Anna Moffat

Topic

Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Indigenous Language Revitalization

Department of Linguistics

Date & location

• Tuesday, July 30, 2024
• 9:00 A.M.
• Virtual Defence

Examining Committee

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Suzanne Urbanczyk, Department of Linguistics, University of Victoria (Supervisor)
• Dr. Tatiana Degai, Department of Anthropology, UVic (Outside Member)

External Examiner

• Dr. Tommy Happynook, Department of Anthropology, UVic

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Stuart Snaith, Gustavson School of Business, UVic

Abstract

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is the knowledge and understanding of the complex systems of local ecology. Indigenous Language Revitalization (ILR) is a movement against the shifting use of a language within its particular community. Both languages and TEK are passed by generational instruction and carried by each specific culture. This thesis explores how ILR and TEK are interconnected in many ways, including in language lessons (both method and content), in understanding worldviews which provide conceptual foundations in language, in language reclamation, and in understanding the land. This thesis follows an Indigenist paradigm and uses the structure of Parker (2012) to answer the following questions: how do communities include TEK in their language revitalization work? What are some of the effects of including TEK in Indigenous language revitalization work? What about TEK is important to language revitalization? To answer these questions, the thesis includes a review of the literature, interviews with Indigenous experts, a website survey and finally, a usable resource. The literature review contains analysis of extant literature. Interviews with experts who have been involved in the work of incorporating TEK in ILR in four Indigenous languages brings additional insight through their greater depth of knowledge, experience and perspective. The website survey contains an analysis of community ILR websites which correspond to the languages spoken by the interviewees. Finally, the creation of a resource ensures that this research is reciprocal. This study contributes to our knowledge of how TEK and ILR are intertwined, and underscores the importance of incorporating, respecting, and recognizing TEK in ILR.