Set of new Indigenous language revitalization programs announced
First Light has received over $700,000 in funding to provide a variety of services, key among which are a new Indigenous language activity program, a language and culture camp, and an Indigenous language community library.
The organization says this funding will help urban Indigenous learn and re-learn Indigenous languages.
FUNDING NEEDED
Stacey Howse, executive director at First Light, says the funding was urgently needed.
“Without adequate funding, these sacred spaces face the looming threat of closure, leaving urban Indigenous individuals and families vulnerable,” she says.
Howse says the funding will be used in two main ways.
“One is for the preservation of and revitalization of Indigenous languages.
“The other one is for cultural spaces, which will support artists and the center for performance and creativity,” Howse says.
“With enhanced funding, we can significantly improve the quality of life for urban Indigenous peoples, fostering stronger social outcomes in Canadian cities.
“Our staff are so thankful and so grateful for everything that we're able to do with the funding.”
LANGUAGES SHOULDN’T DIE
Heidi Dixon is the director of organizational effectiveness at First Light and oversees how the funding is managed.
Dixon says Indigenous languages shouldn’t be allowed to die.
“The loss of Indigenous languages isn't just the loss of words, it's the unravelling of the threads that weave together cultural knowledge, traditions, and community," she says.
"The history of residential schools and policies aimed to destroy culture and sciences languages had a lasting impact on communities everywhere."
CHANCE TO SAVE
She says there are still opportunities to save languages and what they mean to Indigenous people.
“Even though the use of languages has declined, that doesn't mean lost forever. We recognize the importance of the connection to culture and language for all Indigenous people in the city,” says Dixon.
“We look forward to continuing working to not only preserve and revitalize the past but also building a future, where our communities and cultures thrive.”
REVITALIZATION
Dixon says a big part of the funding will go towards revitalizing learning the Indigenous language.
“We will be able to help us focus our efforts on language revitalization," Dixon explains.
"Our research and advocacy team will be really building relationships and looking at what's currently happening in communities across the whole province."
HISTORY
Dixon says Indigenous language prominence has been badly impacted over history and wants to see that reversed.
“Indigenous languages have suffered quite a bit for many, many reasons," she says, citing residential school policies that limited the use of Indigenous languages as one of the key reasons that Indigenous languages suffered.
"There's a lot of work left to be done, but we look forward to building on that and continuing to grow that.”
She says the programs will be open to everyone, regardless of Indigeneity.
RECONCILIATION
When Liberal MP Joanne Thompson made the funding announcement on March 26, she said language is an important part of Indigenous identity.
Thompson says this is another step towards reconciliation.
“It really speaks to the importance of reconciliation. We've worked very closely over the last number of years to continue to support the work that's happening here,” she says.
“I think we journeyed together, and we have to do everything we possibly can to support the work of Indigenous reconciliation, and that is all aspects of culture, history and being so it. It's part of that very long journey forward.”