In celebration of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022–2032 we have launched the FPCC Learning Series. These events aim to inspire, inform and foster collaboration among those involved in language, arts and cultural heritage revitalization projects.
Online Learning Series
The Online Learning Series is a follow-up to our 2023 Summer Learning Series, which took place in person in Snuneymuxw territory. In 2024, we chose to host our Learning Series online, bringing the energy, ideas and education to a broader audience.
This webinar series is for anyone involved in revitalization work and covers various topics related to arts, language and cultural heritage revitalization. These webinars inform, inspire and provide hands-on, practical knowledge.
Our webinar presenters include leaders of successful Indigenous language, arts and heritage projects from B.C. First Nations communities. Topics range from specific language immersion tools and strategies to strategic cultural revitalization planning and project management.
Webinar Recordings
Watch the full series or discover each video by clicking on the playlist below.
Online Learning Series – Webinars, Speaker Bios & Resources
Creating Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim Speakers
In this webinar, these three Sníchim Foundation members share their experiences and lessons learned from delivering a successful adult immersion program from administrative and teacher perspectives.
Swu7wu Billy | Chen̓áx̱wtn
Language Coordinator / Instructor
Swu7wu Billy | Chen̓áx̱wtn is a descendant from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Lil̓wát peoples, from a small village named Wíw̓ḵ’em which is in the town of Squamish along side the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh staḵw (Squamish river). He is a Language Coordinator and has had the honour of instructing both the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Immersion Certificate and Diploma programs that have been offered through Simon Fraser University. Swu7wu has had a passion for indigenous language and culture his whole life. His dream is to create a world where his smén̓hem (descendants) won’t have to fight to learn their language or culture as both the ancestors and the current generations have had to.
Char George | S7atsáliya
Language Coordinator / Instructor
Char George | S7atsáliya (she/her) has lineage from both Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Səlilwətaɬ. She is a proud speaker of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim (Squamish Language), and works as a Language Coordinator amongst a team of brilliant people. She has recently completed her Masters in Indigenous Languages and Linguistics via SFU. S7atsáliya has been a learner of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim for 8 years, and a teacher for 7 years. She also enjoys helping communities and organizations incorporate the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim in a meaningful and appropriate way. S7atsáliya is endlessly grateful to all of her mentors/teachers from various backgrounds, including weaving, lifestyle and language. The incorporation of our true ways of being into our daily routine, is important to us, our ancestors, and the future generations to come.
Salia Joseph | St’ax̱í7alut
Executive Director
Salia Joseph | St’ax̱í7alut (she/her) is Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Snuneymuxw, British and Jewish. She is a graduate of the First Nations and Indigenous studies program at UBC and cares deeply about decolonial and intersectional approaches to learning and caring for one another. Salia is the Executive Director of The Sníchim Foundation, a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh non-profit focused on language revitalization and immersion based learning. She is also part owner of Host Consulting Inc., a Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh consultancy focused on public art and decolonial dialogues.
ʔič̓ay̓apst̓ałin, we are lifting each other up: c̓išaaʔatḥ adult language intensive program
In this webinar, taaʔisumqa, Dawn Foxcroft shares the lessons learned from running a successful adult intensive language program for the nuučaan̓uł barkley dialect using the Where Are Your Keys approach to create more speakers of the language.
taaʔisumqa, Dawn Foxcroft
taaʔisumqa, Dawn Foxcroft is from c̓išaaʔatḥ, one of the nuučaan̓uł Nations along the west coast of Vancouver Island. She grew up surrounded by her elders and family attending haahuupayak elementary school where she learned her communities’ songs, dances, and where she started her language journey. taaʔisumqa is a graduate of the University of Victoria with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology and in 2016 completed a Master’s of Education also from UVic in Indigenous Language Revitalization. As Language Manager for her Nation, taaʔisumqa helps in the development and implementation of an adult intensive program for the nuučaan̓uł barkley dialect using the Where Are Your Keys approach to create more speakers of the language. She will share lessons learned from their successful programs.
