Exciting changes in W̱SÁNEĆ

Our valued and ongoing partnership with the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board has expanded this year to two program deliveries at the same time for Fall 2024. The final year of the Bachelor of Arts in SENĆOŦEN will continue in the usual SCU,ȻEL,ÁUTW̱ classroom, while a brand new cohort of year one W,SENĆOŦEN,IST students will occupy the culture building just above. The incoming cohort has a robust 32 applications for Fall 2024 start of the W,SENĆOŦEN,IST two year diploma program.

This overlap in programming will only be for a year, as it creates extra demands on SENĆOŦEN teaching faculty, program budgets, parking, and space. However, it also celebrates the growing capacity of the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board, Adult Center, led by Kendra Underwood, as they transition to become the W̱SÁNEĆ College! This is very exciting and we wish our friends and colleagues a huge congratulations for this next step in their journey as an Indigenous institute of higher learning. As such, they have come to creative solutions to accommodate for the extra parking and space for the incoming students.

Although winter terms are always a challenge for our SENĆOŦEN students to find balance due to large cultural and family obligations, this winter saw a particularly exciting course, about S,TELNIW̱EȽ filled with fieldtrips to local science knowledge sites (all pictured above). Instructor Dr. Alice Meyers collaborated with local knowledge holders, and retired astronomy professor Dr. Karun Thanjavur to create a wonderful course drawing on Ethnobotany, Astronomy, and Marine Knowledge (Clam & Sea Gardens, KELȽOLEMEĆEN/Whales, Salmon Habitat Monitoring). With input from W̱SÁNEĆ Knowledge Keepers, the perspective of the 13 Moon calendar guided inquiries into connections between moon cycles, planting/harvesting, aquaculture/mariculture, and navigation (wayfinding) through a global Indigenous lens - Hawai’i, Māori/Aotearoa, W̱SÁSENEĆ.

Stz’uminus partnership

Students in the Stz’uminus Diploma Hul’q’umi’num program (pictured below) are undertaking their first practicum this term. School settings are nothing new as many of the cohort have already been working as language educators in some capacity for years. This group of busy women will complete their Diploma coursework through the summer months, half online and half face-to-face with a new set of instructors. We look forward to welcoming many of them into their next step of their journey, their Bachelor of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization, in the Fall of 2024.

Congratulations to all the students in this cohort who received scholarships this past year – especially to Sierra Pelkey, who received the inaugural award from Myrna and Terry Daniels.

Kwak̓wala program in partnership with Ḵwiḵwa̱sut̓inux̱w Ha̱x̱wa'mis First Nation and Nawalakw Healing Society

Students in the certificate program for Kwak’wala proficiency (pictured below) building opened up their online classroom in April and invited other learners and community members to join and learn along with them. Students took turns reading books in Kwak̓wala and led and engaged everyone in questions and immersive Kwak̓wala conversation. This was part of their goal setting at the beginning of the program, around sharing what they learn and expanding the domains of the language. Instructors ikawegi'lakw (Deanna Nicolson) and Yola (Ferrin Willie), felt uplifted and inspired by the progress made by this dedicated cohort of language learners over the past two terms. The summer will see the completion of the first certificate program, culminating in an on-the-land course where students will travel to their homelands to learn stories and family connections within the Musg̱a̱makw Dzawada̱’enux̱w.

A second offering of the Kwak̓wala Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency is planned for Fall 2024, and applications will close May 30. This next cohort will also mostly be online, providing an opportunity for urban based Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw to learn their language from a distance.

First Voices celebrated its 20th anniversary on International Mother Tongue Day on February 21st at Songhees Wellness Centre. It was a joy to witness IED grads (W,SENĆOŦEN,IST instructor SX̱EDŦELISIYE, and immersion teachers, Kiona Bob, Megan Supernault and Cristin Lafortune) leading song and dance during the First Voices celebration in February (pictured above).

Congratulations to Dr. Tahohtháratye (Joe) Brant

We raise our hands to Dr. Tahohtháratye (Joe) Brant for completing the PhD in Indigenous Language Revitalization, the first student to complete the PhD program.

In photo above: Tahohtháratye (Joe) Brant’s oral defense in November 2023, held on Zoom with large community gathering in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, committee members O. McIvor (supervisor), S. Bird and E. Czaykowska (committee members), M. Turin (UBC, external examiner), S. Urbanczyk (Chair of Oral). (credit O. McIvor)

Congratulations to Dr. Lisa Crowshoe

We also raise our hands to Dr. Lisa Crowshoe who was successful in her PhD Oral Defence on April 23, 2024.

In photo above: Lisa Crowshoe, Dr. Onowa McIvor (supervisor), and committee members Dr. Ewa Czaykowska, Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn, Dr. Dwayne Donald (external examiner) and Dr. Lisa Bourque Bearskin (Chair of Oral)

In this photo: Masters and PhD students and supervisors after having dinner together during Writing Week in March 2024.

