communities
  • 36 First Nations languages
  • 90+ language dialects
  • First Nations language champions
  • First Nations language learners
  • First Nations schools
  • First Nations Elders
  • First Nations arts and culture organizations
  • First Nations and Indigenous artists and arts administrators

FPCC Timeline

2020

February 3, 2020

FPCC launches Indigenous Arts Scholarship

2020

January 1, 2020

FPCC hosts Cultural Heritage Forum

2019

April 2, 2019

FPCC releases Recognizing and Including Indigenous Cultural Heritage in B.C. a policy paper on Indigenous Cultural Heritage

2019

April 1, 2019

FPCC Launches the Cultural Heritage Grant program with two new grant programs

2019

March 1, 2019

FPCC hosts Indigifest, a one-day Indigenous music and cultural festival in Victoria, B.C.

2019

February 1, 2019

FPCC and FPCF partner to co-host HELISET TŦE SḰÁL – ‘Let the Languages Live’ – 2019 International Conference on Indigenous Languages to celebrate the International Year of Indigenous Languages

2019

January 1, 2019

Royal BC Museum produces travelling versions of Our Living Languages: First Peoples’ Voices in B.C.

2018

March 1, 2018

FPCC publishes the 3rd edition of the Status of B.C. First Nations Languages Report

2018

February 1, 2018

B.C. allocates a $50-million grant to FPCC to help revitalize First Nations languages in British Columbia

2018

January 1, 2018

FPCC launches the Indigenous Music Initiative in Partnership with Creative BC with two new grant programs

2017

February 1, 2017

Royal BC Museum and First Peoples’ Cultural Council host the First Nations Repatriation Symposium

2017

January 2, 2017

First Peoples’ Cultural Council holds engagement sessions on Indigenous languages legislation with Indigenous people across B.C. to support their efforts to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages

2016

January 1, 2016

FPCC launches ground-breaking Indigenous language FirstVoices keyboard app, which allows users to text in over 100 languages

2015

February 27, 2015

In partnership with BC Ferries, FPCC puts out a call to Coast Salish artists to design artwork for the exterior of three new ferries

2015

February 27, 2015

FPCC receives the Excellence in Exhibition Competition Award from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in partnership with the Royal BC Museum for the “Our Living Languages” exhibition

2014

February 27, 2014

The Language Nest Handbook for B.C. First Nations Communities is published

2014

February 27, 2014

FPCC publishes the 2nd edition of the Status of B.C. First Nations Languages Report

2014

February 27, 2014

FPCC partners with the Royal BC Museum and leads the creation of content for the “Our Living Languages” exhibition in consultation with community input

2014

February 27, 2014

An online Language Nest toolkit is published

2014

February 27, 2014

FPCC organizes the national Cultural Protocols and the Arts Forum

2013

February 27, 2013

The Guide to Language Policy and Planning for B.C. First Nations Communities is published

2012

February 27, 2012

FPHLCC re-branding rolls out and the name of the organization is shortened to the First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC)

2012

February 27, 2012

The B.C. Master-Apprentice Language Program Handbook is published

2012

February 27, 2012

The FirstVoices Chat app launches with keyboards for over 100 Indigenous languages

2012

February 27, 2012

FPCC receives the Representative for Children and Youth Award of Excellence in Cultural Heritage and Diversity

2012

February 27, 2012

The First Peoples’ Arts Map launches

2012

February 27, 2012

FPCC and Google.org launch The Endangered Languages Project with the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and Eastern Michigan University

2011

February 27, 2011

The Northern St̓át̓imcets language archive becomes the first on FirstVoices to reach the benchmark of 5,000 words and 2,000 phrases

2011

February 27, 2011

FPHLCC launches FirstVoices Dictionary Apps for 10 more B.C. languages

2011–12

February 27, 2011

The FirstVoices Language Lab for iPad is developed; the kit allows First Nations without reliable Internet access to deliver language lessons via the online FirstVoices Language Tutor

2010–12

February 27, 2010

FPHLCC works with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Geo Spatial/Salasan Consulting Inc. to consult on language revitalization in China and Tibet

2010

February 27, 2010

The FirstVoices Language Tutor web application is developed and prototype FirstVoices Dictionary Apps are created for the SENĆOŦEN and Halq’eméylem languages

2010

February 27, 2010

The First Peoples’ Language Map is printed & delivered to all B.C. schools

2010

February 27, 2010

FPHLCC publishes the first Report on the Status of B.C. First Nations Languages

2010

February 27, 2010

The Culture Camps for Language Learning Handbook is published

2010

February 27, 2010

Knowledge Network and FPHLCC partner to create “Our First Voices” – 13 short films about language revitalization work in B.C.

2009

February 27, 2009

FPCC develops a MasterApprentice program promotional and training video

2009

February 27, 2009

The Language and Culture Immersion Programs Handbook is published

2008

February 27, 2008

The First Peoples’ Language Map of B.C. launches – available in print and online

2007

February 27, 2007

A prototype of the FirstVoices Language Tutor, a languageteaching and learning tool, is launched

2007

February 27, 2007

New immersion-focused language programs are launched based on feedback from First Nations communities in B.C. and Indigenous language experts (Mentor-Apprentice, Language Nest, Language and Culture Immersion Camp, Language Revitalization Planning)

2007–08

February 27, 2007

FirstVoices receives the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Partnership category

2006

February 27, 2006

An online toolkit for Aboriginal artists is published

2006

February 27, 2006

FirstVoices Songs and Stories launches

2006

February 27, 2006

FPHLCC collaborates on the Premier’s First Citizens’ Forum and receives an extra $1 million in funding from then Premier, Gordon Campbell

2005

February 27, 2005

FirstVoices makes its global debut at Japan Expo, Aichi with support from the Department of Canadian Heritage

2004

February 27, 2004

An online language revitalization toolkit is published

2004–07

February 27, 2004

FPHLCC partners with the Vancouver Opera to create an Indigenized, B.C. interpretation of the Magic Flute

2004

February 27, 2004

FirstVoices Kids launches – a web-based interactive language learning technology for pre-readers

2003

February 27, 2003

FPHLCC launches FirstVoices.com, a technology platform for Indigenous languages, with 15 First Nations languages from B.C.

2000

February 27, 2000

The First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation (FPCF) is created as a fundraising organization to support arts, language and cultural revitalization

1996

February 27, 1996

FPHLCC enters partnership with British Columbia Arts Council to deliver and develop the Aboriginal Arts Development Awards, providing funding for First Nations and Aboriginal artists and arts organizations

1993

February 27, 1993

Aboriginal Cultural Stewardship Program launches – supporting mentor-ship and training for individuals entering the museum, heritage and cultural management fields

1991

February 27, 1991

FPHLCC launches its first grant programs

1990

February 27, 1990

First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council (FPHLCC) is created by legislation – delivering funding for B.C. First Nationslanguages and Cultural Centres