Reclaiming My Language is a 10-week course to assist silent speakers to reclaim their language.
This program is a language revitalization strategy through the Language Vitality Program. Application details and funding guidelines can be found on the Language Vitality Program page.
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 in a community of your choice. It uses Cognitive Behavioural 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 Behavioural Therapy explores the connection between how we think and how it affects our behaviour or actions. 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.
“I was just amazed at myself, how the language just started to pour out because I already heard it as a child. It was there, deep down, but I never did speak it. This program has helped me to
have that release.” —Course participant Seraphine Stewart
FPCC provides training and support for program facilitators, along with 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.
Eligibility
B.C. First Nations communities and organizations in B.C. are eligible to apply for
this program.
Applications and funding guidelines can be found on the Language Vitality Program page.
If you are unsure if your community or language organization is eligible or you have questions about accessing language funding, please contact us at RML@fpcc.ca.
We are here to support!
If you have any questions or would like assistance with your grant application please contact RML@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.