all Language grants
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 is the combination of some prior funding programs offered through FPCC. The new combined program creates the opportunity for communities to implement multiple connected projects in a coordinated way, leading to greater outcomes. Below you will find descriptions of each former program:
Pathways to Language Vitality
Pathways was launched in 2020, in response to community feedback. It combines four previously separate funding streams: the B.C. Language Initiative, Indigenous Language Grants, Language Nest Program and Language Gathering & Sharing Grants. Pathways creates the opportunity for communities to implement multiple connected projects in a coordinated way, leading to greater outcomes.
Language Documentation and Technology
The FPCC Language Program provides funding and support language documentation and technology.
Language documentation involves creating a detailed and lasting record of the language that can be used to support language revitalization efforts. In addition to making new recordings of fluent speakers, language documentation also includes gathering all prior records of the language, including video, audio and written texts and maintaining an active archive of these materials. Analog materials such as written texts, cassette tapes and VHS tapes are digitized to preserve access and ensure these resources can be used for ongoing language work.
Language technology refers to the use of technology tools to support revitalization efforts. FPCC funds and supports FirstVoices projects that create and/or update language sites on FirstVoices.com to document and share your language. These projects make languages more accessible and preserve knowledge for future generations
Reclaiming My Language
Reclaiming My Language (RML): A Course for Silent Speakers is an Indigenous-developed program to support Silent Speakers to reclaim their language and begin speaking again. It is a specific, structured program that has proven effective in supporting silent speakers to begin speaking the language. The course was developed by the Indigenous Sami people to support individuals who understand but do not speak their language. The course model was shared with FPCC in 2012 and revised to reflect the cultural context for B.C. First Nations language revitalization.
Silent speakers are people who have a good understanding of their language but do not speak it. There are many kinds of silent speakers, including people who spoke their language before attending residential school or people who grew up hearing their language and understand it, but do not speak it.
The course runs 10 weeks for up to three hours each week. It uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and offers supports for silent speakers, including tools and coaching to help them move forward in a good way to reclaim their language.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a proven psychological therapy that explores the connection between how we think (cognitive) and how it affects our behavior or actions (behaviour). It helps silent speakers to move away from unhelpful thoughts that may be blocking the language and assists them to begin speaking their language. This course is trauma-informed but does not ask participants to share or disclose their trauma.
FPCC provides training for program facilitators and ongoing support as well as course materials, videos, workbooks and funding.
- Funding can be used to support travel. FPCC can assist with the identification and vetting of a mental health co-instructor and potentially a community co-instructor if needed.
- Submissions must include 10 pre-course surveys from potential participants.
- Several communities can come together to deliver this course if all participants speak the same language.
Please contact us at rml@fpcc.ca if you need support in identifying potential co-instructors and/or participants.
Language Revitalization Planning
Language Revitalization Planning (LRP) is the process of developing comprehensive, long-term plans for revitalizing and strengthening their languages. These plans are a way to capture the community’s vision for their language and map out the work for language revitalization into the future. The planning process also helps to build community awareness around language.
The FPCC Language Program supports the work of language planning by providing funding, training, peer-to-peer sharing through virtual gatherings and one-on-one coaching support from FPCC Revitalization Planning Coaches, as well as helpful resources and templates.
LRP Resources
FPCC’s Language Program offers four different funding categories: Rise, Roots, Grow and Flourish. Indigenous languages are deeply tied to the land; these funding models reflects cycles of growth and the flourishing potential of language revitalization work within communities. These funding categories are responsive to the varying levels of experience and capacity that exist across language teams in the province.
Language Program Funding 2025-26
Funding is now available for 2025-26 up to 2027-28 to support community-based projects that revitalize First Nations languages in B.C. This funding supports eligible organizations to implement projects that create fluent speakers, document the languages, and/or develop strategic language revitalization plans.
*Please note, this is a second call for those communities who have not yet applied for language funding for 2025-26. If your community is currently receiving funding from FPCC there is no need to apply.
Language Program Options: September 2025 Start
Rise Funding (up to $25,000): funding is offered for a single year. This funding is suitable for smaller teams that are just getting started on their language revitalization journey and have just one or two project areas, or for teams that have limited capacity to take on larger projects.
Roots Funding (up to $60,000 for Year 1, and up to $120,000 for Year 2): Roots funding is offered for up to two years with the potential for continuation for a third year and can include multiple strategies. This funding is suitable for smaller teams that have experience working on language revitalization and are starting to expand into new areas.
Grow Funding (up to $100,000 for Year 1, and up to $200,000 for Year 2): Grow funding is offered for up to two years with the potential for continuation for a third year and can include multiple strategies. This funding is suitable for groups that have begun or are about to begin the process of developing a strategic language plan with their community.
Flourish Funding (up to $150,000 for Year 1, and up to $300,000 for Years 2 and 3): Flourish funding is offered for three years and includes a minimum of three strategies. This funding is suitable for well-established teams that have a language plan in place and are actively implementing multiple language revitalization strategies across domains in the community.
Eligibility
- Recognized First Nations governments, bands or tribal councils located in B.C.
- Not-for-profit societies registered in B.C., in good standing and governed by B.C. First Nations individuals (at least 65% of an organization’s board members/directors be individuals who are members of or have ancestral connections to a B.C. First Nation.)
- Urban and off-reserve B.C. First Nations organizations (at least 65% of an organization’s board members/directors be individuals who are members of or have ancestral connections to a B.C. First Nation.)
- B.C. First Nations–led museums and cultural spaces (at least 65% of an organization’s board members/directors be individuals who are members of or have ancestral connections to a B.C. First Nation.)
- B.C. First Nations schools and adult education centres operating in B.C. on First Nations lands (Please note that applications from First Nations schools that serve one community must be submitted through their respective Nation/Band Office)
How to Apply
Prior to submitting an application, please read the guidelines below. The guidelines are optimized for accessibility purposes. If you are unsure if your community or language organization is eligible or you have questions about accessing Language Program funding, please contact us at languagegrant@fpcc.ca . Applications are received through the FPCC Grant Portal.
Note: This intake is funding project work from September 2025 to the end of March 2026 with options for multi-year funding up to March 2028. If your community is currently receiving funding from FPCC for 2025-26 there is no need to apply.
Recorded Info Session
This online information session was recorded in November 2024 and provides information about the program, timelines, eligibility and tips on strengthening your application.
This program is made possible with funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage as a result of the Government of Canada’s Indigenous Languages Act, and the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation through the Province of British Columbia.
Additional Resources
Tools and Resources
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.
We are here to support!
If you have any questions or would like assistance with your grant application please contact the language team at languagegrant@fpcc.ca. FPCC staff are available to answer questions about grant eligibility, project proposal ideas, which program or grant may be best for your project and more. You may also contact an Outreach Coach for information on project planning, resources and information sessions.
FPCC Staff contact:
Stephanie Yates, Pathways to Language Vitality pathways@fpcc.ca
James Thompson, Language Documentation and Technology ltp@fpcc.ca
Sydney Moore, Language Revitalization Planning lrpp@fpcc.ca
Melinda Pick, Reclaiming My Language rml@fpcc.ca
Funding Process
We are here to ensure that the funding application process is as easy as possible and offer a convenient online portal so applicants can more easily apply for programs and submit reports. For additional information please visit the Funding Process page.
Click the image to enlarge
Page Image: Udzistalis John Speck, Hereditary Chief, Tlowitsis and
Hiʔliqilaʔgelis Natasha Green, Mentor Apprentice
Program, Campbell River B.C.
Program Contact
Language Team
Our program staff are here to support you through the application process. If you have any questions or need support, please contact us at the email below.