Wed 4 Apr 2007
Indigenous languages in Alberta
Posted by jangari under Indigenous, Linguistics
[5] Comments
Courtesy of the Indigenous Languages and Technology list, and in turn, of Bulanjdjan for pointing me in its direction.
I’ve just read that the Ministry of Canadian Heritage will be contributing just over $230,000 (Canadian, I’d assume) towards aboriginal language ‘retention’¹ in Alberta .
Given the list of languages this grant will service (Cree, Dene, Beaver, Chipewyan, Saulteaux, Nakota, Blackfoot, Kainai, Peikani, and Tsuu T’ina) and the number of ways they would like to do so (language workshops, language classes, teacher training, language documentation, immersion camps, Elders reading programs, and the development of language learning materials), it doesn’t equate to a very generous sum of money, but realistically, funding is scant and one does what one can with what one has. In any case it’s an awful lot more than anything the Australian federal government would be happy to invest.
¹Nice word, ‘retention’. Doesn’t quite have the problems associated with ‘restoration’ or worse, ‘preservation’.
April 4th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
I’m not very well versed in this aspect of linguistics since I’m studying L1 phonology, but my department at the University of Calgary has quite a few people working on a Blackfoot project that is proving to be quite exciting.
April 4th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I just found out that there are actually more like 7 languages concerned here. ‘Blackfoot’ appears to refer to Kainai and Peikani as well. Dene too, seems to refer to Chipewyan (I’ve linked all names to the native-languages.org page on each).
Himbly, I’d never have known had you not mentioned the Blackfoot Project, so thanks!
April 4th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
I think this is going to be a very exciting and rewarding project for all those involved. As far as I know, linguistics grad students from the University of Alberta will be involved in the project, assisting with workshops, teacher training, etc. Most grad students I know will work for a song (!) so hopefully the funds will be able to stretch quite a way. You’re right in being disappointed about our federal government’s lack of interest in such projects here in Australia. But with an election around the corner, there’s always hope for a brighter future!
April 4th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
True Beth, they will work for a song – I only lose money while out in the field – and the more I think about it, $230,000, 7 or so languages, that should stretch out to a publication or two each and plenty of hands-on teaching, then after a while it may gain a bit of momentum and attract more funding.
It’ll be interesting to follow.
April 4th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
I grew up in Montreal, with very little contact with the tribes around the province, except for school trips to watch (and my memory may have failed me) the Cree and I think Algonquin ritual dances. With smatterings of Dutch, French and Hebrew in my household, I have always fascinated with languages and meaning to the extent that I teach English and am continually absorbed by word derivations and evolution.
I found your blog through a Teacher’s Education and I must say that I am woefully ignorant of the depth of linguistic variety among tribes in Canada. I find this fascinating.