The University of Victoria's first Indigenous Language Revitalization Awards are rolling out over the fall to support students from nine south Island First Nations with the goal of reinvigorating local Indigenous languages.
Throughout September, UVic welcomed the first cohort of Indigenous students to receive financial assistance for entering or continuing specific Indigenous language programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
"These new Indigenous Language Revitalization Awards are incredibly meaningful to First Nations peoples. In W̱SÁNEĆ, we are deeply committed to language revitalization and deliver recurring undergraduate programming that supports our SENĆOŦEN immersion stream of programming at LAU,WELNEW Elementary School and the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Secondary School,” says Kendra Underwood, director of W̱SÁNEĆ College, in a news release.
UVic says by offering the award, they are taking steps towards supporting the linguistic and cultural heritage of local Indigenous communities, and it's part of their commitment to uphold respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities.
“These Indigenous Language Awards strengthen our ability to provide SENĆOŦEN programming at W̱SÁNEĆ College each year without the concern of potential financial barriers occurring for students who are engaged in becoming proficient speakers of our sacred language," noted Underwood.
