Building your career involves more than taking academic courses. Complement your studies with relevant experiences. Whether you choose one of the experiences below that are particularly suited for First Nations and Endangered Languages students, or one of the many other great opportunities available, you’ll learn new things, make new friends, network, and set yourself apart. It all counts.
Community Engagement and Collaboration
Many courses in the First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL) program offer opportunities to engage with communities and participate in active collaborations in partnership with First Nations communities. FNEL has strong connections with local Indigenous communities and organizations, and is also involved with international scholarly partnerships around Indigenous language reclamation, resurgence and revitalization.
Our methodology courses explore the processes and protocols for the documentation, conservation, revitalization, and reclamation of endangered languages, cultures, and Indigenous knowledge systems, locally, regionally and internationally.
Through a Directed Research course, students can participate in a sustained Mentor-Apprentice relationship with a fluent speaker of an endangered language of their choice, with the goal of enhancing oral fluency in that language.
Alumni Profiles
Our alumni are making important contributions to communities across the world. Here are some testimonials that they have shared about their experiences in our program.
Career Possibilities
A degree in First Nations and Endangered Languages prepares students for careers and advanced study that involve ethical collaborations with Indigenous communities across all sectors of government, non-profit organizations and foundations, and cultural and educational institutions.
Alumni of the First Nations and Endangered Languages Program can be found in a range of exciting and fulfilling professions. The skills learned through the program help prepare a graduate to work in the following professions. Please note that the job categories listed below derive from the Government of Canada’s National Occupational Classification and Classification of Instructional Programs lists.
- Community-based researcher
- Community development worker
- Community program coordinator
- Community-university liaison
- Community services employee
- Community support worker
- Grant writer
- Youth worker
- Education resource specialist
- Indigenous education specialist
- Language teacher
- Multiculturalism educator
- Archaeological fieldworker
- Arts and heritage advisor
- Cultural artifact specialist
- Cultural resource manager
- Museum curator
- Language archivist
- Lexicographer
- Student/academic advisor
- University-based researcher
- Arts advocate
- Art conservator/technician
- Documentary writer/director/producer
- Grant Writer
- Media consultant
- Employment equity officer
- Environmental assessment officer
- Impact assessment officer
- Indigenous Affairs employee
- Public policy analyst
- Resource management specialist
- Tourism consultant
- Translator or Interpreter
- Public administration
- Public library assistant
Academic Next Steps
Students who graduate from our program and are seeking opportunities for further study may choose to pursue MA or PhD programs in a number of different directions. We encourage all of our students to come and discuss their interests and professional goals with our faculty so that we can offer specific advice and guidance.
