Squamish Language Policy Framework
The Squamish Nation Language and Cultural Department is seeking your feedback on the proposed Squamish Language Policy Framework. Based on your feedback, we will create a report for Council that is based on key themes, suggestions and your input.
Some of the highlights of the Squamish Language Policy Framework include:
- the establishment of a Language Commission;
- a Squamish Language Revitalization Policy;
- Squamish Language Oral Proficiency Certification;
- Squamish Language Teacher Certification;
- Squamish Language Protocol;
- and a Squamish Language Naming Process.
Please forward any comments or input to:
Tracy Williams,
Manager, Language and Cultural Affairs
email: tracy_williams@squamish.net
SQUAMISH LANGUAGE POLICY FRAMEWORK:
FOUNDING PROVISIONS
A recognition on the language rights of the Squamish Peoples including reference to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Section 35, and others.
LANGUAGE COMMISSION (“LANGUAGE AUTHORITY”)
- The mandate for a language authority called a Language Commission to be appointed by Council.
- The structure of the commission being nine members for a four-year term based on a criterion of:
- understanding of language policy;
- experience with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh Sníchim planning in family and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh community contexts;
- academic background in sociolinguistics and language planning;
- high levels of connectivity with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh Sníchim community initiatives.
- High level of proficiency in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh Sníchim
- The rules, procedures, and requirements of the Commission including a Terms of Reference approved by the Commission.
- The Commission may create sub-committees to accomplish any of its required duties.
- The Commission may be compensated for their contributions and services, but any employees appointed to the Commission are conducting their work with the Commission outside of their staff role.
- The policy will uphold and conform to the Squamish Nation’s conflict of interest policy.
- The policy shall set out the purpose and functions of the Commission.
DIRECTOR
- The purpose and functions of the Director are to uphold and implement this policy.
- The Director may delegate any of its duties within this policy to an employee to act as designate.
REVITALIZATION STRATEGY
- The Squamish Nation requires an official language revitalization strategy be developed and implemented to guide the long-term goals, objectives, targets, and initiatives and must include a costing of the strategy.
- Consult people in the development and amendment of the strategy as determined by the Commission
- The Squamish Nation will deliver language programs & services consistent with the Strategy.
- A mandate for the Director appointed to implement the policy to take all reasonable steps to partner with institutions to implement the strategy
ORAL PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATION
- Authorizing the Commission to grant certificates on oral proficiency based on an approved oral proficiency guideline with:
- Appointing certified examiners with the powers to certify at each level.
- Certifications last two years and must be renewed to maintain proficiency.
- Maintain a registry of certified speakers.
TEACHER CERTIFICATION
- Grant official Squamish Language Commission Teaching Certification
- The purpose of the Squamish Language Commission Teaching Certification is to provide teacher certification within the regulations of the Teacher Regulation Branch.
- The certification would be based on a process to be determined by the Commission that:
- Have completed some level of training, formal or informal, to the satisfaction of the Commission.
- Skilled in curriculum planning and implementation.
- Skilled in classroom management
- Skilled in proficiency assessment
- Guidelines to be created by the Commission on what is required to be approved for teacher certification.
LANGUAGE PROTOCOL
- The Squamish Nation will recognize full time and part time employees who are language speakers with a financial contribution connected to their certified proficiency level.
- Ex. $1/hour for novice speakers = $1,920 bonus
- Ex. $1.25/hour for intermediate = $2,400 bonus
- Ex. $1.75/hour for advanced = $3,360 bonus
- Ex. $2.50/hour for superior = $4,800 bonus
- The Squamish Nation will require partners, external agencies, organizations, and governments to uphold the Language Protocol.
NAMING PROCESS
- The Commission be responsible for name translation, creation, or officialising requests internal to the Squamish Nation, external to the Squamish Nation.
- The Commission has the right to deny requests from external requests
- The Commission must set out regulations for a process for formal requests
- Fees may be applied for external requests to process requests.
- The Director must keep a list of verified translators who may be recommended to third parties to contract for translation services.
- The Language Commission or its own sub-committee may provide final verification/approval for official sanction.
FUNDING
The policy requires the policy implementation and official strategy implementation be costed and submitted as part of the Squamish Nation’s budgeting policy.
ACCOUNTABILITY & REPORTING
The Commission is required to report on its activities to Council annually and make their report publicly available.