Revitalizing Indigenous languages is a crucial step towards cultural preservation and reconciliation in Canada.

Revitalizing Indigenous Languages is a Crucial Step Towards Reconciliation

By Ran Sommer

As National Day of Truth and Reconciliation approaches on September 30, it is imperative to recognize the importance of preserving Indigenous languages. These languages serve as the foundation for First Nations’ culture, identity, and history. This day, which was first observed in 2021 and is now a statutory holiday in British Columbia, reminds us of our collective responsibility to acknowledge past wrongs and work towards healing and reconciliation.

A Language Crisis

UNESCO reported a few years ago that 88 of Canada‘s 90 Indigenous languages were in danger of extinction. This crisis is especially prevalent in British Columbia, where more than half of all Indigenous languages in Canada are spoken. The residential school system played a significant role in this crisis as it prohibited Indigenous children from speaking their native languages, resulting in a severe disruption of intergenerational transmission.

According to Statistics Canada, 40 Indigenous languages in Canada have less than 500 speakers, with most of them being in their seventies and eighties. However, there has been an increase in youth speakers due to educational initiatives and access to technology in Indigenous communities.

The Importance of Language Revitalization

Simbi Foundation, a Vancouver-based non-profit organization, recognizes the deep connection between language and culture. Their mission is to enhance access to education through the use of technology in remote and refugee communities. They believe that providing modern-day access to ancient language resources can make learning more accessible and appealing to students.

Simbi Foundation collaborates with community elders, parents, teachers, and students to create and develop culturally and locally relevant storybooks in Indigenous languages. They have recently partnered with Squiala Elementary School and the Nawalakw Community in Fraser Valley to bring their language revitalization programming to schools.

An Urgent Necessity

The preservation of Indigenous languages is not just a noble cause, but an urgent necessity. Each language carries unique wisdom, narratives, and perspectives that enrich our collective human experience. Losing these languages would be an irreplaceable loss for humanity.

How Every Canadian Can Contribute

Every Canadian has a role to play in the journey towards reconciliation. One simple yet meaningful way to show solidarity is by wearing an orange shirt on September 30 in observance of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. This act symbolizes our collective commitment to acknowledging and learning from our past, as well as supporting Indigenous cultural revitalization.

The Way Forward

Simbi Foundation remains dedicated to their mission of collaborating with Indigenous communities, leveraging technology, and securing funding to ensure the preservation and vitality of Indigenous languages. Together, we can celebrate and carry forward these languages and the rich cultures they represent. It is through these efforts that we can pave the way for a future of healing, understanding, and reconciliation.

Ran Sommer is the Executive Director of Simbi Foundation, a Vancouver-based research-led non-profit organization.