Hi-tech solution helps preserve ancestors' language

Most people at a loss for words can go to a dictionary or a textbook, or search on the Internet.

However, if you’re a member of a society whose language is not well documented, you might not be so lucky.

That’s one of the reasons Labour and Citizens’ Services Minister Olga Ilich recently announced new Network BC funding to help First Nations capitalize on the use of information technologies for language preservation.

Can you speak Ktunaxa?

The $100,000 grant will help the Ktunaxa Nation Council record, archive and preserve its language. They will use FirstVoices, a suite of web-based tools and services developed by the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation and supported by the federal and provincial governments.

The council and the recently launched Ktunaxa Nation Network intend to create online radio and web-casting programs, instructional materials and a language curriculum to be used by students, employees and community members.

“Our language is what binds us as a people,” says Ktunaxa Tribal Chief Sophie Pierre. “We must give our children every opportunity to carry on our beliefs and traditions in our own language. This project will help us preserve the Ktunaxa language and pass along our Elders’ knowledge to future generations.”

With only 30 fluent speakers of the Ktunaxa language left in the world, all over the age of 65, there is an immediate need to preserve the Ktunaxa language.

“The language of the Ktunaxa is a language isolate and is unique among North American First Nations,” says Don Maki, director of traditional knowledge and language for the Ktunaxa Nation. “It does not have the benefits of many other languages which have the same root with different dialects over a wider population base.”

All wired up

Ilich has also awarded a $25,000 grant to the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council to support FirstVoices.

But what good is a technology like FirstVoices if you don’t know how to use it? That’s why another $50,000 was awarded to the First Nations education steering committee to create a way to develop Internet skills and expertise within communities.

Not only will Internet access help with preserving languages, it’ll also mean extra business benefits, higher quality health care, more educated citizens and better access to services.

Connecting communities

About 91 per cent of British Columbians now enjoy the benefits of the Internet, making B.C. one of the most connected places in the world. Through Network BC, the Province and its partners have helped ensure that high-speed Internet access is available in 366 B.C. communities.

Network BC will continue to work with the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council and its other federal and community partners to bring FirstVoices to more communities across the province.

In doing so, traditional languages – the languages of our First Nations and their cultures – will continue to be part of the fabric of our province.