Here are some more highlights from the evaluation forms we received from ALLI participants.
Courses
How did your knowledge and skills develop regarding teaching, literacy, documentation, and research of Aboriginal languages?
[I valued learning to use] the recording devices, then transferring into a program in the computer, allowing one to see the sounds as accurately as possible, very helpful. Also seeing and using different alphabets transliterating sentences helped to increase transcription and listening skills.
Besides forming personal relationships with students, experts, and community members all dedicated to the revival and documentation of Aboriginal languages, we learned how to access countries’ resources online and elsewhere.
[I valued learning] to use the alphabet that most closely represents the specific sounds of each language for future non-language speaking members of each community without forcing a change to existing alphabet if one exists.
[I] learned about writing systems that we need to teach/learn the languages.
Learning transcription is great, and will be used very much.
I learned a lot when it comes to documentation and being professional, when it also comes to policy and procedure.
This has shown how each community has what seems to be a uniform split amongst the members of the affected community member & how to overcome some of the problems (socio-political) including how to work around the effects of the denigration of aboriginal languages and culture, spirituality.
We were included amongst Elders of the community.
[I gained] so much new knowledge.
How did ALLI contribute to your understanding of Aboriginal ways of knowing and learning?
[I learned that] hearing the stories of communities reflects the moral of each story and each time the story is told a new facet emerges, especially as one reaches greater comprehension in life.
The many discussions with elders Larry Grant, and others, taught me many things in this regard.
[I appreciated] learning through guest speakers’ stories
[I learned about] respectful acknowledgement of an equally sacred culture.
How did ALLI influence your interpretation about career opportunities related to Aboriginal language and literacy documentation, teaching, and/or research?
[ALLI] contributed a lot. Has changed my career objectives altogether.
Yes, this is something that I may pursue in the future, with me being in a teaching program. I think it may be what I will teach.
Events
“Reclaiming our Aboriginal Languages” Forum Theatre event, July 4
It was an amazing event that educated everybody involved on real day to day issues faced by Aboriginals in this culture.
It was a very moving experience that contributed on my overall understanding of the issues presented in the class.
The theatre event was great and a very eye opening experience.
Great. A lot of humour used to defuse past experiences.
Panel on Indigenous Orality and Story-telling, July 13
This was very educational and inspiring. We learned the power of art and stories in teaching and preserving culture.
A very interesting variety of approaches which illuminated the range of ways in which language revitalization can be used and accomplished.
Very valuable.
Endangered Languages Film Series, July 7, July 8, July 15
Shows how many of Indigenous languages of the world are endangered. How each speech community is attempting to revitalize and maintain languages. Also shows how a speech community is adversely affected when there is only “ONE” speaker left and the “other” speaker is the linguist that has moved on and not able to return to the community.
The films were eye opening especially the world globalization film.
Endangered Languages Revitalization Symposium, July 18
Very informative and inspiring. I felt lucky to be able to hear from such respected people.
A wonderful array of speakers who all presented very illuminating experiences from their communities, encouraging all of us to persevere in this area.
[It is] always valuable to hear first-hand from community members.
The symposium was very informative and enlightening, especially the information from the Chief Ahtom School.
Fantastic.
Social events: Dinner July 13, Lunch July 18
All of these events helped me feel part of a community, something I’ve lacked throughout my last years at U.B.C.
Each of these events helped to enlarge the access to some of the people involved with revitalization and could possibly be of assistance with resources for teaching.
Very nice food!
Lunch was great. The fish was great!!
General Comments
What did you value most about your ALLI experience?
Learning about the present situation of global indigenous language loss.
My being exposed to: community struggles, ways of documenting, access to resources.
I have valued the opportunity to explore the vast research possibilities on campus.
Learning the policies and procedures of doing an interview. I enjoyed learning about iMovie and iDVD. I really liked the instructors… I enjoyed their presence.
Practically everything that was taught was new to me.
The time spent together.
What improvements in ALLI courses, events, scheduling would you recommend?
None. More ALLI courses all year round.
More courses! More courses! Especially (but not only) more language courses.
Longer duration for courses in Summer Session.
Over a longer period of time (or have course go on for 1 week, have a week off, etc.)
More involvement by representatives from more nations in B.C.
Please comment on the value of having had the presence of Elders participating in ALLI
This was great. Our elders contributed SO much to the whole experience. It was a very good idea to have them here with us.
Extremely valuable. Each one brought us the wealth of their experience and they were all important + diverse.
Always appreciated having them contribute their points of view.
Especially valuable to hear them speak the language.
Invaluable resource.