BA/BS in Indigenous Language Proficiency

The Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency (CINLP) is offered by the Department of Linguistics in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Simon Fraser University. It is intended for students who want to acquire conversational and literacy skills in a specific Indigenous language, to teach that language in schools, or to strengthen their language ability for cultural or professional reasons. The certificate consists of 27 units, of which at least 12 must be earned in courses in the Indigenous language itself, with the remaining units drawn from related linguistics and language-teaching coursework. It can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, giving students flexibility to balance study with other commitments. The program is delivered in-community only, requiring a prior agreement between Simon Fraser University and the community or Indigenous-language authority involved, rather than through standard on-campus enrolment. Graduates gain a recognized credential in Indigenous language proficiency that can lead to teaching roles or further academic study, including the Indigenous Languages minor within a Bachelor of Arts degree.