BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute

Niwhkinic Language Fluency Diploma Progam


Department: Indigenous Language Fluency
Program Delivery Location: Merritt & Community
Credential: Diploma
Format: Full-Time

Niwhkinic Language Fluency Diploma Progam

Purpose


The TRC report calls to action for post-secondary institutions to create university and college degree programs in Aboriginal languages. In reaction to this NVIT, as a member of the Indigenous Language Fluency Consortium, designed this curriculum to meet the community demands to retain language fluency in community members.


The Indigenous Language Fluency Degree framework is designed to meet Indigenous community language standards as well as academic standards to ensure that NVIT graduates are successful and effective fluent language speakers in their respective communities.


The program is unique in that it emphasizes the language fluency, knowledge and skills relevant to all the worldview of Indigenous communities.  Developing Indigenous Language Fluency is at a critical stage with a high need for qualified fluent speakers particularly in the Indigenous communities across the country.


Program Delivery Location


Lake Babine Nation and Community Locations within the Nadut’en language speaking communities 


Programs


Nadut’en Language Fluency Certificate


Nadut’en Language Fluency Diploma


The Nadut’en Language Fluency Certificate & Diploma programs are foundational and innovative programs with a focus on Nadut’en content in the language fluency curriculum. Admission is open to all learners within the respective Nadut’en communities, particularly those wishing to enhance their knowledge, understanding and conversational ability of Indigenous languages. The program is designed to be delivered year-long through the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.


Career Opportunities:


Graduates of Indigenous Language Fluency programs will be prepared for employment in many different career areas:












  • First Nation organizations

  • Band and Public Schools




  • Other First Nations’ Organizations

  • Family and group facilities




  • Other Organizations (i.e.-tourism)



 


The Nadut’en Language Fluency Certificate & Diploma is approved by the local language authorities in their respective communities. Successful completion of the program will allow graduates to work with community members and First Nations Organizations.


Admission Requirements for Certificate



  • Grade 12 or equivalent or mature student status

  • English 12 or English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 060 or equivalent;

  • A letter of intent detailing reasons why one is interested in program.


NVIT is committed to ensuring education is accessible to all people. Students who do not meet program requirements should contact the Department Coordinator or an NVIT Academic Planner regarding upgrading opportunities.


Course and Program Transferability


The Nadut’en Language Fluency Certificate & Diploma are articulated through the BCCAT (BC Council on Admissions and Transfer).


For more information visit: www.bctransferguide.ca

Diploma Completion Plan
The Niwhkinic Language Fluency Diploma is awarded to recognize the successful completion of the Niwhkinic Language Fluency Diploma Program. In addition to the successful completion of the Niwhkinic Language Fluency Certificate, students are required to take 33 credit, as prescribed below with a total of 66 credits. An overall minimum GPA of 2.33 is required.
  • INLG-165 - Ways of Knowing: Niwhkinic Social Foundations
  • INLG-265 - Ways of Knowing: The Niwhkinic Land and Culture
  • NIWH-210 - Niwhkinic Language Linguistics/Literacy
  • NIWH-211 - Niwhkinic Language Translation / Transliteration
  • NIWH-220 - Niwhkinic Language Vocabulary in Place And Socio-Spatial Context II
  • NIWH-221 - Niwhkinic Language Structure and Syntax
  • NIWH-230 - Niwhkinic Connections: Context Through Immersion Learning
  • NIWH-231 - Niwhkinic Language Place and Time: Context Through Immersion Learning
  • NIWH-330 - Niwhkinic Language Immersion: Pod/Cohort Learning Through Multiple Mentors
  • NIWH-350 - Niwhkinic Language Immersion: Introduction to Mentored Special Topics
  • Course Listing for this program

