Creating a Language Community
It is imperative to the survival and revitalization of our indigenous languages to create, support, maintain and inspire a community of language learners. Tsuut'ina Gunaha is dedicated to creating the opportunities for language learning to happen across all ages and stages of learners with our teachers and Elders.
Early LearningCreating the space to immerse and interact with our youngest learners in Tsuut'ina Gunaha has developed over the last few years with partnerships with the Tsuut'ina Daycare and Tsuut'ina Headstart to incorporate and encourage more language use with songs, dances, activities, games and daily communication. Children can learn languages more quickly and with greater success with early introduction to language immersion and have a greater aptitude and "ear" for recognizing unique sounds of the language.
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tsuut'ina nation School
language
programming
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Tsuut'ina Gunaha was introduced and taught in the Tsuut'ina Nation Schools since the 1980s, with our fluent elders being the primary teachers. The pupils of those elders are now carrying on the roles of teaching the language in the schools as apprentices of our Elder Mentors. Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute trains and administers language programming from K4 to Grade 12 including the Adult Education in Bullhead Adult Education Center. The long-standing partnership with Tsuut'ina Education has been a cornerstone for the continuation and dedication to the revitalization of Tsuut'ina language and culture in our children and community.
Community Engagement
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The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute is involved with various programs throughout the Nation. Language learning is about stages not ages and we encourage everyone in the community to take on the task of helping and supporting language revitalization by being a part of it. We offer community language and culture opportunities such as summer Culture Camps, Translation Requests, Evening Classes Department/Program Language Classes, Elder Recording Project, Culture Teachings, Language Events, and supporting with an Elder/Mentor. It is important that we offer for the opportunity for everyone in the community to learn to help establish, support and maintain a community of language learners.
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Mentor-Apprentice program
Mentor-Apprentice is the process of pairing up apprentices of the language with fluent Elder Mentors in order to learn the language through immersion techniques and methodology. It is a learner driven process with the learner providing the context for the language they want to acquire. This method allows for language use to be relevant to the learner and usability within their daily lives. Tsuut'ina Gunaha trains and administers this methodology for Tsuut'ina Gunaha teachers to be the catalyst for learning and in turn teaching and delivering language programming. This methodology also promotes intergenerational relationships and learning with our Elders and Knowledge keepers. The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute Staff practice the Mentor-Apprentice program. All the Gunaha Staff have their Mentors they visit during class prep time, after school, after work, and on their free-time. The funding is available for all Gunaha Staff to coordinate with their Mentor to find time available that works for them both. Also, in the Language and Culture Committee Work plan, they have six (6) Youth/Apprentices that will be learning from each Committee Member. The Youth/Apprentices Job Description is the Mentor-Apprentice Program, they are paid five days in the week to learn the Tsuut'ina ninisha and Tsuut'ina language from their Mentor. Whereas the Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute Staff have to find time available during or after work and class schedules.
speaker socials
The Tsuut’ina Gunaha Institute staff meet with the Elders/Fluent Speakers twice a month for our regular Speaker Socials. The Speaker Socials gives the Gunaha Staff a chance to visit, learn, and to speak as much Tsuut'ina language. The Speakers Socials are audio and video recorded to document language use. The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute Staff will be present at each gathering to witness Tsuut'ina being used freely by the fluent speakers. The goal is to create an immersion setting where people can be exposed to the Tsuut'ina language in its most natural form.
Initially, the Speaker Socials started out as small gatherings of Elders/Speakers for the simple task of just visiting one another using the Tsuut'ina language. They would talk about anything from stories of the past, to their current day to day lives all in the Tsuut'ina language. Equally important, today we utilize the Speaker Socials to gather and practice translations for language lessons for their classrooms. Also, we practice the mentor-apprentice program with our mentors. We practice the program with the mentors to get them used to the method of just speaking Tsuut'ina, because some of the Elders/Fluent Speakers forgot some language. And being surrounded by each other in a group setting helps the Speakers/Elders remember language they don't use anymore.
