Tag Archives: Indigenous Language

Indigenous languages

Indigenous language showcased on new West Coast bus stop signs, a first for BC Transit

By Nora O’Malley, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

nWest Coast, BC – BC Transit has incorporated Nuu-chah-nulth language on all the new bus stop signs within the rechshed West Coast Transit System, a historical first for the province’s official transit service provider.

Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet First Nation) language keepers Marge Touchie (ʔaʔasmacy̓ak) andJeneva Touchie (Čakʷaasiqḥw̓iłim) worked on the translations for stops within Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ traditional territory. 

“It’s an honour to share language within our community, it connects us and shows that representation matters,” said Jeneva in a written statement. 

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Indigenous Nations

Squamish Nation to unveil 25-year roadmap for the future

Editor’s note: A First Nation’s vision for the future and its political relationship with the larger community.

By Bhagyashree Chatterjee, The Squamish Chief, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Building a future that lasts generations takes time, trust, and a plan. On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) will unveil its Úxwumixw 2050 Generational Plan—a vision for the next 25 years aimed at strengthening the Nation’s connection to its people, land, and culture.

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Indigenous languages

Haíɫzaqvḷa (Heiltsuk):The joy and pain of language revitalization

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

​ Warning: This story contains details that may provoke distress or trauma in some readers.

Astrid Wilson radiates passion, grief and fierce determination when speaking about her ambition to become a fluent Haíɫzaqvḷa speaker and rekindle the ancestral language of her community of Bella Bella on B.C.’s isolated central coast. 

“It’s beautiful, but it’s a heavy journey,” she said.

“When it comes to language revitalization, there are so many emotions that flow through your mind as you’re relearning your language.” 

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Children, Indigenous languages

‘Raising Sm’algyax’: Tsimshian mothers reclaim the language through nursery rhymes for toddlers

Terrace Standard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Dr. Mique’l Dangeli’s toddler, Hayetsk, is the first among two successive generations in his family to have Sm’algyax as his primary language. 

Dangeli jests that his maternal grandmother worries she might find it difficult to communicate with her grandson who knows more of the language than she ever has her whole life. 

“I tell her not to worry, Hayetsk will teach you,” said Dangeli whose battle to revive the dialect of the Tsimshian people is slowly materializing as a tiny army of toddlers begin to adopt it as a first language. 

Continue reading ‘Raising Sm’algyax’: Tsimshian mothers reclaim the language through nursery rhymes for toddlers →