First Nations and Endangered Languages Program facts for kids
The First Nations Endangered and Endangered Languages Program (FNEL) helps protect and bring back important languages. It started in 1996 at the University of British Columbia (UBC). This program works with First Nations people. They know how important these languages are. They also know about the rich cultures these languages share. UBC’s Vancouver Campus is on the traditional lands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking Musqueam people.
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Protecting First Nations Languages
First Nations languages are a big part of Canada's history. They connect people to their ancestors and traditions. Many of these languages are now endangered. This means fewer people speak them. The FNEL program works to keep these languages alive. It helps new generations learn and use them.
How the Program Started
In 1997, the First Nations Languages Program teamed up with the Musqueam Indian Band. Their goal was to help the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language. This is the traditional language of the Musqueam people. They worked together on research projects. These projects helped promote and use the language more.
What Students Learn
Students at UBC can study First Nations languages. They can choose a Major or a Minor in FNEL. The program offers classes in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓. These classes are for beginners, intermediate, and advanced speakers.
Students also learn other First Nations languages. Some of these include Cree, Kwak̓wala, Nɬe’kepmxcin, Dakelh Dene, Dene Zāge’, and Nuu-chah-nulth. These languages come from different parts of Canada.
Helping Languages Grow
FNEL courses teach students how to help endangered languages. They learn how to record languages. They also learn how to save them. Students discover ways to bring languages back to life. This is called "revitalization" or "reclamation." They also learn about Indigenous knowledge and cultures. This work happens locally and around the world.
Tools for Language Learning
The FNEL Program also created something special. It's called the First Nations Unicode Font. This font helps people write and read First Nations languages on computers. Anyone can use it. It makes it easier to document and learn these important languages.
