They are learning their own language one step, one action and one laugh at a time.
“We move into the language” instructor Buffi David said of a method called Total Physical Response.
The students of the Stz’uminus First Nation are learning Hul’qumi’num through the method learned on a trip to New Zealand.
Now, some students and teachers are off to Hawaii for another language conference.
“We’re going to get more information on immersion and more information on how the Hawaiians went from not speaking to speaking their language,” said Pearl Harris, Hul’qumi’num manager.
Immersion, like French Immersion, is the practice of living in a language and hearing it exclusively.
The trip to Hawaii, from Feb. 8 to 16, includes eight of David’s students, including Dawnda Nahanee and Fran Bob.
Both said they are excited.
“To learn more about other aboriginal peoples and their language should be interesting,” Nahanee said.
The trip features two parts — a language workshop in Honolulu and then a field study in Hilo.
“I think it will make us stronger,” Bob said about the trip. “I think we will each come back with something different.”
Bob said three generations of the language have been lost, but they are moving in the right direction.
“It’s really gaining momentum in terms of revitalizing and preserving,” she said.
Bob said students are interested in the trip because of the time and effort they’ve put into the classes.
“When you have that level of commitment to learn a language, you want to research different ways to learn,” Bob said.
David said the trip is important step ahead in language training.
“I need to go and see what they’re doing,” she said.
She said the children in the community are learning Hul’qumi’num in school, but are coming home to parents who are note sure of what they’re saying.
“The parents are asking ‘What are my children saying?’” David said.
The group meets three days a week for language classes, with a total of 22 students enrolled.
Now, the school is fundraising to make sure they have enough money to pay for the flight between Honolulu and Hilo and other costs incurred on the trip.
A cultural day has been organized to help.
The event will be at Aggie Hall, Jan. 29 from 10 a.m.
Entry is by donation and there will be a silent auction.
The proceeds will go to the trip.
