The award-winning and accessible Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization is offered by the University of Victoria's Department of Linguistics and the Division of Continuing Studies, in partnership with the En'owkin Centre.

The goal of the certificate program is to develop an understanding of the complex dynamics of language loss, maintenance and recovery, while also providing practical strategies for work in Indigenous communities to preserve and revitalize threatened languages. This program is designed to honour traditional knowledge and practices, to recognize and accommodate the realities and needs of diverse communities, and to provide a foundation for both language revitalization activities and for further study in linguistics, education and/or cultural resource management.

The CILR program has expanded its offerings and now provides students with a second delivery style:

Face to face

• In community – Tailored to and delivered on site in partnership with Indigenous nations, communities and organizations, or with other colleges

• On campus – Occasionally courses are delivered on campus, however the full program is not accessible on campus at this time

Online

• NEW! – Delivered online to individual learners from across Canada looking to gain skills in Indigenous language revitalization

Courses can be taught on-site in a partner community, online or occasionally courses are offered on campus in Victoria. Core coursework combined with flexible elective offerings enables individuals to develop both knowledge and practical strategies for language revitalization activities.

Program participants include individuals working with communities in the revitalization and teaching of Indigenous languages, or with agencies involved in the development and delivery of language and cultural revitalization policies and programs. In partnership, the courses can be offered in flexible delivery options as a full certificate or as individual courses.

Program features

• Networking opportunities:
  • engage with like-minded individuals from a variety of Indigenous language groups and communities
  • become a part of a network of students from across the country who are passionate about language revitalization
• Accessible: two delivery styles to choose from and no prerequisites required
• Customized: course content is customizable to meet the unique and specific priorities of communities and cohorts
• Recognizable: earn a credential from a wellrespected and recognized university
• Flexible: laddering opportunities and transfer credits for further academic study
• Specialist instructors: learn from highly qualified instructors including academics, as well as language activists, fluent Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers