Indigenous Languages face a critical threat of extinction as the number of speakers decline drastically, due to colonization of (what we know as) Canada. The Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization project (SILR) is dedicated to promoting and supporting these languages. In 2024, Indigenous Insights Collective, led by Gladys Rowe, formed a team with Taylor Wilson and myself to evaluate SILR’s promising practices. We found that Indigenous Languages hold much more meaning beyond words; they embody culture, identity, and traditional practices. In 2025 and 2026 we continue working alongside SILR to help shape a purpose-driven path to sustainability beyond their initial funding.
SILR is an Indigenous-led and community-responsive project driving systems change within the University of Alberta by bridging between community needs and institutional opportunities. As an evaluation team our strategic work adapts to SILR’s unique project approach, centering Indigenous principles like reciprocity, relational accountability and Indigenous sovereignty. This shows up as:
Measuring impact with data-driven and story-based deliverables (e.g., mid-term evaluation report, Story Seeds card deck), thus creating tools for SILR to share their results.
Employing collaborative systems mapping to clarify roles, relationships, and responsibilities alongside KPIs, in order to honor those involved as well as answer to fiduciary/institutional accountability.
Developing a custom sustainability plan (e.g. leading visioning exercises, enabling decision-making practices) to solidify SILR’s future within the national Language Revitalization ecosystem, driven by identity and responsive to both community needs and funding opportunities.
Recognizing the sensitivity of this work, I am continually reflecting on my role and how I might contribute, acknowledging who I am and where I come from. Through deep listening, continuous learning and thoughtful visualization I strive to add value to this collective work.
“In order to know where we are going, we need to know where we are;
to know where we are, we need to know who we are;
to know who we are, we need to know where we come from.”– Anishnaabe Elder Art Solomon
As this project keeps evolving, I’m grateful for the opportunity to engage with Indigenous knowing, being and doing. My wish, for the future of SILR and beyond, is to collectively learn from the wisdom found in Indigenous languages and worldviews, so we may build a shared sense of humanity in relationship with each other and the land.
