Truth and Reclamation: Teaching Squamish Language at SFU

“We either bring our languages back or we die.” says Khelsilem, the founder of the Squamish Language Immersion Program at SFU. With Trudeau’s announcement of a National Indigenous Languages Act, and continual interest in meaningful reconciliation, Khelsilem seeks to share the lessons of running a full-time adult immersion program with SFU. After its first year the program celebrates 15 new language speakers, with another 15 on the way as another cohort begins in September 2017.This talk discussed the development and implementation of curriculum, classroom strategies, and results of this groundbreaking program. There was also a dialogue with discussants:Julie Flett, Andrea Reimer and Charlene George. The evening was moderated by Am Johal.