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.
To learn more about our work and the communities and individuals we support, view our Annual Report.
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
Our Key Funders and Partners
Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation (MIRR)
First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation (FPCF)
BC Arts Council (BCAC)
Department of Canadian Heritage (DCH)
Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP)
Canada Council for the Arts
Creative BC
Aboriginal Neighbours, Anglican Diocese
Indigenous Services Canada
National Research Council
Parks Canada Agency
Endangered Languages Project
First Nations Health Authority, Interior Region (FNHA)
BC Ferries
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training
Ministry of Children and Family Development
First Nations Technology Council (FNTC)
Heritage BC
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (Heritage Branch)
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC)
Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association
ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School
Chief Atahm School
University of Victoria
University of British Columbia
First Nations Schools Association
En’owkin Centre
University of Hawai’i at Manoa
Eastern Michigan University
Blue Quills University (Alberta)
Yukon Native Language Centre (Yukon)
Mi’kmaw Kinamatnewey (Nova Scotia)
Jane Juuso and Sami Indigenous partners
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
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
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
2014
February 27, 2014
FPCC organizes the national Cultural Protocols and the Arts Forum
2014
February 27, 2014
The Language Nest Handbook for B.C. First Nations Communities is published
2014
February 27, 2014
An online Language Nest toolkit is published
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
FPCC publishes the 2nd edition of the Status of B.C. First Nations Languages Report
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
FPCC and Google.org launch The Endangered Languages Project with the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and Eastern Michigan University
2012
February 27, 2012
The First Peoples’ Arts Map launches
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 FirstVoices Chat app launches with keyboards for over 100 Indigenous languages
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
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
The FirstVoices Language Tutor web application is developed and prototype FirstVoices Dictionary Apps are created for the SENĆOŦEN and Halq’eméylem languages
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
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
FPHLCC collaborates on the Premier’s First Citizens’ Forum and receives an extra $1 million in funding from then Premier, Gordon Campbell
2006
February 27, 2006
An online toolkit for Aboriginal artists is published
2006
February 27, 2006
FirstVoices Songs and Stories launches
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
FirstVoices Kids launches – a web-based interactive language learning technology for pre-readers
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
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