First Nations and Endangered Languages

University of British Columbia

Canada, Vancouver

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University of British Columbia

Canada , Vancouver

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Application Fee

CAD 125

Campuses

Vancouver

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines15-May-2023

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

CAD 44,942 / year

Next Intake 15-May-2023

First Nations and Endangered Languages

About

You can study intense specialization in a single field.

FNEL offers courses in First Nations languages, as well as methodology classes on language documentation, conservation, and revitalization. In partnership and collaboration with First Nations and Indigenous communities and their cultural institutions, staff, scholars, and students in our program conduct research with speakers of endangered languages and help to develop educational materials in British Columbia and beyond.

Campus features

The First Nations House of Learning is located in the First Nations Longhouse, a unique building that reflects the architectural traditions of the Northwest Coast. The Longhouse allows Aboriginal students to study in an environment which reflects Aboriginal traditions and cultures. It houses the Xج±wi7xج±wa Library, the Native Indian Teacher Education Program (NITEP), and the UBC First Nations Student Association.

First Nations House of Learning

Explore the processes and protocols for the documentation, conservation, revitalization, and reclamation of endangered languages, cultures, and Indigenous knowledge systems locally, regionally, and internationally. This interdisciplinary program offers courses in First Nations and Endangered languages at all levels, from introductory to advanced.

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4

FNEL 101 - Introduction to a Salish Language I
Emphasis on accurate pronunciation, conversation, basic grammatical structures and listening and literacy skills, and the study of oral traditions in their cultural context. No prior knowledge of the language is assumed.
FNEL 141 - Introduction to a Wakashan Language I
Emphasis on accurate pronunciation, conversation, basic grammatical structures, listening and literacy skills, and the study of oral traditions in their cultural context. No prior knowledge of the language is assumed. Not offered every year.
FNEL 180 - Introduction to Endangered Language Documentation and Revitalization
Foundational concepts in the critical study of cultural, historical, social, and political factors that impact language loss, retention, and revival. Introducing strategies and practical methodologies for collaborative, interdisciplinary, community-based documentation and revitalization projects for First Nations and Indigenous languages.
FNIS 100 - Indigenous Foundations
The historical, cultural, political, economic and legal issues that inform the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada, examined from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives.

FNEL 201 - Intermediate Salish Language I
Emphasis on increasing fluency in conversational ability, enhancing pronunciation and comprehension skills, expanding vocabulary, extending literacy and grammatical understanding, and further study of oral traditions in their cultural context.
FNEL 281 - Sounds of Endangered Languages: Conservation and Revitalization
Development of skills in the perception and transcription of speech sounds in endangered languages, focusing on the diversity within BC Aboriginal languages. Capacity-building techniques for digital recording, editing, analysis, and archiving; guided by community-based ethical protocols and conservation/revitalization goals.
SOCI 201 - Ethnic Relations
An introduction to the study of the relations between ethnic groups and of the interplay between ethnicity and other social factors.
LING 200 - Linguistic Theory and Analysis I
Introduction to phonetics and phonology; training in the identification and production of speech sounds; principles and methods for describing and writing the sound system of a language; phonological theory with reference to selected languages; the interface between phonology and morphology. Analytical practice and seminar discussion.

FNEL 380 - Technologies for Endangered Language Documentation and Revitalization
Digital tools for endangered language documentation, conservation, and revitalization. Overview of best practices, introduction to community engagement and capacity-building, protocols and ethics, project design, cultural context, orthographies, use of audio, video and still photography, data management, archiving and web publishing.
FNEL 381 - Biocultural Diversity: Language, Community, and Environment
Critical exploration of the links between linguistic, biological and cultural diversity; including connections with linguistic relativity, linguistic identity, language and place; and strategies for collective, interdisciplinary action to promote and support the protection of languages, cultures, and the environment.
ANTH 329 - Contemporary First Nations Issues
Anthropological perspectives on contemporary issues of public policy, law, and political activity, as they affect the place of First Nations people in British Columbia and Canada.
LFS 340 - First Nations Health and the Traditional Role of Plants
This Interprofessional Health and Human Service (IHHS) course covers the First Nations medical systems and medicinal plants. Bridging the traditional with modern sciences.

FNEL 448 - c Directed Research in First Nations Languages
Supervised by a faculty member.
FNEL 480 - Endangered Language Documentation and Revitalization
Critical study of the historical, social, cultural, political, and economic factors impacting on language loss, retention, and revival. Research on and application of methodologies for collaborative, trans-disciplinary, community-based documentation and revitalization of BC's Indigenous linguistic heritage.
FNEL 482 - Applied Research in Endangered Language Reclamation
Application of research skills and methodologies in the design and implementation of a research project relevant to endangered language conservation and/or revitalization. Project co-constructed in collaboration with a First Nations community, guided by community-based ethical protocols. FNEL 481 recommended.
FNEL 483 - Indigenous Languages of BC: Diversity and Vitality
Genetic affiliation, areal contact, typological diversity, and initiatives to sustain the vitality and diversity of BC First Nations Languages.

Disciplines

Faculty of Arts

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Graduation from a university-preparatory program at a senior secondary school: General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihi). Certificates must be official. Photocopies are acceptable if certified by school principal, head, or counsellor. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Career

Your career opportunities will vary widely across a range of fields including Indigenous organizations, education, government, business, media, museums, law, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests, including:

Child and youth worker
Communications manager
Community culture and language worker
Counsellor
Cultural site or museum interpreter
Digital storyteller
Urban and Land Use Planning
Tourism consultant

Careers with First Nations and Endangered Languages

Related programs

- - Name
  - Campus
  - Length
- - Cultural Studies
    - Okanagan
    4 years
  - Education: Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NITEP)
    - Vancouver
    5 years
  - First Nations and Indigenous Studies
    - Vancouver
    4 years
  - Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice
    - Vancouver
    4 years
  - Indigenous Studies
    - Okanagan
    4 years

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

CAD 44,942

Application Fee

CAD 125

How to Apply

As you complete the online application, keep the following tips in mind:

Start early and take your time. Once you begin the application, you will be able to save it and return to it later – but only up until the deadline. Once you have submitted your application to UBC, you will not be able to edit it. Since the online application can sometimes time out if left open for too long, we recommend working on your personal profile questions outside of the application (where you can run them through a spell-checker) then copy and paste them into your application.
Let the online application guide you. You’ll be asked to provide only the information we need based on your degree choice(s), your previous education, and other factors.
Tell us your full academic history. It’s important to include all of the high schools, colleges, and/or universities you have attended. Don’t leave anything out!
Be accurate. UBC has a number of methods in place to authenticate information provided in the application. These methods include, but are not limited to, contacting references, verifying academic records, and requesting additional documentation to verify your personal profile. If an application is found to contain untrue or incomplete information, UBC may, at its discretion: withdraw an offer of admission; require you to withdraw from UBC; subject you to academic discipline; or share the information provided with other post-secondary institutions, law enforcement agencies, or other third parties.
Use an email address you check frequently. Once you have submitted your application, UBC will communicate with you primarily by email.
Note your UBC student number. Write down your UBC student number somewhere safe. You’ll need it in future correspondence with UBC.