The goal of the Indian Languages and Linguistics Programs at the First Nations University of Canada is to strengthen First Nations identity by ensuring the survival of the languages of Saskatchewan's First Nations. Faculty and Sessional Lecturers work toward promoting a sense of pride in the knowledge and use of First Nations languages. 

The programs offer students a unique opportunity to combine the study of the five First Nations languages of Saskatchewan with that of the Linguistics or Indigenous Education Programs. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Cree, Saulteaux and/or Linguistics, a Bachelor of Arts Minor in Linguistics and/or a Bachelor of Education Minor in the five languages - Cree, Dakota, Dene, Nakota and Saulteaux. A First Nations Language Instruction Certificate (FNLIC) is also offered in all five languages. For more information about FNLIC, contact JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING .

Languages

The introductory language courses teach conversational fluency and provide an awareness of how each language works. More advanced classes explore structure, writing systems, literatures, principles of translation, expository and creative writing and oral traditions, and may include directed studies. Classes are offered in the five First Nations languages of Saskatchewan - Cree, Dakota, Dene, Nakota and Saulteaux.

Linguistics

Students enrolled in linguistics classes are provided with the tools to study and talk about language as part of a comprehensive program designed to assist students with following their passion. French, Polish, Arabic, Japanese and many other languages are are also studied rather than focusing on one language or only the languages spoken in Canada and the United States. Students learn about the sounds of language, the structure of words and sentences and about linguistic meaning as well as about language history, language learning and teaching and language of the mind.