Environments and Styles to Teach Native Language through Immersion
Jeff Mercier shares knowledge and examples of the Chinuk Wawa Education immersion program for preschoolers at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. He speaks to the value of integrating modern and traditional resources, place-based learning, creating a calm classroom environment, & using less conventional instructional methods or materials when useful. Examples include translations of Pete the Cat on the modern side, & canoe-inspired lessons on the more traditional end. Be inspired by his perspective on seeing challenges as opportunities!
Resources
Chat Transcript
11:52:53 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
How does your community work with young children/include young children in lang. learning
12:01:54 From Geena Talley to Everyone:
Ayukii, from the Karuk Tribe in Northern Cali. Our tribe has multiple language classes each week taught by community leaders in the Karuk language, as well as language immersion programs in elementary schools as well as some classes at the high school level
12:02:15 From Wendy Sampson to Everyone:
can you repost chat question please?
12:02:25 From Robert Elliott to Everyone:
How does your community work with young children/include young children in lang. learning
12:02:29 From Keegan Livermore (he/they) to Everyone:
Around the Yakama Reservation, we have two headstart programs and some after-school elementary programs that include some language and culture.
12:02:47 From Wendy Sampson to Everyone:
thank you 🙂
12:02:49 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
Welcoming everyone from UO’s Sapsik’ʷałá Teacher Education Program today! https://education.uoregon.edu/sapsikwala
12:02:50 From Mary Porter to Everyone:
I am with Sauk Suiattle, I know Katie has done YouTube videos for the children, I have yet to start so that is all I know.
12:03:50 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
Our Warm Springs colleagues are off today – language is included there in ECE classrooms.
12:03:57 From Aaron Peterson to Everyone:
Come from the Hoopa Valley tribe and we have the language classes for Hupa and Yurok available at the local high school. We also have language camps through the summer that is actually going on right now.
12:04:32 From Clarissa Readen to Everyone:
Aiy-yu-kwee, I am from the Yurok tribe! we have Yurok language classes in multiple high schools, Yurok language camps over the summer and language zooms monthly that language teachers have to join.
12:05:13 From Wendy Sampson to Everyone:
How does your community work with young children/include young children in lang. learning There are 2 cultural outreach educators for early childhood programs in our community-and they work with head start/child care staff on basic vocab and info covered in preschool (colors, animals, numbers, basic useful phrases and songs) , and 2 cultural outreach educators for elementary schools and programs in our community (they do short lessons in elementary schools in our school district,) and hopefully will be doing an elementary summer program soon.
12:08:15 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
This is a great program for Indigenous teacher educators – please recommend to folks who are thinking of becoming teachers, ! A bit more about this master’s program – https://education.uoregon.edu/sapsikwala Tuition, housing, etc expenses are covered by the program and students gain k-12 teacher certification.
12:33:11 From Keegan Livermore (he/they) to Everyone:
Possible Discussion Questions: 1- How important is it to have preschool language classes in a community? Why/why not? 2- What did you find most interesting about the schools at Grand Ronde that Jeff showed? 3- How does your teaching or community balance traditional and “modern” practices around your language? 4- Place based learning is localized and relevant to a specific community. How might Place Based learning be adapted to your community / a community you know about? 5- What questions do you still have for Jeff about his work?
12:34:14 From Judith Fernandes to Everyone:
Really enjoyed seeing the kids in action!
12:34:40 From Geena Talley to Everyone:
this looks like an amazing program, thank you for sharing, Jeff!!
12:53:53 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
Whisked away mid-word again! Thanks group!
12:55:14 From Jesse Blackburn to Everyone:
Thanks Jeff and Group 3! He was saying as we ended: Don’t be discouraged by small numbers when starting or starting over — you’re planting seeds — those 3 learners can grow into the most beautiful 3 roses…
12:55:25 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
Geena, you had specific questions in our room! (putting you on the spot I know…)
12:56:29 From Joliene Carolina to Everyone:
Low #s (really low #s) came up on our group too from the Sauk-Suiattle Group
12:58:04 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
Our group mentioned the inspiration of elders and ancestors – their work made programs today possible.
13:01:51 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
Tony Johnson will be one of our TRaiLS speakers next Friday July 1 – not specifically on GR immersion but it could come up or be something to ask about.
13:04:40 From AaliyahD/MildredQ to Everyone:
MIldred had to step away.
13:12:59 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
We discussed how engaging and inspirational the materials Jeff showed us are – traditional and modern.
13:16:04 From (Ginger) Xołchwił-tah-tung’nahsma:ts, Hupa to Everyone:
The Seeds We Planted: Portraits of a Native Hawaiian Charter School (First Peoples: New Directions Indigenous) by Noelani Goodyear-Ka’opua 📖
13:16:30 From Aaron Peterson to Everyone:
Thank you!
13:16:47 From Elsie to Everyone:
Nchi kwathla Jeff
13:17:05 From Jesse Blackburn to Everyone:
Yes, thanks so much to Jeff and all the great discussants!
13:17:09 From Geena Talley to Everyone:
Yootva!
13:17:13 From Tuxamshish to Everyone:
we loved the canoe on wheels!
13:17:36 From Sherana Curley-Becenti to Everyone:
You are inspiring! Thank you.
13:17:51 From Jesse Blackburn to Everyone:
Yes! The canoe wagon was great 😍
13:18:32 From Robert Elliott to Everyone:
https://blogs.uoregon.edu/trails/2022-2/introduce-yourself/
13:19:02 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
Thank you!
Video Link
Additional Resources
Websites:
– Chinuk Wawa Education: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
– Native Language Immersion Initiative:
- Grant Seeker Resources from Native Language Immersion Initiative
Classes:
– Chinook Wawa: History, information, & course objectives (currently online) via Lane Community College: https://www.lanecc.edu/programs-academics/academic-departments/arts-and-humanities-division/language-studies-department/chinuk-wawa-history-information
Videos:
– Szczepanski, Crystal Starr. [TedX Talks] (2019, March 6) chinook wawa: Native American Indian Language. [Video]. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKMSTkbtPBk
– YouTube channel for Chinuk Wawa Education program, including videos from Jeff Mercier’s presentation: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf0URTCz2s5U3AgefuDgyIg
Readings/articles:
– Johnston, Bill and Kimberly Johnson. 2002. Preschool Immersion Education for Indigenous 186 Languages: A Survey of Resources. Canadian Journal of Native Education. 26.2.
– First Peoples’ Heritage Language & Culture Council by Chief Atahm School Curriculum Team. (2009). First nations language nests: Your guide to operating a successful language immersion program for the very young.
https://fpcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FPCC-First-Nations-Language-Nests-Your-Guide-to-Operating-a-Successful-Language-Immersion-Prorgram-for-the-Very-Young-2014.pdf
Reflection questions from Jeff Mercier
– Does your community have and or use archival materials to support language revitalization?
– How important is it to have preschool language classes in a community? Why/why not?
– What did you find most interesting about the schools at Grand Ronde that Jeff showed?
– How does your teaching or community balance traditional and “modern” practices around your language?
– Is place-based learning localized and relevant to a specific community?
– How might place-based learning be adapted to your community/ a community you know about?