How to Use the Language Revitalization Planning Toolkit

Welcome to the Language Revitalization Planning Toolkit! We are glad that you are interested in learning about and developing a language revitalization plan for your community.

The Language Revitalization Planning Toolkit was developed to support Indigenous communities to create their own language revitalization plan. The toolkit offers instructions, examples and templates for a community-based planning process.

Cultural protocols are at the heart of the planning process. This guide is meant to be adapted to honour individual community protocols. A community may choose to adapt the guide to align with its own natural planning practices rooted in the community’s culture, language, lands and waters. This helps to create a self-determined and sustainable process and plan.

This toolkit contains the following sections:

Part One: Introduction to Language Revitalization Planning

This section explains what a language revitalization plan is and how it helps communities achieve their language revitalization goals. This section also provides an overview of the seasonal model for planning. The seasonal model presents the stages of a language revitalization plan as a natural cycle:

  • Pre-planning (spring)
  • Planning (summer)
  • Pre-implementation (autumn)
  • Implementation (winter)

Part Two: Creating a Language Revitalization Plan

This section explains all the parts of a language revitalization plan and provides a step-by-step guide for how to create one. Use this section in conjunction with Part Three: Planning Tools.

Part Three: Planning Tools

This section provides information and tools that will be helpful throughout the process of developing a language revitalization plan. Use this section in conjunction with Part Two: Creating a Language Revitalization Plan.

Part Four: Additional Resources

This section provides links to additional resources to support communities with language revitalization planning.

Acknowledgements

Toolkit Development Team

Arlene Deptuck
TE,LI,MET,ȾTEN Glenn Jim
Quee-i-sook Thul-la-me-eh Magie-Mae Adams
Aliana Parker
Mallory Blondeau, Carmen Wiigwaas Craig and Rachel Mason of Arrive Consulting

This toolkit has been improved with substantial feedback and support from: Megan Lappi, Celia Sollows, Emmy MacMillan, Hannah Mashon, Suzanne Gessner, Thea Harris, Sydney Moore and Lauri Seidlitz.

The seasonal language planning infographics were created by Taylor Krulicki, Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Additional artistic elements were created by Ronnie Dean Harris (Stō:lo / St’át’imc / Nlaka’pamux).

We respectfully thank and acknowledge the Department of Canadian Heritage for funding for this toolkit.