Pictured above: Steven Ross, Dr. Charlotte Ross, and Dr. Onowa McIvor

Charlotte Ross successfully defends her dissertation Adult Silent Speakers: A nīhithaw Perspective

On July 30^th, Charlotte Ross presented her doctoral work to a packed room of colleagues, family, and ILR scholars, with over 50 in attendance in person and online. Charlotte’s study focussed on adults who were raised hearing and understanding their Indigenous language but are not speakers, commonly considered ‘silent speakers’. While the emphasis was on adult nīhithaw silent speakers, the findings can be generalized to other Indigenous language groups where silent speakers exist. This dissertation contributes to increasing our understanding of how best to support silent speakers to re-engage with speaking their language.

Ist photo: Dr. Charlotte Ross, Steven Ross, Isaac Sharpe, Kevin Sharpe and Paul Sharpe, (absent is Keegan Ross) and supervisory committee members, Drs. Onowa McIvor, Jean-Paul Restoule, and Sonya Bird. 2nd photo: Charlotte at her oral presentation; 3rd photo: Dr. Charlotte Ross, her family, supervisory committee members, Chair of the Oral Exam, Dr. Tracey Lindberg, and guests, including Joan Greyeyes, Director within the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages.

Pictured above: Back row (L-R): Naiomi Toye, Wushqtunaat Candice George, SE'BA'YEQXYE Sierra Pelkey; Front row (L-R): Tulcimutlaat Kimberly Harris, Dr. Alice L Meyers (Instructor), Thi'ul'tu'wit Krista Perrault, Suliquye' Buffi (Elder-in-Residence)

Walking with the Ancestors: Stz'uminus Students Explore Gabriola Island Petroglyphs

On July 15, the Stz'uminus BEDILR cohort traveled to Gabriola Island on Snuneymuxw territory. Snuneymuxw Elder Ts-atsi:a Geraldine Manson led us on a tour of the Petroglyphs around Gabriola Island: at the museum, behind the church, and to the interpretive signage at Orlebar Point. Ts-atsi:a gifted each student with a book she wrote about the petroglyphs: Snuneymuxw History Written in Places and Spaces: Ancestors' Voices—An Echo in Time.

In Spring 2025 ES 381 Instructor Dr. Alice L Meyers was honoured to help organize the trip, and IED generously supported the field trip, as it will form part of their curricula for the fall 2025 science course with Dr. Meredith Lemon.

NEȾOLṈEW̱ SSHRC Partnership Grant Concludes, Knowledge Sharing Continues

March 2025 marked the official ending of the NEȾOLṈEW̱ Partnership Grant, a national collaboration that has supported Indigenous-led adult language learning and revitalization since 2013. Over the past 12 years, this community-grounded initiative brought together 9 community partners representing 40+ Indigenous languages, working collectively to strengthen language learning pathways for adults and support intergenerational transmission.

We extend our gratitude to our community partners — Chief Atahm School, Dehcho First Nations, First Peoples’ Cultural Council, Kahnawà:ke Education Center, Kenjgewin Teg, Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na, University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills, and the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board — and to all those who have walked with us over the years. HÍSW̱ḴE SIÁM, Wela’lioq, Nyá:wen, Miigwech, kinanâskomitinawaw, masi chogh, máhsi, kukwstsétsemc, G̱ilakas’la - we offer our thanks!

We are also deeply grateful to our collaborators and supporters, including but not limited to the Department of Indigenous Education, Faculty of Education, UVic Libraries and the offices of the Vice-President Indigenous, the University President, Vice-President Research and Innovation.

Our concluding collective knowledge mobilization efforts will be shared over the next year, highlighting the research outcomes, stories, and relationships that have shaped this work.

Learn more about the partnership at netolnew.ca

Teaching and Learning Indigenous Perspectives Electives

September 2025 - Register now to ensure your spot. 

IED 376 - Indigenous Literature in the Classroom (online and open to all students)

An examination of works by Indigeous authors for use in K-12 classrooms. An analysis of the role literature plays in shaping and reflecting Indigenous histories, identities, and communities. 

Courses are offered subject to enrollment.

TLIP website