CULTURE AND LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION

Ucwalmícwts Program Preserves St’át’imc Nation’s Cultural Legacy

Language is at the heart of culture, carrying the spirit, traditions, and identity of a people.

For Indigenous communities working to reclaim their heritage, revitalizing language is more than just education – it is what ties individuals to their ancestors, their land, and traditional ways of knowing. However, access to language programs remains a significant challenge for many communities.

The Úcwalmicw All Nations Services Society launched a blended immersion language program for the St’át’imc Nation in British Columbia in 2023. In partnership with the First Peoples Cultural Council, the program uses fluent-speaking Elders to teach young Indigenous adults, helping them reconnect with their traditional language.

A grant from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is filling funding gaps and will sustain the program for two years. The funding will cover essential costs, including teacher salaries, learning resources, mentorship opportunities for young Indigenous interns, and community engagement.

The program’s unique blended immersion approach has proven highly effective. By combining print materials, online resources, video guides, in-person gatherings, and hands-on learning, it creates a dynamic and immersive learning experience that fosters deep pride in reclaiming the Ucwalmícwts language.

Through this initiative, the Úcwalmicw All Nations Services Society is empowering young adults to become speakers, teachers, and protectors of Ucwalmícwts, ensuring that the St’át’imc Nation’s language and the cultural knowledge it carries will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Archdiocese of Vancouver

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