Managing First Nation Heritage Infrastructure Projects: Challenges and Solutions
In this webinar, two FPCC Heritage Infrastructure Project grant recipients share some hard-earned lessons from their past experiences.
Bryce Ross
Bryce Ross is of English/Italian ancestry, born in Edmonton, raised in Oakville, ON, and now resides in Cache Creek, BC, on the unceded territory of the Secwepemc people. Bryce began his post-secondary educational journey at Vancouver Island University, graduating from the Education program in 2010. He has worked in and for the Tadoule Lake First Nation, Fort Nelson First Nation and is currently working for Skeetchestn Indian Band as the principal of the Community School. In this role, he manages the day-to-day dynamics of a school environment, tackles passion projects to enrich the learning atmosphere and works side-by-side with the school board to meet the mission and school growth plan goals. Over the last 5 years, Bryce has garnered experience with making capital projects come to fruition while navigating unique obstacles along the way and he looks forward to sharing his “aha” moments.
Alyssa Currie
Alyssa Currie is of English/Scottish ancestry, born and raised in Dawson Creek, BC; she now lives in Fort St John, on Dane-zaa and Treaty 8 territory. She returned to the Peace River region after completing a bachelor’s degree in English and History at the University of Northern British Columbia and a master’s in English at the University of Victoria. Alyssa is the Executive Director of the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society, a nonprofit partnership between Doig River, Prophet River, and West Moberly First Nations. In this role, she oversees day-to-day management of Tse’k’wa National Historic Site and works with the Board of Directors to implement their mission. Alyssa has spent the last three years working with Project Managers to oversee major infrastructure upgrades to the site and is eager to share some of the lessons learned during this transformation.
Dákwänje zhą kúnje – I will only speak our language
In this webinar, Khásha shares his language learning journey from stringing together a few phrases to his decision to only speak his language. He presents entirely in dákwänje (Southern Tutchone), with Shänch’ea as his translator.
Khásha | Stephen Reid
In my mommaʼs country my name is Khásha. Iʼm from the crow people on my mommaʼs side, from the Shadhäla people, thatʼs champagne people. my daddyʼs people are from Bella Bella B.C. Kimsquit people. I have a beautiful wife her name is chundaymą, and we have 5 beautiful children, 4 boys and 1 girl. I run a two year full-time program with a great group of people teaching adults dákwänje, our language. we run our program in däkwä̀kä̀da, thatʼs haines junction yukon. We’ve been running the program for 7 years now. Iʼve been learning my mommaʼs language since I was 19 years old! Only recently have I been able to string together a few phrases!
Shänch’ea | Mya
Shänch’ea, Mya Kinney is from the crow people. Her mother is Marsha Sparvier, her father Wes Kinney. Her grandmother is Chughala, Lorraine Allen, her grandfather Brian Kinney. She is a graduate of the dän k’e ghàkenīdän program. She is now training to be a language instructor with the current cohort. She also sometimes assists as a translator!
H̓ík̓án̓akvḷaṇts: We Will Rise Higher and Higher
In this webinar, Hḷagṃ̓iɫ | Fran Brown shares about the language plan for Haíɫzaqvḷa (the language of the Heiltsuk), which supports a number of language programs and initiatives across all ages and areas of the community.
Hḷagṃ̓iɫ | Fran Brown
Hḷagṃ̓iɫ, known as Frances D. Brown, is a descendent of the Heiltsuk and Kitasoo tribes. Frances’s mother is Láǧax̌náiyax̌ known as Shirley Windsor (nee Mason) of the Qvúkva ̓áitx̌v du Xaíxais tribes. Frances’s late father is Q̓ámas known as Charlie Windsor, of the W̓úyálítx̌v du Y̓ísdáitx̌v tribes.
