Support for B.C. First Nations language programs

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March 31, 2011

VICTORIA - The B.C. government is providing $500,000 to the First
Nations Education Steering Committee Society (FNESC) to support First
Nations language teacher education programs, Advanced Education Minister
Naomi Yamamoto announced today.

The funding will help B.C.'s First Nations further develop and implement
teacher education programs leading to a Developmental Standard Term
Certificate (DSTC) issued by the BC College of Teachers. Aboriginal
persons holding a DSTC in Language and Culture are certified to teach
First Nations languages to K to 12 students.

To qualify for a DSTC certificate, students must complete a three-year
program that includes: BC College of Teachers academic requirements,
course work in First Nations Language and First Nations Studies, as well
as a teacher education component delivered by an approved teacher
education program at a B.C. university.

Today's funding announcement coincides with National Aboriginal
Languages Day, which was established by the Assembly of First Nations in
1989 to create awareness across Canada of the languages of the First
Peoples, and to build support for their preservation.

Quotes:
Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of Advanced Education:
"Funding for programs leading to the Developmental Standard Term
Certificate will help ensure more instructors are able to teach First
Nations languages to the next generation of British Columbians."

Tyrone McNeil, president of the First Nations Education Steering
Committee (FNESC):
"First Nations language teachers are at the heart of our efforts to
support language revitalization for students, parents and communities.
We are very pleased with the support that the Ministry of Advanced
Education will provide for First Nations language teacher education in
British Columbia."

Mary Polak, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation:
"The cultures and languages of B.C.'s First Nations are intrinsically
linked to the health and well-being of Aboriginal people and communities
throughout our province. This funding is an important step in the work
we all have to do to keep these diverse languages and cultures alive."

Quick Facts:
* An estimated two-thirds of all indigenous languages in Canada are
found in B.C. , the most linguistically diverse region in the country.
* There are as many as 32 distinct First Nations languages in B.C.
* Fluent speakers make up 5.1 per cent of the First Nations population,
and most are elders.
* First Nations language learners in B.C. make up 11.1 per cent of the
total Aboriginal population.

Learn More:
About the First Nations Education Steering Committee:
http://www.fnesc.ca/