\u27Struggling with Language\u27 : Indigenous movements for Linguistic Security and the Politics of Local Community

In this article, I explore the relationship between linguistic diversity and political power. Specifically, I outline some of the ways that linguistic diversity has served as a barrier to the centralization of power, thus constraining, for example, the political practice of empire-formation. A brief historical example of this dynamic is presented in the case of Spanish colonialism of the 16th-century. The article proceeds then to demonstrate how linguistic diversity remains tied to struggles against forms of domination. I argue that in contemporary indigenous movements for linguistic security, the languages themselves are not merely conceived of as the object of the political struggle, but also as the means to preserve a space for local action and deliberation – a ‘politics of local community’. I show that linguistic diversity and the devolution of political power to the local level are in a mutually reinforcing relationship. Finally, I consider the implications of this thesis for liberal theorizing on language rights, arguing that such theory cannot fully come to terms with this political-strategic dimension of language struggles

Resources and Skills for First Nations Libraries

Speech given at the Library Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, 13 June 1994First Nations House of LearningEducation, Faculty ofTeacher EducationPresident's OfficeUnreviewed[This collection comprises a comprehensive sample of Verna Kirkness' speeches dating from 1973 to 2012 being housed at the Xwi7xwa Archives. Kirkness organized most of the materials in sequentially numbered file folders with some loose papers. The materials have not been further organized or analyzed by the Xwi7xwa staff. We hope this incredibly rich collection of works will continue to be a resource in the continuing efforts furthering Indigenous Education.]Facult

Honorary PhD Speech to Graduates

Honorary speech given to Education, Human Ecology and Human and Nutritional Sciences graduates by Verna J. Kirkness, 29 May 2008First Nations House of LearningEducation, Faculty ofTeacher EducationPresident's OfficeUnreviewed[This collection comprises a comprehensive sample of Verna Kirkness' speeches dating from 1973 to 2012 being housed at the Xwi7xwa Archives. Kirkness organized most of the materials in sequentially numbered file folders with some loose papers. The materials have not been further organized or analyzed by the Xwi7xwa staff. We hope this incredibly rich collection of works will continue to be a resource in the continuing efforts furthering Indigenous Education.]Facult

A Vision on the Future of Aboriginal Peoples

Speech given at the Royal Commission on Aboriginals Peoples, Ottawa, July 1993First Nations House of LearningEducation, Faculty ofTeacher EducationPresident's OfficeUnreviewed[This collection comprises a comprehensive sample of Verna Kirkness' speeches dating from 1973 to 2012 being housed at the Xwi7xwa Archives. Kirkness organized most of the materials in sequentially numbered file folders with some loose papers. The materials have not been further organized or analyzed by the Xwi7xwa staff. We hope this incredibly rich collection of works will continue to be a resource in the continuing efforts furthering Indigenous Education.]Facult

Indian Control of Indian Education : Three Decades Later

Speech given at the reunion of the 1974-1975 graduates of the Hamilton Native Teachers Education/Training Program, July 2003First Nations House of LearningEducation, Faculty ofTeacher EducationPresident's OfficeUnreviewed[This collection comprises a comprehensive sample of Verna Kirkness' speeches dating from 1973 to 2012 being housed at the Xwi7xwa Archives. Kirkness organized most of the materials in sequentially numbered file folders with some loose papers. The materials have not been further organized or analyzed by the Xwi7xwa staff. We hope this incredibly rich collection of works will continue to be a resource in the continuing efforts furthering Indigenous Education.]Facult

Empowerment of First Nations through Education

Speech presented at CITEP - Fairbanks, Alaska, March 1989First Nations House of LearningEducation, Faculty ofTeacher EducationPresident's OfficeUnreviewed[This collection comprises a comprehensive sample of Verna Kirkness' speeches dating from 1973 to 2012 being housed at the Xwi7xwa Archives. Kirkness organized most of the materials in sequentially numbered file folders with some loose papers. The materials have not been further organized or analyzed by the Xwi7xwa staff. We hope this incredibly rich collection of works will continue to be a resource in the continuing efforts furthering Indigenous Education.]Facult

Working Together to Save Our Languages

Speech given during Aboriginal Languages Month, 1999First Nations House of LearningEducation, Faculty ofTeacher EducationPresident's OfficeUnreviewed[This collection comprises a comprehensive sample of Verna Kirkness' speeches dating from 1973 to 2012 being housed at the Xwi7xwa Archives. Kirkness organized most of the materials in sequentially numbered file folders with some loose papers. The materials have not been further organized or analyzed by the Xwi7xwa staff. We hope this incredibly rich collection of works will continue to be a resource in the continuing efforts furthering Indigenous Education.]Facult

Tribute to the Late Dr. Chief Simon Baker

Speech, 2001First Nations House of LearningEducation, Faculty ofTeacher EducationPresident's OfficeUnreviewed[This collection comprises a comprehensive sample of Verna Kirkness' speeches dating from 1973 to 2012 being housed at the Xwi7xwa Archives. Kirkness organized most of the materials in sequentially numbered file folders with some loose papers. The materials have not been further organized or analyzed by the Xwi7xwa staff. We hope this incredibly rich collection of works will continue to be a resource in the continuing efforts furthering Indigenous Education.]Facult

Wahbung: Our Tomorrows - 37 Years Later

Speech given at the Manitoba First Nations Education Research Center: Lighting the Fire Conference, 21 May 2008First Nations House of LearningEducation, Faculty ofTeacher EducationPresident's OfficeUnreviewed[This collection comprises a comprehensive sample of Verna Kirkness' speeches dating from 1973 to 2012 being housed at the Xwi7xwa Archives. Kirkness organized most of the materials in sequentially numbered file folders with some loose papers. The materials have not been further organized or analyzed by the Xwi7xwa staff. We hope this incredibly rich collection of works will continue to be a resource in the continuing efforts furthering Indigenous Education.]Facult

Indian Control of Indian Education: Over a Decade Later

Speech presented at the First Annual Conference of the Mokakit Indian Education Research Association, University of Western Ontario, 27 July 1984First Nations House of LearningEducation, Faculty ofTeacher EducationPresident's OfficeUnreviewed[This collection comprises a comprehensive sample of Verna Kirkness' speeches dating from 1973 to 2012 being housed at the Xwi7xwa Archives. Kirkness organized most of the materials in sequentially numbered file folders with some loose papers. The materials have not been further organized or analyzed by the Xwi7xwa staff. We hope this incredibly rich collection of works will continue to be a resource in the continuing efforts furthering Indigenous Education.]Facult