Nisg̱a'a Language Fluency (BA Program)

The Bachelor of Arts, Nisg̱a'a Language Fluency degree provides an immersive education in the Nisg̱a'a language, intended to create new Nisg̱a'a language speakers. The fundamental pedagogical approach is to offer as much Nisg̱a'a language instruction as possible, as early as possible. The program is offered in a manner that recognizes that learners, knowledge keepers, and their communities as a whole benefit from, and contribute to, the (re)development of Nisg̱a'a language fluency.

Students are required to complete 120 credit hours including a minimum of 60 credit hours of upper-division coursework. 84 credit hours (including 36 credit hours at the upper level) consists of courses with a Nisg̱a'a language component.

For the purpose of the Bachelor of Arts, Nisg̱a'a Language Fluency, all courses with Nisg̱a'a language, history and/or culture from the following areas are considered:

  • Anthropology
  • Arts
  • Biology (Ethnobotany)
  • First Nations Studies
  • History

During the first year of the degree students take the following courses:

Learning Strategies
Research Writing
     or Writing and Communication Skills
Nisg̱a'a Language: Level 1
Nisg̱a'a Language: Level 2
Nisg̱a'a Language Immersion: Level 1
Nisg̱a'a Oral Culture Level 1
Nisg̱a'a Culture: Level 1
Nisg̱a'a Culture: Level 2
Nisg̱a'a Language Immersion: Level 2
Nisg̱a'a Oral Culture Level 2

During the second year of the degree students take the following courses:

Computer Applications
    or 3 credits of Mathematics at any level
Introduction to Linguistics
Nisg̱a'a Language: Level 3
Nisg̱a'a Language: Level 4
Nisg̱a'a Culture: Level 3
Nisg̱a'a Culture: Level 4
Nisg̱a'a Language Immersion: Level 3
Nisg̱a'a Language Immersion: Level 4

Subject Requirement
Six additional credit hours of electives at any level; it is recommended that these be taken in the second year.
During the third year of the degree students take the following courses:

Ethnobotany
Research Methods in First Nations Studies
Lisims Anadromous Summer and Fall Fisheries in Nisg̱a'a Culture and History
The Spring Anadromous Fisheries of Lisims in Nisg̱a'a Culture and History
The Structure of a First Nations Language
First Nations Advanced Composition and Conversation: Level 1
First Nations Advanced Composition and Conversation: Level 2
Advanced First Nations Language Immersion
First Nations Language Mentoring

And one of the following courses:

Art and Material Culture of BC First Nations
First Nations Health and Healing
First Nations Religion and Philosophy
Indigenous Environmental Philosophy
Seminar in First Nations Studies

During the fourth year of the degree students take the following courses:

Community-Based Research Project
Developing Language Materials
First Nations Songs and Poetry
First Nations Speeches and Stories
A Study of a First Nations Language Family and Its Linguistic Relatives
Oral History

And two of the following courses:

Advanced Topics in First Nations Art and Material Culture
Internship in First Nations Studies
Senior Project in First Nations Studies
Special Topics in First Nations Studies


Updated: June 26, 2024