Deadline: 14-Dec-23
The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) is pleased to announce Reclaiming My Language Course for people who understand but do not speak their First Nations language.
The course is based on a successful program that was developed in Norway and Sweden for and by Indigenous Sami people. The model uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to support Silent Speakers to overcome blockages about using their Indigenous language in their communities.
Silent speakers are people who have a good understanding of their language but do not speak it. There are many kinds of silent speakers, including people who spoke their language before attending residential school or people who grew up hearing their language and understand it, but do not speak it.
There are three parts to the course: class time, homework, and internship.
- Class Time
- The course runs for 10 weeks, for 2-3 hours each week. Each class consists of a CBT lesson and a general language topic, such as how children and adults differ in learning a language. In addition, participants will share their feelings about speaking their language and will discuss their weekly homework assignments.
- Homework
- Homework is an important part of the course. For homework, participants are required to spend at least an hour a week with a fluent mentor. Participants will be given a language topic to practice speaking with their mentors in a fun, relaxed, one-on-one setting. In addition, there will be a reading assignment and a “challenge” homework where participants can try to use their language in a new situation or with a new person.
- Internship
- All First Nations communities in British Columbia would love to have more speakers involved in language programs – from daycares to schools to adult programs. Silent Speakers typically aren’t actively involved in language programs before the course. Their hope is that Silent Speakers will feel more comfortable speaking at the end of the course, and they might consider getting involved in community language programs.
Funding Information
- The funding amount is based on the expected budget needed to complete the project and is pending available funding. The suggested budget based on previous program years is $35,000.00.
Eligibility Criteria
- First Nations communities/Governments/Bands/Tribal Councils located in B.C.
- Indigenous Cultural, Language and Education centres in B.C., including Indigenous academic institutions
- Indigenous organizations in B.C. (incorporated and unincorporated not-for-profit organizations)
- Indigenous community groups that include ad-hoc committees defined as a temporary committee set up to do a specific task and are not a permanent standing committee
- Previous applicants may apply if all reporting on previous funding from FPHLCC/FPCC (all programs) or the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation (FPCF) have been complete
- RML funding is available to support the revitalization of the 34 First Nations languages of British Columbia.
Ineligible
- Individual applicants
- Public institutions (e.g. schools, universities)
- Non-Indigenous organizations
- For-profit organizations
- Committees, groups, task forces without an established governing body
- Provincial/territorial and municipal governments and their agencies
- Federal departments and agencies
- Organizations with previous projects funded by FPHLCC/FPCC/FPCF who have incomplete or outstanding reporting
For more information, visit First Peoples’ Cultural Council.