Funding stalls drive for online Indigenous language platform

Marilyn Shirt, dean of Indigenous language at Blue Quills First Nations College, has joined forces with Dr. Allison Eamer, a University of Ontario Institute of Technology professor, in a shared vision to preserve First Nations’ languages. When the two met at a languages conference in Hamilton four years ago, they discovered they had a common interest in exploring ways to use technology and distance learning to increase opportunities for learning languages.

So great was her interest in Eamer’s work, Shirt invited her to present at a conference in Edmonton the following year at which Eamer shared her knowledge of different language revitalization programs around the world. Since then, the two have developed a project proposal and are seeking financial support to create an interactive online platform to teach Cree, Dené, Blackfoot and Mohawk languages. Their goal is to develop a software platform curriculum with digitized instructions materials.

An online learning platform would enable people to learn on their own time and also provide an opportunity for the public to access language learning.

“If someone living in Vancouver wants to learn to speak Cree they could access the online program,” Shirt said. Platforms can broaden the application for those wanting to learn to speak, especially with youth who are more technologically inclined.

Shirt believes the platform can be developed and adapted to teach a variety of languages. “There are a variety of ways to create programming online,” she said. These include Facebook or web pages to bring technology to language. The platforms are interactive, with the ability to hear people speaking through Skype.

Blue Quills College offers language courses in the classroom but cannot keep up with the demand.

Shirt envisions teaching fluent speakers in a Blue Quills classroom how to deliver online programs, adaptable to any language group. She also envisions the creation of a certificate for online language instructors.

For these language preservationists, the biggest stumbling block has been funding. “We haven’t got the funding yet to get it off the ground,” said Shirt.

Their application to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council was unsuccessful. Then they submitted their proposal to the Post-Secondary Partnerships Program, which replaced the Indian Studies Support Program this past April. With its broader mandate of supporting non-Indigenous colleges, the PSSP was unable to provide funding. To kick start the project they are looking for $180,000 and will continue to seek funding.

For those who want to learn to teach language online, all that is required is fluency in the language and some familiarity with computers, says Shirt. The ultimate goal is to create a bigger base of people who can teach at the college level.

“We are living in a sea of English,” she said. “People are speaking less Cree. We need to be more proactive.”

If fluent speakers take the course and get the skills to teach online, language learning will spread. The overall goal, she says, is to create language activists.

“We need to go out there and promote, to create desire in the communities,” said Shirt.