Indigenous language reawakening in action

Indigenous language reawakening in Canada requires concrete Action from Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. This coauthored case study describes how a Bachelor of Education (BEd) course at Vancouver Island University (VIU) integrated Hul’q’umi’num’ into a Total Physical Response (TPR) based lesson planning and modeling assignment designed for students at the Grades 5, 6 or 7 level. Writing as an Indigenous language teacher educator and non-Indigenous university educator, we examine two iterations of the same BEd course at VIU: one in 2023 where Hul’q’umi’num’ was optional as part of an assignment and a second in 2024 where it was mandatory. We show how TPR’s embodied, theatrical qualities can support pre-service teachers to practice respectful pronunciation using the Indigenous created FirstVoices audio clips which facilitates joyful language learning through movement, voice, and theatrical play.