Indigenous Students Speaking our Languages (ISSOL)

ISSOL aims to create spaces on campus for Indigenous (First Nations, Red River Metis, Inuit) students to learn, speak, and reclaim their languages. We welcome all students, staff, and community members to our events, but our work will focus on empowering and creating space for Indigenous speakers and learners to use their languages. Reclaiming one’s language can be a difficult and emotional journey, therefore ISSOL prioritizes maintaining safe and supportive environments for all individuals at all levels of proficiency. ISSOL’s understanding of language reclamation is underpinned by the notion that all Indigenous peoples have the right to learn and use their languages, and Indigenous peoples know how to best govern and uplift their languages. ISSOL welcomes you to join us for language learning events such as language tables, language circles, and other exciting opportunities to keep our languages alive. Come learn, speak, make mistakes, and make some connections with other learners! Can’t wait to see you there!

Membership: Anyone in the UW community can come and participate in our events. Please contact me if you are interested in hosting a language initiative for your language or would like to become involved in planning/hosting language events with us.