Âé¶čÊÓÆ”

Indigenous Languages Program

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Alumni

Remembering Recent Ceremonies

  • To view the program book for a convocation ceremony (which lists the names of all graduates), see the Program Book Archive. 

2026 Graduates

Geoffrey Craig Adams advocates for SecwepemctsĂ­n language immersion

October 13, 2026. Congratulations to Geoffrey Craig Adams! He graduated on October 8th with a Master of Arts in Indigenous Languages and Linguistics (INLL MA), SecwepemctsĂ­n cohort. Geoffrey Craig pursued this credential as part of his journey to become a SecwepemctsĂ­n immersion teacher. Learn more.

Family of four celebrates their graduation from Âé¶čÊÓÆ”Indigenous Languages Program

June 16, 2026. “We are incredibly proud of what can be achieved through family support, commitment, and working toward goals together. This certificate program became a true family success story for us. Together, my husband, our two teenage daughters and I all worked hard and successfully completed the certificate as a family. Our daughters began the program at ages 14 and 17, completing it at 15 and 18.” Learn more.

Committing to Indigenous language revitalization: Qwuy’um’aat Elliott shares her story 

June 15, 2026. “My name is Qwuy’um’aat (Eyvette) Elliott. I am a proud member of the Cowichan Tribes. I am graduating with a Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency, focusing on Hul’q’umi’num. I felt a strong pull to deepen my connection to learn my language for myself, my children, my family and the generations that come after us.” Learn more.

2025 Graduates

Jasបwaan Bedard: In her own words

June 12, 2025. Dr. Bedard defended her PhD thesis on April 3rd, 2025. On June 12th, her doctoral degree was conferred at the convocation ceremony. “I have aligned my PhD research with the many roles I have filled in my community to strengthen our dialect of X̱aad Kil, the Old Massett dialect of the Haida language. My research uses a Haida Research Framework based on Haida Laws and protocols to guide a pathway for X̱aad Kil immersion. My work has allowed me to apply my research in how to best serve our community language needs in real time.” Learn more.

Kaitlyn Cunningham awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation

June 11, 2025. Since she was five years old, Kaitlyn Cunningham has been learning hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, one of the three dialects of the Halkomelem language. When Cunningham turned 17, she began volunteering to teach hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ to youth in the community alongside her sister Leah Meunier. A significant component of Cunningham’s language revitalization efforts is the founding of the (XWCS), founded in 2022. In recognition of her lifelong dedication to Indigenous language revitalization, Cunningham is being awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal. Read the article.

2024 Graduates

Lauren Schneider joins INLP faculty

October 10, 2024. Dr. Lauren Schneider graduated from Âé¶čÊÓÆ”with a PhD at the October 2024 convocation ceremony. Lauren's work focuses on research in Hul’q’umi’num’, including description, analysis, and reclamation. Her thesis is titled . Lauren is joining the Indigenous Languages Program as an Assistant Professor in Fall 2025. Read the article.

2023 Graduates

Lifelong Indigenous language advocate dedicates degree to Tlingit heritage

October 04, 2023. As 79-year-old KĂšyishĂ­ Bessie Cooley presented her master's degree thesis project at the Yukon Native Language Centre in Whitehorse—interweaving English and Tlingit as she spoke—it marked another milestone in what is already an extraordinarily accomplished life. Read the story.

2022 Graduates

  • MA Project by Victoria Mckoy: Conversational Shmˈalgyack (Sm’algyax) Audio Glossary. 
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2021 Graduates

  • June 18, 2021. 
  • Donna M. Modeste is the first recipient of the new Minor in Indigenous Languages in her BA degree. 

  • "Xu’athun stl’q’een’: Hwulmuhw perspectives on art and language"
  • "tsetsul'ulhtun' mustimuhw: Hul'q'umi'num' stories from our fishing life"
  • "Suwsiw: Hul'q'umi'num' stories of land and sea"
  • "Connecting generations through hwulmuhwqun stories"

2020 Graduates

  • June 11, 2020. First cohort of Hul’q’umi’num’ speakers graduate with Indigenous Languages diploma. Read the article.
  • June 09, 2020. Linguistics grad Julienne Ignace follows footsteps of barrier-breaking parents. Read the article. 

  • "Angry Raven and friends: Three new stories for Hul'q'umi'num' language learners."
  •  (August 26, 2020)
    "xu’athun stl’q’een’: hwulmuhw perspectives on art and language"
  •  (August 20, 2020)
    "lhwet ’a’lu kw’u xwi’em’? hwi’ ’een’thu tse’!: How I learned to tell and perform a Hul’q’umi’num’ story"
  •  "How What Was Said Was Said: Quotation in Hul’q’umi’num’ Narrative Performance"

2019 Graduates

  • June 10, 2019. Coast Salish Elder and linguist Ruby Peter given Âé¶čÊÓÆ”honorary degree. Read the article. 

  • "ni’ q’ushintul’ ’u tunu shhw’alukw’a’ | Traveling with my family: Growing and learning in the Hul’q’umi’num’ language"

  • "Wind from the North: Hul’q’umi’num’ speakers in Saanich"