Lummi Video Curriculum Project

FAIN: AD-50017-08

Northwest Indian College Foundation (Bellingham, WA 98226-9278)
Sharon Kinley (Project Director: June 2007 to September 2009)

The Northwest Indian College is committed to providing Native language and culture education. Coast Salish languages are considered highly endangered. Effective language programs are urgently needed. The College is located on Lummi Nation. There are less than ten speakers of the Lummi language. With grant funds, the College's Coast Salish Institute will employ digital technology in the production of 13 videos that teach Lummi language and culture. Print-based curricula will be developed to accompany each video. Educators at Lummi will be coached in the use of the newly created curricula. A two-day, hands-on conference that will be attended by at least 75 language and culture educators from at least 25 tribes will provide an opportunity to share this approach to curriculum development. Coast Salish Institute staff and consultants will work with Language and Culture Departments from other tribes to help them begin to develop similar curricula for their tribe.