Announcing the 2024 nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Language Grants

Photo credits: Ben Grazel

We are excited to share this list of grassroots community projects that received nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Language Grants (NLG) in 2024. A total of seven projects were funded in the region this year!

The NLG supports dedicated language activists from five communities within the biosphere region and is devoted to fostering local leadership and community-driven efforts. Funding is available to members of the hiškʷiiʔatḥ (Hesquiaht First Nation), ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht), ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations), Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet First Nation), and tukʷaaʔatḥ (Toquaht Nation) for projects focused on language revitalization.

We would like to extend our thanks to the Westcoast Community Resources Society, our community partner, for creating the cheques for community members and to the nuučaan̓uł language committee for reviewing each application. The committee is made up of language leaders from each of the five nuučaan̓uł Nations who this grant serves.

2024 nuučaan̓uł Language Grant Projects

ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ Language Gathering – Crystal Frank

Resource sharing of all language programs and initiatives for ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ members and descendants that is inclusive to active language advocates and students that reside in and away from ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ. Presentations will include leadership support, language program presentation, food sovereignty and language presentation, resource sharing, Elder knowledge sharing.

Ahousaht Language Website - Evangaline Prevost

A website for Ahousaht language learners will be created, featuring audio recordings. The site will include an interactive alphabet with pronunciation exercises, and audio recordings of words, phrases, songs, and stories. Evangeline will use open-source code from First Voices. This project will also help Evangeline learn and teach the open-source code to other communities.

Family Research - Betty and Aaron Keitlah

Certain family details and traditions will be recorded and shared with the Keitlah family. Betty and Aaron will organize a work plan to identify some important family practices that might have been lost. These will include but are not limited to prayers, how, when, where, and what one might pray about, chants, family history, songs, and dances.

Language Learning and Transcription with Youth – Iris Frank

A group of young Tla-o-qui-aht will collaborate with a fluent speaker to transcribe songs and chants. This project aims to engage youth passionate about songs and learning on the land, integrating language into their lives and empowering them through this transcription process.

Second Stage Learners Project - Arlene Paul

Arlene, a respected Elder, and fluent speaker, will work with Carlene to create videos with great-quality audio to "catalog" her teachings. The level would be focused on "second stage" learners who are past the beginner stage and committed to their language learning journey.

Little Book Project - Trinity Babichuk

For this project, Trinity will write and illustrate a children's book, drawing on her experience as both a teacher and a learner. Collaborating with an Elder and a linguist will ensure accurate text and spelling. Once completed, the book will be shared at a gathering with the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Language Team and interested youth. It will then be presented to the children at the daycare in Hitacu. A small run of books will be distributed to the daycare, local schools, and the language department for community sharing.

Magic ʔuḥwapi (paddle) – Ivy and Tsimka Martin

This project involves creating an engaging short video in nuučaanuł that showcases the adventures of friends on a paddle together. Through captivating storytelling, this video will provide a fun and effective way to learn and share the nuučaanuł language.