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PSA: Don't be afraid to speak Indigenous Languages by Aiyana Twigg (2018)
Andrews,M. (2022) Ask Aunty - Is it OK for non-Indigenous people to use First Nations language? This video from Australia shows how Indigenous Communities around the world face similar challenges.
Yes! Please learn a local Indigenous language, but...
Not only is it a sign of respect to learn and use local Indigenous languages, these languages are endangered, and without efforts of all of us to learn the languages they are at risk of being lost, along with the unique world-views and ways of knowing that they contain. UNESCO has declared 2022-2032 the Decade of Indigenous Languages, in an attempt to revitalize them. Indigenous Corporate Training (2019) has a great blog post about why it is important to revitalize Indigenous Languages.
One caveat to this, is that you must learn Indigenous languages from and under the guidance of Indigenous Language Teachers (or someone who is working with a language teacher and has permission to share the language). It is important to honour the language teacher's time and realize this is a significant gift they are sharing with us. Of course, Indigenous Peoples need to be prioritized for language learning opportunities, and there are few teacher, so their time is scarce and precious. Always, offer appropriate gifts and ask about protocol if you aren't sure about what this is.
This is a blog post about the start of my Ktunaxa Language learning:
This is a blog post about the inspiring example of Ktunaxa Language Apprentice Aiyanna Twigg.
Columbia Basin Environmental Educators Network (CBEEN) is offering numerous zoom language sessions for teachers.
First Peoples Cultural Council: First Voices First Nations languages from what is now known as BC are developing language resources for many of the diverse languages in this area.
Inchelium Language House: The Sinixt Language, n̓syilxčn̓, is part of the Salish language family.
Selkirk College: Beginners n̓syilxčn̓ 1 is instructed by students of the Salish School of Spokane and Inchelium Language House.
T’kikstn Language Revitalization Project (Autonomous Sinxit) An Interior Salish Dialect, Snslxcin, is a regional dialect this group is trying to revitalize. see the website and book: Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way
Reflections for Educators:
Do you know any local Indigenous phrases or words? Can you say hello or goodbye?
Do you know the Indigenous name for your community?
Why do you think Indigenous languages are so vital for Indigenous cultural survival?
Did you know that Residential Schools banned Indigenous students from speaking their own languages and punished students for speaking their languages? What do you think is our responsibility as educators to help revitalize Indigenous languages?
If you aren't learning a local Indigenous language, what is holding you back? What might help overcome these obstacles?
Who in your school or district can help you and your students learn Indigenous languages?
References
Andrews,M. (2022) Ask Aunty - Is it OK for non-Indigenous people to use First Nations language? [video] youtube. Evolve Communities.
Chrona, J. (2022) Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies – An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education. Portage & Main Press.
Indigenous Corporate Training (2019, Feb. 15) Why is it Important to Protect and Revitalize Indigenous Languages?. https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/why-is-it-
important-to-protect-revitalize-indigenous-languages
Twigg, Aiyana (2018) "PSA Don't be afraid to speak Indigenous Languages - A Message from Ktunaxa Youth and Elders" youtube
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