Initially, the Speaker Socials started out as small gatherings of Elders/Speakers for the simple task of just visiting one another using the Tsuut'ina language. They would talk about anything from stories of the past, to their current day to day lives all in the Tsuut'ina language. Equally important, today we utilize the Speaker Socials to gather and practice translations for language lessons for their classrooms. Also, we practice the mentor-apprentice program with our mentors. We practice the program with the mentors to get them used to the method of just speaking Tsuut'ina, because some of the Elders/Fluent Speakers forgot some language. And being surrounded by each other in a group setting helps the Speakers/Elders remember language they don't use anymore.
resource development
The Tsuut’ina Gunaha Institute offers a wide range of Tsuut’ina language, culture, and history resources available free of charge to community members. Some of the resource we offer include: Anthology collection, colouring books, children’s story books, training manuals, dictionaries, sound files, Gunasi DVD, Isuu Nasʔagha Episodes 1-3, Gunaha Songs, Workplace Language Handbook, Tsuut’ina Language App, Tsuut’ina Culture Camp DVD, Motivational Posters, Classroom Material, and so much more!
The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute is currently creating resources that will be made available online. We are currently working on a language database, digitizing of existing non-digital language materials, adaptation of existing learning materials for additional/new technological platforms, i.e., online programs. Also. development of online resources, such as a Website. Indigenous language technology is essential for language revitalization efforts. The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute hopes to carry out and support the technology related to the Tsuut'ina language.
The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute is currently creating resources that will be made available online. We are currently working on a language database, digitizing of existing non-digital language materials, adaptation of existing learning materials for additional/new technological platforms, i.e., online programs. Also. development of online resources, such as a Website. Indigenous language technology is essential for language revitalization efforts. The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute hopes to carry out and support the technology related to the Tsuut'ina language.
language and culture curriculum development
Since 2017, the Tsuut'ina Education Department and Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute created a partnership to support Tsuut'ina Language and Culture Curriculum Development. Our goal is to implement Tsuut'ina Ninisha (Way of Life) throughout Tsuut'ina Nation School Programming.
Today, the Education Culture Curriculum Coordinator is hosting focus groups with Nation School Principles, Gunaha Director, and the Tsuut'ina Education Director. In the past few years, Culture Teachings include teachings per season. For example, Xaazini - Fall Teachings, during the Fall the Culture Teachings are Protocols, Pipe Ceremony, Treaties, Chiefs of Tsuut'ina, Fire Teachings, Nature Survival Walk, Buffalo Teachings, and other relevant culture teachings. The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute and the Curriculum Development/Culture Team also host seasonal Culture Camps for the Tsuut'ina Nation Schools and Community. It's essential for land-based learning for the students, teachers, and staff. Overall, we are continuing in learning our traditional ways, it will take practice and patience to decolonize ways of teaching Tsuut'ina ninisha. Eventually there will be a new Language and Culture Curriculum implemented within the Tsuut'ina Nation Schools.
Today, the Education Culture Curriculum Coordinator is hosting focus groups with Nation School Principles, Gunaha Director, and the Tsuut'ina Education Director. In the past few years, Culture Teachings include teachings per season. For example, Xaazini - Fall Teachings, during the Fall the Culture Teachings are Protocols, Pipe Ceremony, Treaties, Chiefs of Tsuut'ina, Fire Teachings, Nature Survival Walk, Buffalo Teachings, and other relevant culture teachings. The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute and the Curriculum Development/Culture Team also host seasonal Culture Camps for the Tsuut'ina Nation Schools and Community. It's essential for land-based learning for the students, teachers, and staff. Overall, we are continuing in learning our traditional ways, it will take practice and patience to decolonize ways of teaching Tsuut'ina ninisha. Eventually there will be a new Language and Culture Curriculum implemented within the Tsuut'ina Nation Schools.
