Language – Pamela Labonte

Language

Director Report

TĀŁTĀN DICTIONARY PROJECT UPDATE

The Language team is still currently undergoing Phase Three of the Tāłtān Dictionary Project as work continues behind the scenes. The group diligently continues to process documented language that was collected during Phases One and Two in winter and spring of last year. We have ongoing support from The Language Conservancy (TLC) during this critical stage as we navigate the systematic review process. This phase may seem tedious, but it is integral to ensuring all language entries are vetted for accuracy and quality. Rest assured; work is progressing on target. We are planning for another round of documentation for Phase Four once the group has completed this stage.

Pamela Labonte

Language Director This time of year is busy for everyone at the Tahltan Central Government (TCG). For some, the word busy may evoke feelings of frenetic energy (and maybe some new wrinkles), but for us in Language, busy means productive and inspired.

I like to think of fall as our New Year. Like most people’s January resolutions and fresh starts, fall for us in Language brings that same gentle ending and spirited beginnings full of intention with renewed energy after the beautiful months of summer. Check out what we have been busy doing.

TĀŁTĀN DICTIONARY PROJECT

RAPID WORD COLLECTION WORKSHOP

Łuwechō Iskut Tatl’ah Dease Lake Tlēgō’īn Telegraph Creek

Above: The group during data processing software training in Terrace. Missing from the photo is Tanya Louie.

TĀŁTĀN ZOOM LESSONS

The Tāłtān Zoom language lessons recommenced after a brief summer hiatus. Hayle Gallup continued to facilitate each lesson along with a group of Elders who shared essential language teachings with the group. Each lesson was full of connection and learning. These lessons are so much more than just learning the language of the lesson. They are a way for Tahltans near and far to connect with each other through the language. Mēduh to those who join us each time.

If you missed any of the lessons and want to get caught up – or simply want to review each one again – Visit: http://ow.ly/iQ9b50I7hp2. All lessons are available in the Members Only Section of the TCG website.

If you are a Tahltan member and require assistance obtaining your Members Only Section password, please contact 250-771-3274 | 1-855-TAHLTAN (8245826) | receptionist@Tahltan.org.

TĀŁTĀN PLACENAMES AND LANDMARKS

Documentation comes in all forms when it comes to language work – and for this unique documentation initiative, we worked in conjunction with the Culture & Heritage Department.

Plans to document Tāłtān placenames and landmarks in the territory have been in the works for quite some time. After much planning and through the on-the-ground support of the Tahltan and Iskut Bands, we were able to make it a reality, albeit through a staggered approach. So far, we have been able to engage with Tahltan Nation community members, language keepers, and knowledge holders in two of the three communities in the territory to continue work on Tāłtān placenames and landmarks. We started in Telegraph Creek and Dease Lake but, unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances that come with seasonal illness, Iskut dates have had to be postponed several times. At time of submission, we have tentative dates booked for the end of November to work with everyone in Iskut and look forward to sharing the good work from those engagement sessions when we can. The time spent on this project so far has been rewarding and heartwarming as we build on the foundational work already completed while expanding on the knowledge base by working with those who know the territory best.

Right: Tāłtān placenames and landmarks working sessions in Telegraph Creek and Dease Lake.

TCG MENTOR APPRENTICE PROGRAM (MAP)

We have launched! The TCG Mentor Apprenticeship Program (MAP) officially launched this November with an onboarding orientation day for all participants (mentors and apprentices).

This program intends to create an intentional and meaningful space for developing Tāłtān speakers. The program’s primary outcome is to develop fluent speakers by providing a unique opportunity for language learners to develop advanced proficiencies through time spent with speakers. It also allows for mentors to pass language and traditional cultural teachings through the generations. The MAP application for apprentices was available online from June through mid-September, and successful applicants were contacted shortly thereafter while we prepared for everyone’s onboarding in November.

