Decolonizing Language Revitalization

September 25, 2013 - How has Eurocentric anthropology and linguistics affected the way we interpret our elders and ancestors who share their cultural knowledge with foreign researchers?

Join us for a presentation with Khelsilem Rivers and April Charlo, indigenous peoples from community-based and cultural revitalization backgrounds, who will be discussing decolonization of language revitalization. Their presentation and open dialogue will address the context of rapid language loss and decline, and how colonization has affected or is embedded in the strategies of revitalization.

In an effort to revitalize Indigenous languages, communities may have unknowingly adopted or assimilated colonized ways of thinking as they invest interest and attempt to repair or restore ties to culture and language. Are we learning to speak Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Nēhiyawēwin, Kanien'kéha, et all with an English-mind or are we learning to speak Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Nēhiyawēwin, Kanien'kéha with a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Nēhiyaw, Kanien'keháka mind?

Indigenous languages represent one of the darkest ways in which ethnocide and cultural genocide have occurred. It is expected in the next twenty-five years over 700 of the worlds Indigenous languages will be forgotten. In the Vancouver area alone, the two Indigenous languages are considered critical endangered; Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) language has five to seven fluent speakers and hən̓q̓əmin̓əm has one fluent speaker left.

Decolonizing Language Revitalization aims to put forward perspectives of shifting values, cultural understandings, and impacts on community. It is the stories we tell ourselves (as a people) that impacts who we believe we are, and then who we become. But if the stories -- even including, or especially the Indigenous ones -- are filtered through colonialism, we have become a different people because of it.

April Charlo from Bitterroot Salish people and is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana.

Khelsilem Rivers is a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw language revitalization activist from Vancouver.

Supported by SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement

[kimberlycabanas]

That was really interesting. I'm glad I listened.

[heathenwizard]

Wonderful and informative talk! Thank you for sharing, and strength to you in all of your efforts!

[aprilm.wemigwans-mezimegwa]

I love her thinking concept but she's explained it like ten times

[marconatrix]

Different levels of 'possession' are not unique to indian languages.
Mo làmh, m'athair (my hand, my father) = inseparable;
Is leam an car sin (I own that car, it is to me, belongs to me) = ownership;
An cupa agam ('my' cup, the cup that is with/at me) = temporary possession.

[kallol]

5% Indian population can express their thoughts in English. Yet one can’t earn a dignified living without English. This means 95% of Indians are denied access to all kind of higher education, recruitment in Army Commission Rank, Public Service Commission, Railway, Civil Service Selection interviews, access to Supreme Court, dealing with many regional Government offices like West Bengal, Assam, and South Indian states. This means India's administration is being run in the interest of 5% Anglophonic Indians, as it was before 1947. Thanks to the remarkable foresight of Lord Macaulay whose design of Anglophonic Schooling in India to breed “Educated Indians” delinked from India and Indians and psychologically enslaved and subservient to Anglo-American West. This explains why Indian youth takes distinct pride in claiming that they can't speak their mother tongue- be it Hindi / Tamil / Telegu / Bangla. This Anglophonic education has spawned a ruling class that follows a bastardized Anglophonic culture- whom Anglo-American west considers “Appendage of the West” and in their intimate circle brand them as “Contemptible clowns”. It is to be noted that “English Medium School” is mushrooming deep inside rural India. In these school campuses- kids are penalized if found to speak in their mother tongue. Consequently they learn neither English nor their own mother tongue instead remain semi-illiterate dreaming to make a living in their supposed dreamland Anglo-American West. These overzealous Hindi bashing crowd is ostensibly devoted to their regional language. A pertinent question arises- have any of these Hindi bashers ever at any time raised any demand or circulated any proposal on the prospect of introducing higher and technical education in indigenous (regional) language? Have they ever proposed that indigenous (regional) language be linked to the means of dignified livelihood? Have they ever proposed that applicants graduating from indigenous (regional) educational institutions should have reserved quota in regional Government jobs? Have they ever proposed that private sector employers who employ graduates of vernacular medium should be entitled to special tax deduction? Have they ever taken a stand on the issue of vernacular medium schools shutting down to make room for English Medium Schools? Make no mistake- Hindi bashing and epidemic of Anglophonic Culture and education is a diabolical design. Why ? This design is a very effective means to enslave 1.3 billion high quality human resource and thereby eliminate potential competition in the international market. This is exactly what Anglo-American west wanted Russia and China to become but failed. This is exactly what they want India to be, a domesticated, subservient poodle who will only serve not compete with the west. That design has kept India a "Developing Country" even 75 years after independence and still generating high dividend for Anglo-American West. After all more copies of "Harry Potter" are sold in India than in UK. An estimated one trillion US.$ worth of rupees is laundered into Anglo/American Banks every year. Remember, One can't pretend to be anything else but what they actually are. Indians can’t be exception.

[twodogsfeeding]

"...Your unseeded, stolen, occupied Territory..." Taken, Stolen, Occupied by Your Tribe from What Tribe?! Ha!

[phoenixkool]

Its not like you guys are going to get back your lands... this is the point of conquering and colonizing.. its how empires are formed. So as much as you wanna complain about theft and whatnot, this is how history marches, with the strongest surviving and taking what they want. Welcome to life...