Active learning ideas
This topic investigates the critical importance of language to cultural survival and the massive community-led efforts to revitalize Indigenous languages across Canada. Students will learn about the impact of residential schools on language loss and the innovative ways that youth and Elders are working together to bring languages back, from immersion schools to language apps.
Activity 01
Small groups research a specific revitalization project (e.g., the Mentor-Apprentice program, Michif language apps, or Inuktitut immersion). They identify the 'secret to its success' and present it to the class as a model for others.
Why is language revitalization crucial for Indigenous cultural survival?
Activity 02
Students are introduced to a few basic words in a local Indigenous language (with permission and proper resources). They must try to complete a simple task (like sorting objects) using only those words, experiencing the immersion method used with young children.
What strategies are communities using to teach and preserve their languages?
Activity 03
Students reflect on a word in their own language that doesn't translate well into English. They discuss with a partner what is 'lost' when a language disappears, then share how this applies to the loss of Indigenous languages.
How are youth contributing to the resurgence of Indigenous languages?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Indigenous languages are 'dying out' naturally.
The decline of Indigenous languages was a result of deliberate government policies, not a natural process. Using the term 'language sleep' or 'reclamation' instead of 'dying' helps students understand the agency involved in bringing them back.
You can just translate Indigenous concepts directly into English.
Many Indigenous languages are verb-based and reflect a worldview of action and relationship that is very different from noun-based English. Exploring specific untranslatable words helps students see this depth.
Methods used in this brief
Indigenous Arts and Media
Celebrate the diverse expressions of Indigenous arts, literature, and media. Analyze how contemporary Indigenous artists use their work to challenge stereotypes and assert cultural identity.
8 methodologies
Contemporary Indigenous Leadership and Innovation
Highlight the contributions of contemporary Indigenous leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators across various fields. Recognize the role of Indigenous youth in shaping the future of their communities and Canada.
8 methodologies