FirstVoices Apps

FirstVoices has developed 13 interactive dictionary apps for Apple's iOS and Android. The apps contain text, audio, image and video content and are available as free downloads from the iTunes and Google Play stores.^[3]

The dictionary apps include the following Indigenous languages, which are all spoken in British Columbia: Ehattesaht, Halq'eméylem, Hlg̲aagilda X̲aayda Kil, Ktunaxa, Kwak'wala, Nazko-Dakelh, Nisg̲a'a, Northern St'at'imcets, Secwepemc, SENĆOŦEN, Tla'amin, Ucwalmícwts, Xeni Gwet'in.

FirstVoices Keyboards

FirstVoices Keyboards is an Indigenous language app available for free download on Apple and Android mobile devices. Regular keypads on mobile devices are not capable of generating many of the special characters of Indigenous languages, making texting in these languages impossible for most Indigenous people. FirstVoices Keyboards, an evolution of FirstVoices Chat, allows speakers of over 100 Indigenous languages in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA to use their mobile devices to text, email, use social media, and create documents using keyboards designed for their languages.

Language Tutor

In 2009, FirstVoices launched the FirstVoices Language Tutor, an interactive, online teaching application. The FirstVoices Language Tutor delivers graduated language exercises in vocabulary development, reading comprehension, listening and speaking. Language Tutor lessons are customizable and can be targeted to specific age groups or curriculum. Any word or phrase in an existing FirstVoices language archive can be used in a Language Tutor lesson, or new words and phrases can be added. The Language Tutor also offers a student tracking system that allows teachers to follow the progress of an entire classroom of students.^[4]

Language Lab

The FirstVoices Language Lab is an iPad-based language-teaching app designed to deliver FirstVoices Language Tutor lesson content via a stand-alone portable language laboratory. No Internet access is required for the Language Lab to run.

Language Nests

• Funded by the First Nations Health Authority – Interior Region, the Language Nests provide language immersion for young children and their families through day-care and after-school care.^[5]

Language Revitalization Planning

• The Language Revitalization Planning Program brings together communities that share a language to design and deliver a language revitalization plan.^[6]

Mentor-Apprentice Program

• The Mentor-Apprentice Program pairs a fluent Elder with a committed learner for one year so that the learner can become fluent and pass the language on to others.^[7]

The Aboriginal Languages Initiative (ALI)

• A federally funded program through the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Aboriginal Language Initiative provides funding for community projects to maintain, revitalize and promote First Nations languages.^[8]

The B.C. Languages Initiative (BCLI)

• The British Columbia Language Initiative^[9] is a provincially funded program through the First Citizens' Fund.^[10] It supports language projects that seek to revitalize First Nations' languages in British Columbia.^[11]

First Peoples' Language Map of British Columbia

• The First Peoples' Language Map of British Columbia is an interactive representation of B.C. that roughly divides the province based on First Nations language boundaries.
• From the map, visitors can access a list of the First Nations in B.C. and information about them including what language they speak and where they are located. Visitors can also scroll through the languages section, which houses detailed information about the First Nations languages of B.C.
• All the information on the First Peoples' Language Map of British Columbia is provided by First Nations communities. These communities can upload new information and expand their First Nations and language section as they see fit.^[12]

Silent Speaker Program

• The First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPCC) Silent Speaker Course is for people who understand but do not speak their First Nations language. The course is based on a successful program that was developed in Norway and Sweden for and by Indigenous Sami people. The model uses Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to support silent speakers to overcome blockages about using their Indigenous language in their communities.

Language and Culture Camps

• Initiated in 2008, the Language and Culture Camps Program creates an opportunity for First Nations' families, Elders, youth and children to be immersed in their languages and cultures. This program is currently on hold due to funding constraints.^[13]

Endangered Language Project

• Launched in June 2012, the Endangered Languages Project (ELP) is a worldwide collaboration between Indigenous language organizations, linguists, institutions of higher education, and key industry partners to strengthen endangered languages. First Peoples' Cultural Council is one of the four founding organization of the project.^[14]

Indigenous Arts Program (IAP)

In partnership with BC Arts Council and the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, the arts program provides grants to Indigenous artists, organizations and collectives, through a peer assessment review.^[16]

Applicants may apply for funding in the following areas: Emerging Individual Artists, Sharing Traditional Arts Across generations, Organizations and Collectives, Arts Administrator Internships and Mentorships.

Indigenous Music Initiative (IMI)

In partnership with Creative BC, the Indigenous Music Initiative is designed to support artists, projects and events that grow and develop British Columbia's Creative Industries. Successful ventures will increase participation of Indigenous music industry professionals and strengthen the capacity of B.C.'s Indigenous music industry through knowledge transfer, skill development, and the creation of new business opportunities in B.C. and elsewhere.

Applicants can apply for funding through the following programs: Emerging Music Industry Professional, Expanding Capacity in the Indigenous Music Recording Industry, Touring, Promotions/Marketing and Performance Initiatives, and the Indigenous Music Retreat.^[17]

Online Arts Toolkit

The online arts toolkit provides Indigenous artists with access to information and materials that can assist them in their careers, such as a grant writing handbook and an arts portfolio handbook.^[18]