Prince George, BC - The long-term future of the Dene Aboriginal language will be the topic of discussion at the annual Dene Languages Conference, being held for the first time at UNBC from June 18 to 20.

The conference will bring together linguistic experts and Dene speakers from across North America, including keynote speaker Grand Chief Edward John of the Tl'azt'en Nation, a long-time activist for Aboriginal rights.

First Nations language experts Dr. John Alderete of Simon Fraser University, Sharon Hargus from the University of Washington and Patrick Moore of University of British Columbia will also give presentations at the conference.

The theme of this year’s Dene Languages Conference is “na whulna neghuni ulhtus,” which means “While our language is strong.”

“The role of the conference is to provide information about the state of indigenous, and in particular the Dene, language,” says Antonia Mills, a UNBC professor of First Nations Studies and member of the organizing committee. “A lot of the elders who are fluent in the language are passing on, so this conference helps to understand what can be done to keep the language going and keep the languages alive.”

One of the concepts to be discussed is the language nest: a preschool where children are immersed in their native language so they can start life with a base of knowledge in their language.

There will also be a performance by the Lheidli T’enneh Khas t’an Drummers and a Dene language children’s singing group from Burns Lake.

“It’s a good combination of activists from different communities who are presenting,” says Mills. “We’re really looking forward to hosting the conference. It will be a very important event to work on this topic of how to keep the Dene languages alive.”

Click here for more information on the conference schedule. 

The Dene Languages Conference is sponsored by the Prince George Dakelh Elders, TransCanada, Lheidli T'enneh, Aboriginal Education Department and School District 57, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, Moricetown Band, and Nak'azdli.