One of the foundational goals of this initiative was to build an Advisory Board that was broadly representative of First Nations Elders, experienced community-based language educators, and community-based learners to help guide the development and implementation of our program. Particularly important was representation from the Musqueam Indian Band, on whose ancestral territory UBC is situated; from the urban Aboriginal population of Greater Vancouver (the Urban Gitksan and Urban NLe’kepmxcin Associations); from Native education organizations in both the urban core (NEC) and elsewhere in the province (NVIT; FNSA; En’owkin); and from community and Band schools in rural BC (Adams Lake/Chase; Nam g is, Alert Bay). The individuals who collaborated with us throughout the project in this capacity are:
- Larry Grant, Elder, Musqueam Indian Band, and Adjunct Professor, UBC FNEL
- Doreen Jensen, Urban Gitksan Association
- Mandy Jimmie, Nicola Tribal Association; Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
- Joe Michel, Adams Lake Band; Chase Immersion Program
- Tim Michel, Science/Land & Food Systems, UBC
- Kathleen Reynolds, Aboriginal Early Childhood Development, Native Education Center, Vancouver; Urban N?e’kepmxcin Association
Several other key individuals from across the province were, for various reasons, not able to attend the Advisory Board meetings in person. However, we gratefully acknowledge each of the following leaders in First Nations language and literacy initiatives for their input and strong support throughout the ALLI planning and implementation processes, and for their role in disseminating information about ALLI events to their local constituencies.
- Lorna Williams, CRC Scholar in Aboriginal Education and Linguistics, U of Victoria
- Ellen White, Elder-in-Residence, Malaspina College
- Bill Cranmer, Chief Nam g is First Nation; Chair, FPHLCC
- Jeanette Armstrong, En’owkin Centre and UBC Okanagan
- Greg Louie, Maaqtusiis School, Pt. Alberni; President, First Nations Schools Association
- Pewi Alfred, U’mista Cultural Center