New toolkit: Safeguarding your language through documentation
Ottawa, November 8, 2024 - The Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO) and Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization (SILR) at the University of Alberta recently published Safeguarding Your Language Through Documentation: A Toolkit for Beginners. The toolkit is designed for people without formal training in linguistics, documentation or technology. It is a simple and easy-to-follow guide to equipment options, ethical considerations, how to set up a recording session, content considerations, elicitation strategies and more. The practical steps aim to support language learners, Knowledge Holders, youth, and anyone else on their language documentation journeys.
The toolkit is written by Aiyana Twigg, who is Ktunaxa on her mother’s side, and Blackfoot, registered blood tribe, treaty 7 territory on her father’s side. Aiyana grew up on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Ktunaxa in yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡiʔit (Tobacco Plains). She is currently working towards a Master of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization at the University of Victoria. In 2022, she completed a BA at the University of British Columbia with a double major in First Nations and Endangered Languages and Linguistic Anthropology.
The knowledge shared in this toolkit draws on personal experience. Since 2018 I’ve been working to document and revitalize my own Indigenous language, Ktunaxa, which had only 20 fluent speakers at the time I began this work. I wanted to share things I’ve learned along the way to make it easier for other youth to do the same.
- Aiyana Twigg, Writer
The project is part of CCUNESCO’s efforts to support the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages, which aims to draw global attention to the critical status of Indigenous languages around the world, as well as its commitment to see the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) fully implemented in Canada.
CCUNESCO is pleased to contribute to the important language revitalization work underway by First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples across Canada and hope this toolkit can help bring even more people into the fold of this work. We’re thrilled that Anishinaabe illustrator Bridget George accepted to collaborate with us on this project - her illustrations beautifully express the intergenerational and cultural connections that are strengthened when we connect with our languages.
– Barbara Filion, Project Coordinator
About Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization (SILR) at the University of Alberta
Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization (SILR) is dedicated to promoting and supporting the revitalization of Indigenous languages. SILR aspires to a future where Indigenous languages are not only preserved but are also thriving and commonly spoken in various settings like homes, schools, workplaces, and across the land. SILR’s primary focus is on increasing accessibility to language programming and developing resources that aid in maintaining and enhancing the health and vibrancy of Indigenous languages in communities. This effort is aimed at benefiting both current and future generations. SILR works in collaboration with the University of Alberta and the BHP Foundation.
About the Canadian Commission for UNESCO
The Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO) serves as a bridge between Canadians and the vital work of UNESCO—the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Through its networks and partners, the Commission promotes UNESCO’s values, priorities and programs in Canada and brings the voices of Canadian experts to the international stage. Its activities are guided by the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other UNESCO priorities. CCUNESCO operates under the authority of the Canada Council for the Arts.
For more information, please contact:
Kate Declerck
Public Affairs Advisor
Canadian Commission for UNESCO
kate.declerck@ccunesco.ca