The nine Haida elders receiving honourary degrees were honoured throughout VIU's convocation ceremony on Monday, June 3. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

living library's

Haida Elders honoured for efforts to save, revitalize language

Jun 3, 2019 | 10:01 AM

NANAIMO — A treasured Indigenous language continues to live on thanks to the efforts of nine dedicated Haida Elders.

The Elders, who spent the last 21 years at VIU working to preserve the Skidegate dialect of the Haida language, were presented honourary degrees at the university’s convocation ceremony on Monday, June 3.

VIU professor Les Malbon told the large convocation crowd the nine Elders are “living libraries” and icons.

“The immensity of the great work cannot be overstated. It truly comes from the core of their being.” _{Les Malbon, VIU professor}

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Since creating the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program in 1998, the Elders have met five days a week for 10 months of the year to record what was previously just an oral language.

Their efforts include combing through more than 230 CD’s, hundreds of Indigenous language lesson plans and books.

The end result is an app and a glossary of Haida words to ensure the language will live on.

“They have provided a foundation where their culture can remain truly Haida,” Malbon said.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit