I thought this announcement about a Native language writers and
literacy festival in Canada might be of interest.
Gordon Bronitsky
Conference to celebrate
Aboriginal languages and literature
Ottawa,
Nov. 25, 2004 –
Writers,
storytellers and academic delegates experienced in Aboriginal
languages and literature will gather in Penticton, B.C. this weekend
for a national conference focusing on artistic creation, literacy and
usage of original Aboriginal languages.
The first-ever Original Languages and Literature Conference (OLLC)
will be held at the En’owkin Centre on November 26-28, and is
co-sponsored by the En’owkin Centre and the Canada Council for the
Arts. Other government supporters include the Department of Canadian
Heritage and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. Its purpose is to
bring together Aboriginal language speakers, artists and academics to
discuss original language literature and the arts – oral and written.
Federal statistics reveal that of Canada’s 50 Aboriginal languages, 47
face extinction within one or two generations. Only Cree, Ojibwa and
Inuktitut have sufficient speakers to survive future generations.
Delegates representing many of these 50 languages will explore ways in
which the arts can help revitalize languages, particularly for
Aboriginal youth.
Invited delegates, keynote speakers and honourees include
distinguished storytellers, writers, media professionals, performers,
musicians and advocates whose work continues to support the recovery
of original Aboriginal languages. Keynote speakers include Anishnawbe
author and storyteller Basil Johnson, Métis author, playwright and
filmmaker Maria Campbell, and Eva Aariak, Nunavut Languages
Commissioner.
Representatives of government agencies have also been invited to
attend, to provide information and observe the conference proceedings
and activities.
“Throughout the conference, we hope to create an atmosphere of shared
dialogue directed at the development and identification of key policy
issues which support the revitalization of original languages and
literatures,” said Jeannette Armstrong, Executive Director of the
En’owkin Centre.
A special honouring ceremony will be held to recognize elders who,
through their work in Aboriginal languages and literature, have
advocated for the continued existence and recovery of those languages.
There will also be an evening of artistic performances and readings
which celebrate Aboriginal languages and literature.
For more information regarding the conference, contact Jeannette
Armstrong at the En’owkin Centre at (250) 493-7181 or Louise
Profeit-LeBlanc, Aboriginal Arts Coordinator of the Canada Council for
the Arts at 1-800-263-5588, ext. 5212.
-30-
Media Contact: Public Affairs, Research and Communications
Donna Balkan (613) 566-4305 or 1
800 263-5588, ext. 4134
E-mail:
0000,0000,FFFFdonna.balkan@canadacouncil.ca
Carole Breton (613) 566-4414 ext. 4523 or 1 800 263-5588,
ext. 4523
E-mail :
0000,0000,FFFFcarole.breton@canadacouncil.ca
Visit our web site at
0000,0000,FFFFwww.canadacouncil.ca.