In most Residential Schools, the primary language was French or English, and  Indigenous languages were suppressed, sometimes violently . Losing indigenous languages also lost community connections, lost culture and lost history. We can make a difference today. Teaching indigenous languages can help build communities, share culture and history and build understanding across communities.  

Now is the time  

Reconciliation with First Nations in Canada is an important topic for many Canadians. One of the essential parts of this reconciliation is reversing some of the cultural damage done in the past. But we must move quickly...  

Lost forever?  

Unfortunately, due to historical and colonial policies like Residential Schools and the Sixties Scoop that focused on the destruction of Indigenous culture in school aged children for generations, and the natural ageing of the Elders who are the keepers of the oral history, the languages and cultural histories of First Nations' peoples are being lost forever.  

Not necessarily  

To help capture this cultural knowledge before the Elders pass on, First Nations Education Foundation (FNEF) collaborates with First Nation's communities to preserve and revitalize at-risk indigenous languages ,  using contemporary educational practices and cutting-edge technology. In its most simplistic form, FNEF is offering what many of us would think of as translation. However, FNEF is unique in its approach as it goes beyond the word. FNEF is working daily to facilitate knowledge transfer while preserving language and culture for generations to come.  

Only so many Elders are left in Indigenous communities who hold the traditional culture and language. ​ Hence,  one of the most significant issues facing FNEF is time  as Elders are an ageing demographic and they are passing away, and with them, the language and culture are disappearing. A big motivation for these Elders for participating in FNEF projects is to say through the preservation of their culture ,   "We are still here."  They are very willing but need help.  

FNEF provides the 204 First Nations communities across British Columbia and the North a way to preserve their unique language and cultures in an authentic and culturally appropriate manner. One based on a community world view , versus a Eurocentric world view.  

FNEF has the team, the knowledge, and the ability to provide these communities, their descendants, and all Canadians access to an essential part of our foundational history. This is proven in their work with the Haisla community. We are currently working with communities, and we need the funds to complete digitizing the languages we have and start to bring the languages back into the schools and into the communities.  

There is much more we need to do  

FNEF has limited financial resources and can only help a small fraction of the communities that urgently need our assistance. We need the support of more people who understand the importance of this work to help more communities. With your donation, you can help advance the mission of FNEF and make an immediate difference in over 200 Indigenous communities across British Columbia. Your support will be instrumental in preserving traditional cultures and languages that were potentially almost lost forever.  

How you can help  

There are many ways you can help. Click on one of the photos from the column at the side , and donating is one way. Another way is to share our campaign with your friends , and those in your network who you think might be interested in making a difference.  

What you can expect  

We'll not only use your funding to make a massive difference in the preservation of First Nations culture , but we'll keep you updated on the progress we are making and the impact you've created.  

Need more information  

Visit our website at  FNEF.CA