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How the Westbank First Nation is working to preserve traditional language

Westbank First Nation launches new Cree language program

A new program recently launched and spearheaded by the Westbank First Nation (WFN), looks to revitalize traditional language within the community.

On the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this fall, WFN launched a new online series to re-energize the desire to learn the nsyilxcən language. Over 45 videos were made using a book from the Paul Creek nsyilxcən curriculum. It one of the first language series of its kind.

WFN Councillor Jordan Coble told Kelowna 10 he and others hope to engage younger people who are losing interest in the language.

“For many years we’ve been struggling with how do we provide a resource that is accessible to members,” he said. “But it is also a safe place to learn while not losing the essence of our language, the core of what it means to know our language and the true meaning behind our language.”

WFN received $100,000 from the First People’s Cultural Council Pathways to Language Vitality Program to fund the courses.

It was originally planned as an in-person class but as the pandemic continued, the series was shifted online. Students can do the entire course at their own pace with no start or end date.

“Anyone can log in for the very first lesson and start to learn the language from the very first steps,” Coble said.

“It serves as a resource or tool that people can utilize so they can engage in a more meaningful way with more community members, elders, knowledge keepers and language speakers to build up that self-confidence so they can at least share something that they know and walk down the language path.”

While the series was not intended to be released on The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, he said it felt right.

“In order to recognize the tremendous loss our people continue to feel, the loss of our language and cultures, the best way to celebrate and honour that is learning your language,” he said.

“This tool is for everyone not just Indigenous people but non-Indigenous people because that’s the work of reconciliation. It’s not just an Indigenous practice that we need to revitalize to reconcile, it’s how we come together as people in general.'

Published 2021-12-08 by Connor Chan

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