As the Language Revitalization Manager, Frances has spent over two decades revitalizing the Heiltsuk language and culture. Frances is unwavering in her commitment to improving Haíɫzaqvḷa programs. She is a passionate community activist and can empower, motivate and inspire new learners to reach their potential. Frances has promoted a significant change in how revitalizing haíɫzaqvḷa is delivered through her supportive and thoughtful leadership. A firm believer in lifelong learning, Frances has composed songs and choreographed traditional dances. She views this as an extension of her work over the past 25 years.
Learning SENĆOŦEN Through our Worldview
In this webinar, MENEŦIYE shares lessons learned in her SENĆOŦEN language journey as a learner, teacher, mother and community member.
MENEŦIYE
MENEŦIYE Elisha Elliott comes from the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation and has worked for the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board for 16 years in the SȾÁ,SEN TŦE SENĆOŦEN language department. Her job has included hosting elder sessions, curriculum development, and building language proficiency. She has also been a teacher in the LE,NOṈET SCULÁUTW̱ SENĆOŦEN Immersion School for the past 11 years.
MENEŦIYE is deeply committed to working tirelessly for the survival of her language, as it is through language that we speak to Mother Earth and sustain our connection to our homelands, saltwater, and ancestors.
Navigating the Development of the Paul Creek Curriculum in Lingít
In this webinar, K’èdukà Jack shares why she and her team chose the Paul Creek Method, now known as the Indigenous Language Fluency Transfer System, to create fluent speakers of her community’s language, Łingít.
K’èdukà Jack
K’èdukà Jack was born a child of the Taku, and is daughter of Yvonne Jack, and grandchild of Evelyn Jack of the Yanyeidí Clan. She is a Taku River Tlingit, and was raised in a strong family that always empowered her to hold up the Tlingit values that were taught to her from birth. In 2014 she was introduced to a way of learning that was specifically designed for endangered indigenous languages. Through this effective methodology, she found a way to not only learn Lingít, but teach it as well. Even at a beginner level she was able to provide learners around her with opportunities to learn and teach together. Since that time, she has moved home to the Taku River Tlingit Territory, where she lives and works every day to revitalize the traditions and language of her people.
Gigi’ihl Algyax Ehl Angooga’m: Seeking spoken language from our ancestors
In this webinar, Jessica Starlund shares how her successful language immersion program uses the First Nations Language Essentials curriculum by implementing TPRS in the classroom as a main tool to teach Gitxsanimx.
Jessica Starlund
Jessica Starlund is Gitxsan and Nuu Chan Ullth. She recently inherited a Sigidim Hanak (Matriarch name), Sin’unks. She began learning Sim Algyax in Language Nest and currently continues to work in a First Nations school, Wilp Si’wilaksinxwhl Simgi’gyet Elementary, as a Gitxsan language teacher. Jessica has ten years of experience with learning and teaching Gitxsan to the majagalee (flowers of the village, reference to children), as well as supporting Gitxsan members to learn. Jessica is also doing work outside of her community, she is a Mentor Apprentice Coach with FPCC, community language events and currently enrolled in the University of Victoria’s Masters of Indigenous Language Program. It is Jessica’s passion and dedication to continue researching methods, knowledge and experience within the field of Indigenous Language Revitalization.
Indigenizing Immersive Tools: AR, VR, XR to Celebrate the Arts
In this webinar, Josh Conrad shares his personal journey to becoming a digital artist and gives tips on how other Indigenous artists can use extended reality (XR) to celebrate their community’s culture, arts, heritage and language.
Josh Conrad
Josh Conrad is a multi-disciplinary digital artist, curator, art director and the founder of Slow Studies Creative. Based on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC, Josh is of Stó:lō and mixed European descent, with strong Nlaka’pamux ties and belongs to the Chawathil First Nation on S’ólh Téméxw.
