Indigenous Languages Program

The mission of the Indigenous Languages Program (INLP) is the collective and individual empowerment of Indigenous peoples through education. Indigenous knowledge systems, histories, and ways of being and learning are at the forefront of this program. The INLP motto is “Help yourself and help one another.” Indigenous language revitalization plays a vital role in the identity, well-being and wholeness of Indigenous peoples and communities. INLP works with Indigenous speech communities and organizations to facilitate language learning on-site within First Nations communities.

Credentials offered

Program history

Since 1993, the Indigenous Languages Program has offered courses in more than 18 languages across British Columbia and Yukon. The current program is a continuation of the award-winning SFU Kamloops Program, co-founded by Marianne Ignace and Ronald Ignace in 1988. By 2011, more than 400 students had graduated from the SFU Kamloops Program with credentials including language certificates, language diplomas, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of General Studies and Bachelor of Education degrees. Through the Community Academic Outreach program, students completed Major and Minor programs in concentrations such as Anthropology and Sociology, Linguistics, Indigenous Studies, and Archaeology.

Resources and services

Students of INLP have access to resources and services provided by Simon Fraser University:

Financial aid for Indigenous students: SFU offers a variety of financial assistance opportunities to Canadian Indigenous students (including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples).
Indigenous University Preparation Pathway (IUPP): Helping Indigenous learners prepare and transition to undergraduate studies at SFU.
FASS Advising and Resources: Available via Zoom and email advising. Getting advice early on will have a positive impact on your studies.
Career Services: Staff at Career Services are available by email, telephone and video call to answer all of your career-related questions and provide guidance on your academic and career journey.
Office for Indigenous Peoples (OIP): Providing information and access to the various contacts, services and programs available from SFU.
Indigenous Student Centre (ISC): Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student or just getting started on your academic journey, there are options available to support both your passions and academic goals.
First Nations, Métis & Inuit Student Association (FNMISA): Advocating for services and resources necessary for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to succeed.
Indigenous Curriculum Resource Centre (ICRC): The ICRC collects books, articles, websites, and audio-visual materials on Indigenizing curriculum and Indigenous pedagogy.
Indigenous Initiatives Librarian: Many of the SFU Library resources are available online.
ISC Honouring Feast: The ISC Honouring Feast is a special event held bi-annually to honour and celebrate Indigenous students in their degree completion at SFU.
National Indigenous Peoples Month: June is National Indigenous Peoples Month, and June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day. Across the university we honour the history, culture, resilience and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples to SFU and across Canada.
Orange Shirt Day: Orange Shirt Day commemorates the residential 'school' atrocities and honours the healing journeys of the survivors, their families and their communities.
Statements by INLP and LING on the investigation into unmarked graves of children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School: Read the statements here.
May 5th is the annual National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). On this day each year we remember the people who have lost their lives to colonial, gender-based violence, and their families and communities that live daily with the grief of losing loved ones.