Graduate Programs Update

In the Winter/Spring semester, the Masters in Indigenous Language Revitalization students have been working away at their final M.Ed. projects. Dr. Ewa Czaykowska-Higgins held a well-attended Writing Week on-campus in March 2024, and have also been holding weekly online Writing Circles all semester to support the students in their work. Student projects are ambitious and innovative and include a survey of language knowledge held in community, a video project documenting a student’s language journey, a project describing the relationship between language, land and food sovereignty, development of land-based or classroom-based language lessons or curriculum, lessons for teaching pronunciation, a teaching guide, and reflections on language teaching.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming a new cohort into the MILR program in July 2024.

Teacher Practicum Placements Begin

Two cohorts of IED students have recently begun their teaching practicums. The hul’q’umi’num’ Indigenous Language students completing their diploma program have started their three week school experience while the first practicum has begun for the Indigenous Teacher Education post-degree candidates. For this six week practicum, candidates have been placed at host schools throughout the CRD. Since the start of February, this group of students have been visiting regional schools on a weekly basis.

We are grateful to the many willing mentors, host school and District administrators and staff who have made this possible along with the six University Field Advisors providing candidate support.

Dr. Jean-Paul Restoule receives UVic REACH Award

Congratulations to Jean-Paul Restoule on receiving the ʔəy̓ nəwəl ʔist | ÍY,NEUELIST | Moving forward together for the good of all | Indigenous Scholar Award for Excellence in Research.

Jean-Paul received the REACH award for his achievements in the application of the 5Rs and his reflective analysis work on Indigenous pedagogy for the Canadian Commission to UNESCO.

Reach Award Winners

IED Chair's Update

Boozhoo, ÍY SȻÁĆEL, Kla-yuu-hoo-ut, Gilakas’la, Dẕenēs̱ hoti’e, Ahniin,

One thing I have learned from Indigenous languages is that dynamism and change are the natural order of things. As UVic faces a revenue shortfall which will require cuts to its operating budget, I am grateful to Dr. Vanessa de Oliveira Andreotti, our Dean of the Faculty of Education, for her participatory leadership approach to cultural and organizational change which will rest on the principle of intergenerational responsibility.

As we contemplate all the changes necessary for continued vitality, I take guidance from IED’s values and vision statement and look forward to receiving recommendations from our Department’s first 5-year External Review. I am grateful to our team and the entire IED family for their continued resilience, outstanding contributions to research, teaching and service and the dedication they show to communities and students every single day.

While the only certainty is more change, I know we will continue to serve our students and community partners with care and compassion and ensure that Indigenous ways of knowing, learning, being and doing thrive.

Miigwec, Kleco kleco, Gilakas’la, HÍSWKE, Mēduh,

Jean-Paul Restoule

Celebrating Community Initiatives: Kakiyosew's Leadership in Reviving Cree Language and Mentorship

Over the winter term Dr. Belinda kakiyosew Daniels was out in community at Lucky Man First Nation, Battle River, SK, working with families to revitalize the language in their homes and communities. (pictured below)

In her home community, Kakiyosew is a leader in cultural resurgence and community empowerment. Recently, she spearheaded two remarkable programs aimed at revitalizing the Cree language and fostering mentorship opportunities

Sturgeon Lake's Inaugural MAP (Master-Mentee) Program

Kakiyosew and doctoral student, Andrea Custer, led Sturgeon Lake's very first Mentorship Apprenticeship Program (MAP). Through the support of Heritage Canada, this initiative pairs seasoned mentors with eager mentees, creating an environment for skill-sharing and personal growth. Kakiyosew's vision for mentorship extends beyond mere guidance; it's a conduit for intergenerational knowledge transfer and empowerment.

As participants embark on this transformative journey, they not only enrich their own lives but also contribute to the collective wisdom of the community.

Nehiyawetan Kikihkinahk - Let's Speak Cree in the Home

Kakiyosew is dedicated to preserving the Cree language in her community, with the launching of "Nehiyawetan Kikihkinahk" meaning "Let's Speak Cree in the Home". This program encourages the speaking of Cree within households and cultivates a sense of cultural identity through language. By nurturing the language at its grassroots, Kakiyosew lays down a strong foundation for future generations to thrive in their language revitalization.

Bachelor of Arts - Indigenous Language Proficiency

This is a full-time program designed for new SENĆOŦEN speakers to build language proficiency. It is a laddering program that begins with a one-year certificate leading into a Bachelor of Arts degree through UVic. For more information contact Colleen Juricic at iedlpa@uvic.ca or Tye Swallow at tye@saec.ca. 

UVic Bachelor of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization for Hul'q'umi'num

A partnership between the Department of Indigenous Education, UVic and the Stz'uminus Education Society.

Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency for Kwak'wala

Do you want to learn how to speak, understand, read, and write Kwak’wala? Join the second cohort of the Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency for Kwak’wala starting Fall 2024.

Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium (SILS)

June 5-7, 2024 2024

Hosted by the NEȾOLṈEW̱ Research Partnership, this year's Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium marks its 30th anniversary, coinciding with the final year of NEȾOLṈEW̱'s seven-year research grant. The symposium brings together a diverse group of Indigenous language scholars, activists, educators, and community members, offering a vital platform for sharing strategies and experiences in Indigenous Language Revitalization. Over three days, participants will engage in keynotes, workshops, and networking, focusing on innovative methods and holistic approaches to sustain and empower Indigenous languages across Canada.

SILS registration