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Dr. Kathryn Michel has worked extensively in the area of community language revitalization and Indigenous language immersion education. She is one of the founding parents of Chief Atahm School, a Secwépemc language immersion program in 1991 on the Adams Lake Reserve near Chase, BC. Dr. Michel holds a Doctorate in Education from UBC and a Master of Arts in Education degree from SFU. She has written, edited and published numerous language curriculum resources for use in Secwepemc immersion classrooms. In 2013, she developed the “First Nations Language Essentials” curriculum guides for use in language programs in First Nations Schools across BC. Currently she is lead instructor for R Stselxméms r Secwépemc Institute language programs through NVIT and UBCO.
We are pleased to host a Roundtable on planning for succession of language teachers. We invite language teachers, either teachers in training or practicing teachers, to join in the Roundtable to discuss issues related to teaching, training and succession.
Janice E. Billy is the grade 2/3 immersion teacher at Chief Atahm School and also teaches in the adult proficiency program. For over 20 years she has worked with all ages of language learners, from children to adults. She is a well-known TPRS presenter and has the ability to bring excitement to teaching language through storytelling while still using comprehensible input. Janice also teaches an intensive TPRS course at our TPRS Summer Institute.
Charli Fortier is the Language Manager for Simpcw. As the Language Manager, Charli has taught the Simpcw Language and Culture Staff credited courses through Simon Fraser University and is the main instructor the Simpcw cohort for the Language Proficiency Certificate in Secwepemctsín. She works closely with Elders within the Secwépemc Nation to elicit, translate and transcribe the language.
Callie Hill is Turtle Clan, Kanyen’kehà:ka, and is a lifetime resident of Kenhtè:ke. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na Language and Cultural Centre (TTO) since 2004 and has dedicated much of her professional life to revitalizing Kanyen’kéha for the benefit of her community and the Mohawk Nation.
Callie has a Master of Education Degree in Indigenous Language Revitalization from the University of Victoria. She continues to be a learner of the Mohawk language. Callie will speak about the language revitalization that began over 30 years ago when a group of parents from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory came together to create ways to raise their children so they could learn and honour their language and culture. Through this goal many speakers have been born. This spirit of language awakening continues as construction of their new Kenhtè:ke Language and Cultural Centre is scheduled to begin.
Ada Jules is a proud Secwepemc educator from Adams Lake Band. She holds a Secwepemc Language Immersion Proficiency Diploma and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria. A former student of Chief Atahm School, Ada now teaches Grade 4 immersion at Chief Atahm, where she is dedicated to fostering language revitalization and cultural learning.
Helping families raise amazing children in our beautiful Secwepemc language and culture. Call today for a tour or to talk about what our program can offer you and your family.