    INLG-165 - Credits: 3.000
    Ways of Knowing: Niwhkinic Social Foundations
    This course is an introduction to Niwhkinic Social Foundations. It gives a fundamental overview of the concepts and worldview contained in key Niwhkinic language words and stories. Students are introduced to the roles and responsibilities of individuals as Niwhkinic within their society in relation to the land, to community and to family in the key areas of the use and protection of land and resources, the protection and service to community: the strength of family and roles within family and how each relates education, economics, political and spiritual practice. More Details on this course
    INLG-265 - Credits: 3.000
    Ways of Knowing: The Niwhkinic Land and Culture
    This course will introduce students to the study of pre-contact Niwhkinic culture. Traditional knowledge, systems and practices are examined in relation to roles and responsibilities, worldview, philosophy and spirituality. More Details on this course
    NIWH-210 - Credits: 3.000
    Niwhkinic Language Linguistics/Literacy
    This course provides a foundation in theory and practice in linguistics and literacy. Students will learn the processes that occur in word formation, phrase formation, and sentence formation. A general introduction to linguistics will be given. More Details on this course
    NIWH-211 - Credits: 3.000
    Niwhkinic Language Translation / Transliteration
    This course provides foundation in theory and practice for transcribing and translating Niwhkinic language oral text. Students will transcribe and translate texts and/or tapes using the International Phonetic Alphabet. As a part of this course, students will develop touch-keyboarding skills using the Niwhkinic language font. There will be a basic introduction to linguistic processes such as phonology, phonetics, morphology, and syntax. There will also be practice in transcribing and reading texts. More Details on this course
    NIWH-220 - Credits: 3.000
    Niwhkinic Language Vocabulary in Place And Socio-Spatial Context II
    This course provides students with increased active immersion learning tools following the three principles of (a) leaving English behind, (b) relating to everything and every action in Niwhkinic language and (c) re-learning the world in Niwhkinic language. Fluent Niwhkinic language speakers engage students in activities focused on increasing the interactive use of Niwhkinic language in selected topics including: (a) a story gathering convened by students, (b) a special feast with elders with elders convened by students, (c) a visit to a sacred sited convened by students and (d) a visit to a traditional gathering selected by students. More Details on this course
    NIWH-221 - Credits: 3.000
    Niwhkinic Language Structure and Syntax
    This course will expose the student to the basic structure and syntax of Niwhkinic language. Topics include an overview of the Niwhkinic languages with regard to patterns and rules of various components of language. This course will also cover the introductory linguistic components of phonetics, phonology, and morphology as it relates to Niwhkinic language. Including descriptive components of sentence building. More Details on this course
    NIWH-230 - Credits: 3.000
    Niwhkinic Connections: Context Through Immersion Learning
    This course will focus on developing listening and speaking for using Niwhkinic language in situational contexts. Students will apply previous knowledge and communication skills to improve or increase vocabulary to connect ideas to everyday situational contexts in Niwhkinic language. Practical application to situations within schools/classroom, community gatherings and formal situations. More Details on this course
    NIWH-231 - Credits: 3.000
    Niwhkinic Language Place and Time: Context Through Immersion Learning
    This course is a full immersion course. It utilizes supervised fluent speakers to engage students in full-immersion activities in Niwhkinic language use. This course will develop proficiency and fluency in contextualizing the speaker and the receiver and third persons in real world situations. The course will increase vocabulary use of simple explanatory statements, responses to questions, use of spatial indicators and appropriate pronoun designations and time differentiation related to present, past, and future contexts. More Details on this course
    NIWH-330 - Credits: 6.000
    Niwhkinic Language Immersion: Pod/Cohort Learning Through Multiple Mentors
    This course builds on Niwhkinic Language Immersion where students will expand on elements of the oral immersion learning tools and communication phrases for use. Students will gain experience hearing different fluent speakers of each Niwhkinic speaking community with the intent of increasing usage and vocabulary. Students will form a Mentor pod process as a cohort of advanced immersion learners moving from one community of fluent speakers to another. Students will assist to organize within their own community the immersion event with the fluent speakers. More Details on this course
    NIWH-350 - Credits: 3.000
    Niwhkinic Language Immersion: Introduction to Mentored Special Topics
    This course is an introductory mentored special topics course. The course provides students immersion learning following a special topics model. Fluent Niwhkinic language topic mentors engage students in total immersion sessions focused on increasing the use of the Niwhkinic language. Implementing a situational learning practice to guide the topics plan for selected sessions. Situational learning topics may include indoor, outdoor, or other practical learning experiences. More Details on this course
     

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