The First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation (FPCF) will receive $125,000 over three years from the Mining Association of B.C. (MABC) to assist with the documentation and renewal of endangered First Nations languages in the province.
“Language is a cornerstone of culture and identity. By investing in language and culture, we invest in stronger and prouder communities,” Pierre Gratton, president and CEO of the MABC, said in a statement. “It is also an investment in education, in youth, and thus in the future success of B.C.’s First Nations.
“Support for FPCF is also an opportunity to help restore to B.C. First Nations that which was taken through the tragic experience of residential schools, which contributed significantly to the reduction of First Nation language speakers,” Gratton added.
The First People’s Cultural Foundation can now leverage MABC’s funding contribution to secure other funding from government partners. “Language is the heart of our culture,” FPCF board chair Pauline Terbasket affirmed. “It is how our elders can teach our young people about the land and our traditional ways.”
Endangered languages are a subject of concern around the world, and they face extinction in B.C. The donation will be used to support language archiving around the province, and outreach to First Nations to support language renewal.
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