Indigenous languages are returning home
Researchers, educators and students are shaping the future of Indigenous Language Revitalization, building a foundation of cultural knowledge for generations to come.
Indigenous languages are more than words—they are vessels of history, culture and identity. Yet many of these languages face the risk of becoming dormant. At UVic, scholars, students and communities are blending academic research with community-led initiatives to lay a strong foundation for Indigenous language resurgence and protection.
Indigenous Education has been part of UVic’s academic landscape for decades. In the 1970s, a longstanding collaboration between Indigenous Education and Linguistics scholars gave rise to the Native Indian Language Diploma Program. Today, Indigenous Language Revitalization (ILR) programs continue to grow and flourish through continued interdisciplinary efforts.
The current chair of the Department of Indigenous Education is Jean-Paul Restoule, an Anishinaabe professor and recent recipient of the ʔəy̓ nəwəl ʔist | ÍY,NEUELIST | Moving forward together for the good of all | Indigenous Scholar Award for Excellence in Research. He believes that Indigenous pedagogies can benefit all learners, and his research seeks to bring Indigenous perspectives to teaching and learning in diverse settings.
As chair, he works to ensure the longevity of ILR programs UVic is renowned for. He also supports Teacher Education programs to ensure current and future teachers learn to bring Indigenous perspectives to all subjects in K-12 schools.
Co-creating with community
The Department of Indigenous Education continually strengthens its commitment to ILR through the development of language proficiency programs in collaboration with local communities. A long-time partnership with W̱SÁNEĆ has recently resulted in a new UVic Bachelor of Arts in SENĆOŦEN language proficiency program, with the first cohort set to graduate in 2025. Language programs in Hul’q’umi’num’ and Kwak’wala have also expanded, and the department supports Inuktut learners through a partnership with the Pirurvik Centre.
These programs, which continue to be co-created with Indigenous communities, have been shaped by the visionary leadership of ILR experts such as Lorna Wanosts'a7 Williams, Onowa McIvor and the late Trish Rosborough. Their work fostered new generations of fluent speakers and built on the legacies of unsung heroes who fought to keep their languages alive and thriving.
Scholars’ research, teaching and mentorship are now facilitating the future of Indigenous language resurgence. Passionate educators are using their expertise to not only lead major community-led research projects but teach and supervise graduate students in UVic ILR programs. Their leadership extends far beyond the university, as they support students and community partners in reclaiming and sustaining Indigenous languages in everyday life.
McIvor, a professor at UVic, leads the —a national network of Indigenous scholars, community leaders and allies that has emerged as the first nation-wide research project focused on ILR. This Indigenous-led, community-based research network is focused on hope and empowerment, shining a light on the successes that communities are having in their language endeavours.
Importance of Indigenous language documentation
There are few first-language speakers alive today, and they have lived through devastating cultural oppression. In many cases, they chose not to share their languages with their children to keep them from facing similar violence. As a result, many ILR scholars have focused their research efforts on accessing and documenting language, usually by connecting with Elders who grew up speaking or hearing the languages to varying degrees.
One such scholar is Tahohtharátye (Joe Brant), a Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk language) advanced-proficiency speaker and language activist. In 2024, he became the first student to complete a PhD in Indigenous Language Revitalization at UVic under McIvor’s supervision. He developed an original and innovative model for conducting language documentation research in ways that reflect Indigenous protocols and worldviews.
Faculty spotlight
Onowa McIvor
Edōsdi (Judy Thompson)
Belinda Daniels
Growing body of scholarship
Scholars working in faculties like Education and Humanities are exploring how to expand their offerings to the community at large through UVic Continuing Education. This is part of UVic’s pledge to ʔetalnəw̓əl̓ | ÁTOL,NEUEL | Respecting the rights of one another, being in right relationship with all things, and by upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Graduate-level Indigenous Language Revitalization programs are providing dedicated spaces for scholars to connect with and learn from each other as they navigate their studies. Not only is this growing body of scholars producing creative, original and personal research projects, their work is making a difference in communities across Turtle Island.
For example, , a doctoral student supervised by Daniels, received a 2024 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship for her impactful research in Cree language revitalization. As part of her graduate research, Custer co-authored a handbook with Daniels entitled Speaking Cree in the Home, which has become a staple for parents and caregivers teaching Cree to young children.
While research is as diverse as the Indigenous languages studied, the common element is the impact on Indigenous communities: more language learners in First Nations homelands, and a resurgence of Indigenous languages at home.
Alumni spotlight
Tahohtharátye (Joe Brant)
Lisa Crowshoe
Wiigwaas Carmen Craig