His work spans 3D illustration, motion arts, projection mapping, installation and augmented reality. Using vibrant colors, abstract shapes, and textures inspired by memories and the lush natural environment around him, he creates tactile, dreamlike worlds that blur the line between reality and imagination. Josh enjoys collaborating with established and emerging artists, helping bring their works into the augmented reality space, where they can amplify their stories in immersive, shareable ways through social platforms.
Additional Resources
From Language Planning to Implementation: A Nsyilxcen Story
In this webinar, Danielle Saddleman and Sarah Alexis from the Okanagan Indian Band share how they developed and implemented a Nsyilxcən language plan where programs supported and built on each other. They also share successes and how they addressed challenges along the way.
Danielle Saddleman
Okanagan Indian Band
Danielle Saddleman comes from nkmaplqs, the Head of the Lake, Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) in Vernon, British Columbia. She is the daughter of the late Chief Albert Saddleman who was a strong passionate syilx leader in Title and Rights, and who is well known within the Okanagan Nation for his dedication to the Return of the Salmon. She is a champion, advocate, and leader for language and cultural renewal in her home community of the Okanagan Indian Band. As Language and Culture Lead, Danielle led the development of a community engagement strategy to enhance and support the acquisition of nsyilxcen language and culture within Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) and for the planning and management of language and culture programs. Danielle is passionate about language revitalization, traditional knowledge, and the health and wellbeing of her people.
Sarah Alexis
Okanagan Indian Band
way̓ x̌ast sx̌lx̌alt ipsnəqsilxʷ. iskʷíst sk̓awílx. kn t̓l naʔsntkʷitkʷ. inmistəm ciqʷlx iʔ skʷísts, intum tybee iʔ skʷísts. skawilx – Sarah Alexis is a member of the Okanagan Indian Band located at the head of Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada. Her heritage roots are Dakelh and Syilx. skawilx continues to focus her work involved in siw̓łkʷ (water) advocacy and nsyilxcən revitalization. She actively contributes to the larger body of community and scholarly research for the Syilx People. She is in the final stages of her Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. She is passionate about nsyilxcən revitalization and teaching.
Summer Learning Series 2023
The Summer Learning Series was hosted in 2023, and was the first FPCC Learning Series event. The objective of the Summer Learning Series was to encourage and empower participants through relevant, practical, and meaningful skills-based learning experiences.
2023 FPCC Summer Learning Series: huncewstuxw tu xe’ xe’ sqwel ‘Bringing Back the Sacred Language’ – Language Revitalization Skill Development
huncewstuxw tu xe’ xe’ sqwel
The hul’q’umi’num’ phrase ‘huncewstuxw tu xe’ xe’ sqwel’ was generously provided by Snuneymuxw First Nation and translates to bringing back the sacred language. The first word ‘huncewstuxw’ holds additional context in hul’q’umi’num’ which signifies “bringing something important or sacred down from the mountain that was stored there”.
huncewstuxw tu xe’ xe’ sqwel ‘Bringing Back the Sacred Language’ was for B.C. First Nations Individuals who wanted to learn and gain practical skills to implement or strengthen language revitalization projects in their communities.
About the event
The series brought together individuals at the early stages of their careers in language revitalization. Participants chose between one of five themes: Immersion, Where Are Your Keys (WAYK), Documentation, Planning and Technology. Each week engaging keynotes from Indigenous leaders Wesley Y. Leonard and Hḷagṃ̓iɫ, Frances Brown spoke about the importance of language revitalization. As a result of this event, 91 First Nations people from across B.C. developed a new network and walked away with valuable tools, knowledge and expanded skills. Get the full recap below.
The event took place in Snuneymuxw (Nanaimo), B.C. from August 14–18, 2023 and August 21–25, 2023.
Acknowledgement
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Snuneymuxw First Nation and the mulstímuxw (people) for their contributions in supporting this event and for generously providing a name for the event in Hul’qumi’num’ – the language of the land and the people.
This program was funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage as a result of the Government of Canada’s Indigenous Languages Act.