www.FirstVoices.com
Online language revitalization resources
developed for Indigenous People
by Indigenous People
Working together to protect our languages for future generations.
British Columbia, Canada
A rich linguistic heritage
Urgency required innovation
• The rich diversity of British Columbia’s
languages required an innovative
approach to help turn the tide of language
loss.
• FPCF recognized that the FirstVoices
concept could provide universal access to
language documentation and teaching
resources.
First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation
• In 2000, the non-profit society FPCF was
incorporated to spearhead the a funding
and development of solid initiatives for
language and culture revitalization in B.C.
• In 2001, the FirstVoices concept was
gifted to the foundation and became its
primary language initiative.
FirstVoices Guiding Principles
• Culturally appropriate
• Community driven
• Child centered
• Cost effective
• Collaborative
• Creative
FirstVoices Resources
• Community Portal
• Alphabet
• Dictionary
• Phrases
• Stories
• Songs
• Games
• Grammar
• Punctuation
• Teacher Resources
The FirstVoices Tool Kit
• At the core - a powerful online database
• The FirstVoices team builds the tools
• Indigenous communities use the tools to
document their own languages using text,
audio, video and pictures
• Content provided to learners via media rich
activities
• Constantly evolving through technical
advances and community input
FirstVoices Services
• Access to archive templates
customized for each language
• Detailed on-site technical training, with
illustrated user manuals
• Collaborative global partnerships
• Long-term support
Communities Benefits
• Community-built language resources
• Culturally appropriate
• Part of the global network of Indigenous
language activists
• Collaborative environment prompts
sharing of resources and expertise
• New developments benefit all users
immediately
Onsite Technical Training
Collecting
Editing
Uploading
Managing
• Text
• Audio
• Pictures
• Video
Community Portal
Alphabet
Dictionary
Phrase Collection
Language Games
Language Games
www.FirstVoicesKids.com
Interactive Audio Dictionaries
Fun Activities for Young Learners
Fun Activities for Young Learners
Fun Activities for Young Learners
Unicode Software Keyboards
ÁL̵E E TIÁ. ĆX̱ENÁṈ C̸E SELÁLEW̱ LE L̵TE.
“Everything is rooted here. All the ways of our ancestors and past elders”.
SENĆOŦEN - Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
Dàdidi nenh kayʼ yàniz̄̀ hą̄ akùtʼē.
"Our heritage has grown roots into the earth since the olden times".
Tagish - Carcross, Yukon Territory, Canada
c̓uʔičḥšiʔaƛquu k̓ʷispiičiƛmaʔaał
“It starts to snow when it is winter”.
̕cišaaʔatḥ - Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
ᑭᑕᐢᑭᓇᐤ ᑳᓀᓱᐏᑌᐦᐃᓇᑿᐣ, ᑮᐢᐱᐣ ᐃᔨᐣᑐ ᐱᑭᐢᑵᐏᐣ ᐘᓂᑎᔭᐦᑭ
“A country without its language is a country without a heart”.
Plains Cree, Maskwacis, Alberta, Canada
Indigenous Language Publishing
Strong Indigenous Leadership
FirstVoices Supporters
Contact
www.FirstVoices.com
First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation
31 Bastion Square, Victoria
British Columbia V8W1J1
Canada
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone 250 361 3456
Fax 250 361 3467
www.firstvoices.com
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