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It's been so long

Written by Ken Foster |

It has been a while since I have written anything. I'm in Alert Bay right now working with the Kwak̓wala language authority through a bright, hard working young woman named Mariah. She is creating lessons for a FirstVoices.com project and I am here supporting her work.

Language revitalization is a major current focus for SilverBear Consulting. I am in Alert Bay this week working with Kwak̓wala and then the Nemiah Valley next week to support the Tsilhqot'in (Xeni Gwet'in) project. As well I am working with the W̱SÁNEĆ people in my own area on some projects in SENĆOŦEN. Among other things I have begun a couple of Indigenous language websites for the Alert Bay and W̱SÁNEĆ communities to make their own and use for social networking in their own languages.

This is exciting work which in the long run will support communities in improving education and life-chances for their youth.

Saanich Talk

Written by Ken Foster |

SilverBear Consulting is working in conjunction with the SENĆOŦEN Language Apprentices to create a First Language website for the W̱SÁNEĆ people. We have developed forum areas to support the development of language and cultural competency within the W̱SÁNEĆ communities and these will expand as participation grows.

Most of the website is for members only but there is an expanding public area where people can go to learn about the language and culture of the W̱SÁNEĆ people.

W̱SÁNEĆ communities are located on the South East part of Vancouver Island on the Saanich Peninsula. Traditional territories also included a parts of the Gulf and San Juan Islands that are not within SBC's expertise to describe in more detail. W̱SÁNEĆ is part of the Straits Salish language group.

We envision the time when the entire website will be created in the SENĆOŦEN Language.

Language, Art and Culture

Written by Ken Foster |

I am working with the SENĆOŦEN Language and Culture teachers at ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ School (please pardon the missing diacritics) to create a new Language, Art and Culture class for this fall's new Grade 10s. This will be the new high school's first year with grade 10 and I am honoured to be part of the preparation.

We start with an older version of a language curriculum and will add a technology component where students create presentations in their language. We will also use FirstVoices.com as a tutorial and review resource. As the course develops we hope to have at least some of the students working with fluent speakers to collect more language to add to the current archive. More to come...

Bringing Language to Life

Written by Ken Foster |

This article started at the Bringing Language to Life Conference at the Coast Plaza Hotel in Vancouver, BC (July 5, 6, '09). The Conference was co-sponsored by FPHLCC (First People's Heritage, Language and Culture Council) and FNESC (First Nations Education Steering Committee). I was one of maybe 5 non-aboriginal people attending (out of about 300).

One of the personal highlights was meeting a student who had been in my first grade 4 class in 1970 in Massett, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands, BC) I don't know who had changed more. He was definitely taller than he had been. We were both a bit heavier and my hair colour was totally different. Without name tags I don't think we would have recognized one another.

More will be added as I go back through my thoughts.

4D-i Training

Written by Ken Foster |

May 5, 6, 7 I was at Camosun College with Bob Weile (One Smart World) and Peter Norman (Challenge Education Associates, SMARTwest) learning to use the OneSmartWorld Total Intelligence System both as a participant and as a certified Facilitator. I am learning hugely.

One Smart World provides the 4D-i profile tool and a very usable set of tools for improving performance at personal and organizational levels. It is suitable for use by individuals who wish to know more about themselves and to establish a more productive working style. At this level, I have examined my profile and established an initial learning plan. I am excited to start working through some of the changes I can make and work more productively with clients.

I have now enabled a forum for discussion that is accessible through main menu on the top bar. In order to post to this forum you must be a registered user.


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