Language

There are approximately 70 Indigenous languages spoken in Canada. Of these, 35 come from British Columbia. Many of these languages have very few speakers and are at risk of disappearing due to the legacy of residential schools and other colonial disruptions. Many Indigenous Nations are leading efforts in language revitalization.  In Surrey, the Kwantlen and the Katzie speak hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, the downriver dialect of Halkomelem, while the Semiahmoo speak SENĆOŦEN.Language revitalization is deeply connected to reconciliation because language is more than just a tool for communication — it carries a community’s culture, identity, worldview, and connection to the land.