B.C. First Nations Language Authorities
Last updated on March 11, 2024The British Columbia Teachers’ Council can recognize a First Nations Language Authority recommended to it by another body, such as a tribal council or nation. Once established, the language authorities may recommend proficient speakers of their language for a First Nations Language Certificate. This allows the individuals to teach in British Columbia schools while holding valid British Columbia certification. This decision was a response to encourage and assist proficient speakers to work in the schools and pass the language on to new generations.
On this page:
- How to establish a First Nations Language Authority
- Certifying First Nations language teachers
- First Nations Language Authorities in B.C.
How to Establish a First Nations Language Authority
There are now more than 30 language authorities in British Columbia. As there can only be one authority for each language, please review the list of language authorities to determine whether an authority already exists for your language. If there is an established authority, direct speakers of your language to the appropriate language coordinator.
If no language authority exists for your language, one will need to be established.
Steps to Establishing a Language Authority
- Pass a resolution at a tribal council meeting establishing the language authority for your language
- Request that your language authority be recognized by emailing an application letter to the Chairperson of the BC Teachers’ Council at BCTC@gov.bc.ca
This letter must include:
- A copy of the Tribal Council resolution designating the Language Authority (or a request from another body acceptable to the BC Teachers’ Council designating a particular Language Authority)
- Contact information including an official mailing address, email address, and telephone number for the Language Authority
- The name of a coordinator (contact person) with whom the BC Teachers’ Council and the Ministry of Education and Child Care can interact about applications for the First Nations Language Certificate
- Original signatures of persons who will sign the individual recommendation for the First Nations Language Certificate. (Please include clear printed names and ancestral First Nations names, if any). These are the people who will decide whether an applicant is fluent in the language and culture
Download a sample application letter (DOCX)
Once the BC Teachers’ Council has received this information, it may recognize the recommended language authority and add the name of the language authority to the list of accepted languages in the Certification Standards.
Please contact the BC Teachers’ Council for assistance before beginning the process of applying for a language authority.
Certifying First Nations Language Teachers
Once your language authority is recognized by the BC Teachers’ Council, the language authority will play an important role in the certification of First Nations language and culture teachers in British Columbia by testifying to an individual applicant’s fluency in a language or dialect and culture. The language authority may be asked to assist the applicant in putting together an application for certification. It requires the applicant to complete information about their background and experience, and it requires the language authority to complete a form attesting to the person’s proficiency.
First Nations Language Authorities B.C.
| First Nations Language Authority | Language | Language Coordinator |
Address/Tel./Fax/Email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coast Salish Language Authority | Coast Salish |
First Nations Education T: (250) 830-2330 |
|
| Dzahge Nodesidē/Tahltan Language and Culture Council |
Tāłtān Dah | Judy Thompson Tahltan Language and Culture Lead |
Dzahge Nodesidē/Tahltan Language and Culture Council T: (250) 960-5766 |
| Fort Nelson First Nation Language Authority | Dene |
Fort Nelson First Nation |
|
| Gitxsan Language Authority | Gitxsanimx | Sadie Harris |
Gitxsan Language Authority T: (250) 842-6222 |
| Heiltsuk Language Authority | Heiltsuk | Elizabeth Brown |
Bella Bella Community School Society T: (250) 957-2396 |
| Hul’q’umi’num’ Language and Culture Society | Hul’q’umi’num’ Language (Vancouver Island Dialect) | Sally Hart (Penelakut) |
