Program: Indigenous Languages - North Island College

Apr 06, 2025

2022-2023 Academic Calendar

Explore Indigenous languages and ways of knowing and being in introductory and immersion settings. These courses have been locally developed as part of NIC’s commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

Courses focus on the basic conversation, structure and pronunciation in a setting focused on listening and speaking. Topics include greetings, social interactions, community and more. Multiple dialects are offered in each language - see the course descriptions for details.

To register in any of NIC’s Indigenous language courses, apply to the Adult Basic Education program. Course may also be taken as part of the BC Adult Graduation Diploma program.

To view program start dates, locations, delivery methods and other important information, visit the program page.

Estimated Course Fees

Kwak’wala Courses

Kwak’wala courses focus on the basic conversation, structure and pronunciation of Kwak’wala in a setting focused on listening and speaking. Topics include greetings, social interactions, community and more. Students will also learn about the vital role of the language to Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw First Nation members and develop strategies to support learning their Indigenous languages. Courses may be taught in different dialects and orthography systems.

Nuu-chah-nulth

Meaning “all along the mountains and sea,” the Nuu-chah-nulth language is spoken by 14 Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations made up of 10,000 members in three regions on Vancouver Island’s West Coast.

Nuu-chah-nulth courses focus on developing listening techniques and learning words, phrases and greetings to communicate in the home, the classroom and with elders. Students will learn sound patterns and word pronunciations for conversational Nuu-chah-nulth. Courses may be taught in different dialects.