Revitalizing Indigenous languages: Meet some of the people working to keep their language alive

There are six main groups of Indigenous languages on the Island, each with a number of dialects. Some are sleeping and others are awake or in various stages of reawakening. Each week on All Points West, we’re going to learn about one of those languages, but we start with an overview. For that, Kathryn Marlow turned to Glenn Jim, a Language Revitalization Coach at First Peoples’ Cultural Council, and a member of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

All Points West is exploring Vancouver Island’s indigenous languages each week. In this segment, we meet Renee J-Sampson. She’s the SENĆOŦEN Program Facilitator for the WSANEC School Board, on the Saanich Peninsula. Kathryn Marlow spoke with her about how new words are created to grow the language and reflect modern life.

Each week on All Points West, we’re exploring the indigenous languages of the island, and meeting the people who are working to revitalize them. Kwak̓wala is spoken on the north east coast of the island, and across the way on the central coast of the mainland. It is there, up an inlet along the central coast, two hours from Port McNeill by boat, where the Nawalakw Culture Project is coming to life. Deanna Nicholson is the brand new Language Programs Director at Nawalakw. She spoke with Kathryn Marlow.

Each week on All Points West, we are taking a look at the Indigenous language revitalization work that is happening across the Island and coast. There are six active language groups, each with a number of dialects within them. The K’omoks, Homalco, Tla’amin, and Klahoose First Nations share a language called Ayajuthum. Jacqueline Mathieu is one of the people working to revitalize it. She’s the language director for the Klahoose First Nation, on Cortes Island. She spoke with Kathryn Marlow

Each week on All Points West we explore language revitalization work that’s happening on Vancouver Island. There are six Indigenous languages spoken across the island and coast. Plus, there’s one that is not currently spoken. Pentlatch is referred to as a “sleeping” language. Jesse Recalma is working to wake it up. He’s a member of the Qualicum First Nation. Here’s his conversation with Kathryn Marlow.

Victoria Wells, a member of the Ehattesaht First Nation on Vancouver Island, talks about teaching the Nuu chah nulth language with the help of community context, and learning to make sounds from the back of the throat.

Each week on All Points West we explore language revitalization work that’s happening on Vancouver Island. There are six Indigenous languages spoken across the island and coast. The Hul’q’umi’num language is rooted in southeastern Vancouver island, and throughout much of the lower mainland. Dolly Sylvester is a member of the Cowichan Tribes, and is the District Elder/Knowledge Keeper for Indigenous Education at Cowichan Valley School District. Charlie Coleman is the district principal for Indigenous education. They spoke with Kathryn Marlow.

Ditidaht First Nation members Sarah Tom and Pat Patterson talk about working to revitalize diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ , one of the seven Indigenous language groups rooted on Vancouver island.

Tim Masso and Hjalmer Wenstob talk about creating art and taking university courses to advance their passion for revitalizing the Nuu-Chah-Nulth language. They spoke with CBC’s Rohit Joseph.

Ted Cadwallader grew up on a reserve on the north island where kwak’wala was the traditional language, but he lives and works in Hul’q’umi’num’ territory. He shared the story of his relationship with both languages with Kathryn Marlow.

Ayajuthum is the language spoken by the people of the Homalco, K’omoks, Tla’amin, and Klahoose First Nations. Marilyn Harry is the language coordinator for the Homalco, based in Campbell River, BC. Her daughter Jennifer Harry teaches language and culture in the Campbell River school district. They spoke with Kathryn Marlow about how they’re helping Homalco and non-Indigenous residents learn Ayajuthum.

Malachi Joseph, from the Homalco First Nation in Campbell River, B.C., and Koosen, from the Tla’amin Nation in Powell River, B.C., are working on revitalizing their shared language, Ayajuthum. They produce “word of the day” segments for Homalco’s radio station, and are digitizing old recordings which they turn into vignettes for airplay as well. All Points West host Kathryn Marlow spoke to them about their work, and what they’re learning.

Hesquiaht elders are meeting are multiple times a week with language learners to share their Nuu-chah-nulth language. Kathryn Marlow joined one of their Zoom sessions to hear about what their language work means to them.

A few years ago, the Tseshaht First Nation, around Port Alberni, built the Tseshaht Language House. There, they run programs to get more people in the community speaking their dialect of nuu-chah-nulth. Dawn Foxcroft, who coordinates those programs, spoke with Kathryn Marlow.