Hul’q’umi’num’ Language and Culture Society |
| Huu-ay-aht Language Authority | Huu-ay-aht | Stella M. Peters |
Huu-ay-aht (Ohiaht) First T: (250) 728-3414 |
| Ktunaxa Language Authority | Ktunaxa | Vickie Thomas, Director of Traditional Knowledge and Language |
Ktunaxa Language Authority T: (250) 417-4001 |
| Kwakwala Ni'Nogad Language Authority |
Kwakwala | Colleen M. Hemphill; Mary Hunt |
Kwakwala Ni'Nogad Language Authority T: (250) 949-9433 |
| Liq'wala/Kwakwala Language Authority |
Liq'wala/Kwakwala |
Debra Martel, District Principal, Indigenous Education Karen Giesbrecht, Secretary, Indigenous Education |
Liq'wala/Kwakwala Language T: (250) 830-2328 |
| Musqueam Language Authority |
Musqueam | Victor Guerin, Language Coordinator |
Musqueam Indian Band T: (604) 263-3261 |
| Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council | Nlaka’pamux | Amy Charlie, Coordinator |
Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council T: (250) 455-2711 |
| Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council for Nuu-chah-nulth Language Authority |
Nuu-chah-nulth | Francis Frank, Coordinator |
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council F: (250) 723-0463 E: francisf@nuuchahnulth.org |
| Nuxalk Nation Council | Nuxalk | Lela Walkus, Coordinator |
Nuxalk Nation Council F: (250) 982-2319 |
| Okanagan Language Association | Okanagan | Jeannette Armstrong, Executive Director |
Okanagan Language Association c/o En'owkin Centre T: (250) 493-718 |
| Old Massett Language Authority | Old Massett Haida | Sharon Matthews, Haida Language & Culture Coordinator |
Old Massett Village Council F: (250) 626-5630 E: haidalan@island.net |
|
Paháyikwup - Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim Commission |
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim |
Dr. Carrie Gillon, Coordinator |
320 Seymour Blvd T: (604) 982-8660 |
| Quw’utsun Syuw’entst Lelum’ Language Authority | Hul’qumi’num’ (Cowichan Dialect) |
Chuck Seymour Coordinator |
Cowichan Tribes T: (250) 715-1022 |
| S'malgyax T'simshian Language Authority |
S'malgyax T'simshian | Bernice Bolton |
Language Coordinator T: (250) 638-8640 |
| Scw'exmx Language Authority |
Scw'exmx dialect of Nle'kepmxcin |
Mandy Na'zinek Jimmie |
Scw'exmx Language Authority Nicola Tribal Association T: (250) 378-4235 |
| Secwépemc Language Authority | Secwépemc | Jessica Arnouse & Kathy Manuel, Language Coordinators |
Secwepemc Cultural Education Society T: 778-471-5789 |
| Saanich Language Authority | Sencoten | Curtis Olsen, Coordinator |
Saanich Language Authority T: (250) 652-2214 x223 |
| Skidegate Haida Language Authority |
Skidegate dialects of Haida language |
Diane Brown |
Skidegate Haida Language Authority T: (250) 559-4436 |
| Snuneymux First Nations Language Authority |
Hul'qumi'num (Snuneymux Dialect) |
Nancy Seward |
Snuneymux First Nation T: (250) 740-2300 |
| Spi7uy Sqweqwluts Language & Culture Society | Secwepemctsin | Cody William |
Northern Shuswap Tribal Council T: (250) 392-7361 |
| Sto:lo Nation Language Authority |
Halq'emeylem | Joe Hall Executive Director |
Sto:lo Nation T: (604) 858-3366 |
| Treaty 8 Tribal Association Dane-zaa Language Authority | Dane-zaa | Shona Nelson |
Treaty 8 Tribal Association T: (250) 785-0612 |
| Ts'msyeen Sm'algyax Language Authority | Ts'msyeen Sm'algyax | Debbie Leighton- Stephens, Chair |
Ts'msyeen Sm'algyax Authority T: (250) 627-1536, ext 222 |
| Tsilhqot'in Language Authority | Tsilhqot'in | J. Randolph Radney, Co-Manager of Adult Education and Language Programs |
Tsilhqot'in National Government F: (250) 398-5798 |
| Ulkatcho Language Authority | Carrier | Lewis Budgell |
Ulkatcho Language Authority |
| Upper St'át'imc Language and Culture Authority |
St'át'imc | Marilyn Napoleon & Linda Redan |
Upper St'át'imc Language and Culture Authority T: (250) 256-7523 |
| Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a Language Authority Committee |
Nisga'a |
Deanna Nyce, Chief Executive Officer |
Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a Language Authority Committee T: (250) 633-2292 |
| Wuikala’ Language Authority | Wuikinuxv | Terry Reid |
Wuikala’ Language Authority F: (250) 949-7105 E: nuwaqawa@gmail.com |
| Yinka Dene Language Institute |
Athabascan |
Marlene Erickson, Director |
Yinka Dene Language Institute T: (250) 562-2131, ext 5460 |