Education Briefs - November 2014

New Relationship Trust has contributed $750,000 to First Peoples’ Cultural Council to launch the First Peoples’ Heritage,

Language and Culture Project. This contribution will support the delivery of services and programs to revitalize First Nations language, arts and culture in British Columbia.

The funding contribution will build capacity and increase awareness by providing 15 Mentor Apprentice programs to develop new fluent speakers in over 10 languages; training, technical, and linguistic support to allow educators to develop language lessons; salaries for coordinators to maintain community collaboration and development of curriculum; seven programs to build strategies and long-term goals in language and cultural revitalization within First Nation communities; eight Aboriginal Art Administers and Cultural Manager Internships and Mentorships; and 20 projects that support the transmission of traditional arts and related knowledge.

“NRT has been proud to be a funding partner of First Peoples’ Cultural Council to promote the restoration of BC First Nations languages, which is an important step to rebuild strong First Nations,” said Cliff Fregin, Trust CEO.

First Nations culture in B.C. is in a critical state, as many languages are endangered or nearly extinct. According to the Staus of First Nations Languages, only 5.1 per cent of the B.C. First Nations population is fluent in their language. Semi-fluent speakers make up only 8.2 per cent (8,948) of the population. First Nations language learners make up only 11.1 per cent (12,223) of the total population.

“The funding from NRT has been essential to the success of arts and language revitalization in B.C. communities. We are grateful for the support of the NRT board and their investment in the future of our BC First Nations art forms and languages,” said Tracey Herbert, executive director of FPCC.

Since 2008, First Peoples’ Cultural Council has administered language and art projects in B.C. First Nation communities. With NRT’s contribution, FPCC can continue to provide grants to projects that create new fluent speakers, support immersion and language documentation, and develop resources and training.

 a name that is viewed as racially insensitive. Balfour Collegiate is seeking recommendations from students, staff and the community for submissions online and will retire the “Redmen” nickname, which has been in use for decades. The logo of a headdress was phased out in the mid-90s. A new name is expected in the New Year and will be chosen by a committee which includes Balfour alumni.

and the Prince George Native Friendship Centre will host Gathering Our Voices Aboriginal Youth Conference from March 17 to March 20, 2015.

The 13th Annual Aboriginal Youth Conference will be held in Prince George on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh at the Prince George Civic Centre and other venues around the city.

Aboriginal youth ages 14 to 24 are invited to take part in the conference. It will focus on many issues including health, language, culture, the environment, employment, education, sports and recreation.

Many workshops, cultural activities, an interactive career and education fair, a social enterprise “Dragon’s Den,” evening entertainment and afternoon sport and recreation activities will also be offered.