Land and Language

The First Nation School Board’s Land and Language approach brings together Yukon First Nation languages, cultures, and ways of learning to create meaningful educational experiences for Learners.

What is Land and Language?

Grounded in the understanding that language, culture, identity, and connection to the Land are deeply interconnected, our work supports Learners on the land, in their communities, using traditional teachings from First Nations Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

Land and Language programming is unique to each school and reflects the language, culture, history, and traditions of the Yukon First Nation on whose territory FNSB schools are located.

Through strong partnerships with First Nations and communities, Learners are provided opportunities to strengthen cultural identity, improve learning outcomes, and develop a deeper sense of belonging.

Language Revitalization

Revitalizing Yukon First Nations’ languages through classroom instruction, language resources, and community-based learning opportunities.

Building Strong
Community Partnerships

Ensuring that programming reflects local priorities by working closely with Yukon First Nations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, families, and community organizations

Land-Based Learning

Creating on-the-land learning opportunities through cultural activities, traditional teachings, and hands-on experiences that connect learning to place.

Professional Learning
and Capacity Building

Helping Educators and school staff incorporate local Yukon First Nations’ languages, cultures, and ways of knowing into daily teaching practices

Cultural Inclusion

Embedding Yukon First Nations’ histories, cultures, values, and perspectives in Learning environments, curriculum and daily learning experiences.

Resource and
Curriculum Development

Developing culturally relevant resources, learning tools, and curriculum supports that bring Yukon First Nations’ languages and cultures into the classroom

Land and Language Connectors

Land and Language Connectors support FNSB schools by integrating Yukon First Nation language and culture, and ways of knowing into Learners’ educational experiences.

They ensure Yukon First Nations’ ways remain a vibrant part of Education by working collaboratively with school staff, Yukon First Nations’ education teams, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and community members.

By connecting Learners and Educators to the Land, Land and Language Connectors help ensure Yukon First Nations’ knowledge, languages, and cultural practices remain a vibrant part of education.

Land and Language Connectors help by …

  • Supporting Educators and administrators with language and cultural inclusion

  • Planning and delivering land-based, cultural, and language programming

  • Supporting Youth and Elder culture camps and community learning experiences

  • Creating learning environments that reflect local
    Yukon First Nations’ territories and cultures

  • Advocating for meaningful community involvement in schools

Language Coach

The Language Coach provides leadership, mentorship, and support for Yukon First Nation language programming across First Nation School Board schools.

Working closely with language Educators, Yukon First Nations, and educational partners, the Language Coach helps strengthen language teaching practices and advance language revitalization efforts.

Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to language revitalization, the Language Coach helps ensure Yukon First Nation languages continue to thrive for future generations.

The Language Coach helps by …

  • Coaching and mentoring language Educators

  • Helping to develop language-teaching strategies and lesson planning

  • Leading development, implementation, and evaluation of language programming

  • Promoting effective language revitalization models and practices

  • Building long-term capacity for language learning and revitalization within schools and communities

The Land-Based Coach

The Land-Based Coach supports schools and Educators by removing barriers to getting Learners out on the land.

The Land-Based Coach also provides individualized coaching and mentorship to educators, helping them learn how to engage with the land in a safe, respectful, and meaningful way.

Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to language revitalization, the Language Coach helps ensure Yukon First Nation languages continue to thrive for future generations.

The Land-Based Coach helps by…

  • Reviewing and approving complex field trips

  • Planning and developing outdoor safety measures and user-friendly risk management systems

  • Ensuring schools have the necessary outdoor equipment and training

  • Developing experiential education kits to support Educators on the land

  • Developing practical resources for Educators to enrich land-based learning experiences for Learners