The MAP orientation was held in Dease Lake (Tatl’ah) on November 4th and was a full day of connection and getting everyone comfortable in the program in a good way. All participants received MAP starter kits with program essentials as they learned more about the program details and structure and set intentions and goals. The day began with a sharing circle, allowing participants to share why they wanted to be in the program as we started as a collective. We shared a few laughs (and maybe a few healing tears) before ending the day with a wonderful meal. All in all, it was a positive and productive way to start this next journey together. If you are interested in learning more about the TCG MAP, contact Pamela Labonte, Language Director at languagedirector@ Tahltan.org.

Tatl’ah Language

Programming Coordinator Updates

Dhakāle Hayle Gallup

Tatl’ah Language Programming Coordinator

The fall months have been full – but full in a positive way. Full of reconnecting, planning, and learning. Our Zoom lessons are back and will be offered monthly. Additionally, the Language Working Group is back from the summer break and ready to tackle language projects and initiatives.

The arrival of September also brought a new school year and new staff to Tatl’ah. Our team continues to support the school with language programming during on-the-land fieldtrips. This year, we have supported the school on two fieldtrips: the cranberry harvest as well as the blueberry harvest. Last year, I had trouble keeping up with the requests to visit classrooms for language teaching because our program was so popular. So, this year I have help with the addition of Sonia Dennis as a language teacher to help support the community language programming. She spent the beginning of fall prepping our language centre classroom and has now officially begun to welcome students in for learning.

The language centre was given a Tāłtān name Dahdẕāge Hōdeside Kime from the Elders in the Language Working Group. The name translates to “we are speaking our language house” in English. We are planning to expand the classroom’s outreach to adults/parents in the community next as well as offer other community language initiatives over time – stay tuned! Our centre also serves as a meeting space and office space for our language team. We are so happy to finally have a space to work from and gather with community.

I am excited to announce that we have officially hired a Language Nest Manager, Kathy Cottrell. We have been spending the fall months getting Kathy onboarded with TCG and planning for her first year in the position. The Language Nest Manager will be the individual who is responsible for managing the day-today operations of the language nest. This September, Kathy and I travelled to Vancouver to partake in Language Nest Training which was being offered by the First Peoples Cultural Council (FPCC). We left feeling inspired and ready to tackle the re-opening of the nest together.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was a big day for our team. The working group and I had come up with the phrase Tẕedẕe edōne edanādih (We Respect all the Children). From start to finish, this initiative was a team effort within the TCG family with much support from the Communications & External Relations Department in the roll out, communications, and delivery phases. Telegraph Creek Elder, Kitty Brown, even helped us organize T-shirt bundles for each community in territory. If you are a TCG member and are looking for one of these shirts, please contact us or our Communications & External Relations Department.

Top: Distributing Orange Shirts in Dease Lake.

This fall, I also travelled to Victoria, B.C. to learn more from the WSÁNEĆ people about immersion settings in schools. I spent a week at the ȽÁU, WELṈEW Tribal School observing classrooms and learning from language teachers and administration. Children in this school were reading and writing in their language. Essentially, they were doing school just as we would do in English, but in their language. Students in grades two and three were journaling in their language. Students in grade seven were writing full stories in their language. And students in grades eight and nine were translating recipes into their language as an assignment. From my meetings I learned about lexicon groups and was taught how to conduct them and keep track of lists. Lexicon groups are where speakers get together and brainstorm which words can be used in each school subject. In the group, they create new words or re-purpose old words to be used in all classroom subjects. The resource that inspired me the most was their levelled reading program which uses high frequency words. When I was teaching in an English classroom, we called them sight words and we used reading programs similar theirs to teach children how to read. What is incredible about the human brain is that if you learn literacy and numeracy skills in another language, those skills can easily be transferable to any language. It is my dream to see a school like ȽÁU, WELṈEW in our communities. Hopefully, within my lifetime we can see something like this come to life in our territory. The WSÁNEĆ people have inspired me and have re-lit a fire inside of me for language learning.

Working with our community of Tatl’ah in this capacity has been such a blessing. I look forward to what next season holds for our team.

Dhakāle Hayle Gallup Left: ȽÁU, WELṈEW Tribal School in Victoria, BC.