Tsuut'ina language
and culture committee
The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute and the Language Commissioner partnered and created a Language and Culture Committee. The intent for the Language and Culture Committee will provide regulation, guidance, and priorities on the Tsuut'ina language and culture programming for the Tsuut'ina Nation. The services will be facilitated by the Tsuut'ina Language Commissioner, Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute, and Tsuut'ina Education Department. The committee will also assist in the Tsuut'ina language and culture content validation, approval process and standardization. The committee will operate in a collaborative and respectful manner and engage in consensus-based decision making.
tsuut'ina gunaha
teacher training
Ongoing staff development and classroom management training is essential to operate a meaningful school language program. In 2013, the Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute, in collaboration with Alberta Educations Locally Developed Courses Department developed a 12 year accredited curriculum that captured essential aspects of Tsuut'ina language, history and culture in an easy to follow format. The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute teaching staff is still in the process of familiarizing and implementing the curriculum into the Nation's education system.
Today, the Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute Staff are enrolled in the Certificate in Aboriginal Language Revitalization with the University of Victoria. The CILR Program delivers Linguistic Training in Language Revitalization, Language Learning, Tsuut'ina Language, and Dynamics of Indigenous Language Shift. Equally important, the Teacher Training will ladder into a B.Ed in Indigenous Language Revitalization with the University of Victoria and eventually the University of Calgary. On-going training and learning for language revitalization is essential for language teachers and language activists. The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute Director ensures all Gunaha Staff are trained and informed with new ways of language revitalization efforts.
Today, the Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute Staff are enrolled in the Certificate in Aboriginal Language Revitalization with the University of Victoria. The CILR Program delivers Linguistic Training in Language Revitalization, Language Learning, Tsuut'ina Language, and Dynamics of Indigenous Language Shift. Equally important, the Teacher Training will ladder into a B.Ed in Indigenous Language Revitalization with the University of Victoria and eventually the University of Calgary. On-going training and learning for language revitalization is essential for language teachers and language activists. The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute Director ensures all Gunaha Staff are trained and informed with new ways of language revitalization efforts.
tsuut'ina language commissioner
The Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute works collaboratively with the Tsuut'ina Language Commissioner . The Tsuut'ina Language Commissioner is the documentation piece the Tsuut'ina language. The Language Commissioner records, transcribes, and archives. The Language Commissioner forms the audio and video recordings, and written transcription. The Language Commissioner also assists in the Orthography Development, which includes the design, development, and enhancement of the Tsuut'ina alphabet/writing system.
Documentation is of key importance for the Tsuut'ina language, Bruce Starlight the Language Commissioner studied linguistics and is familiar with the linguistic principles of the Tsuut'ina language. Subsequently, endangered languages lose speakers, they also lose knowledge that their traditional culture has accumulated. Documentation can help preserve stories, songs, history, prayers, ceremonies, and traditional practices, as well as the unique and wonderful words, sounds, meanings, sentence structures, and discourse patterns. Written and audiovisual documentation is the primary resource from which teachers and language learners use. Therefore, the most thorough possible documentation of the last fluent speakers will be a critical resource for future language learners.
Documentation is of key importance for the Tsuut'ina language, Bruce Starlight the Language Commissioner studied linguistics and is familiar with the linguistic principles of the Tsuut'ina language. Subsequently, endangered languages lose speakers, they also lose knowledge that their traditional culture has accumulated. Documentation can help preserve stories, songs, history, prayers, ceremonies, and traditional practices, as well as the unique and wonderful words, sounds, meanings, sentence structures, and discourse patterns. Written and audiovisual documentation is the primary resource from which teachers and language learners use. Therefore, the most thorough possible documentation of the last fluent speakers will be a critical resource for future language learners.
"Children alone should not have to shoulder the responsibility for revitalizing the language; they require active support to practice their language skills and to see the value of the language and its relevance in daily life within their own homes"