Yinka Dene Language Institute
Encyclopedia
The Yinka Dene Language Institute (YDLI) is an organization based in Stoney Creek, British Columbia, whose purpose is the study and maintenance of the language and culture of Dakelh
and other First Nations
people in northern British Columbia
.
, the College of New Caledonia
, School District 55 Burns Lake, School District 56 Nechako and School District 28 Quesnel
. The late Mary John, Sr.
was one of the founders of YDLI and was Permanent Honorary Chair until her passing in 2004. Grand Chief Edward John
was instrumental in the founding of YDLI and served as its first president.
The University of Northern British Columbia
joined in 1995, and in 2000, School District 91 Nechako Lakes
, formed by the merger of Districts 55 and 56, withdrew from the Institute.
, the College of New Caledonia
, School District 28
, and the University of Northern British Columbia
.
Dakelh
The Dakelh or Carrier are the indigenous people of a large portion of the Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada.Most Carrier call themselves Dakelh, meaning "people who go around by boat"...
and other First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
people in northern British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
.
History
It was founded in 1988 by the Carrier Sekani Tribal CouncilCarrier Sekani Tribal Council
The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council is a tribal council representing eight First Nations in the Central Interior of British Columbia...
, the College of New Caledonia
College of New Caledonia
The College of New Caledonia is a post-secondary educational institution that serves the residents of the Central Interior of British Columbia. The college was established in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada in 1969 as a successor to the BC Vocational School. The first convocation of 37...
, School District 55 Burns Lake, School District 56 Nechako and School District 28 Quesnel
School District 28 Quesnel
School District 28 Quesnel is a school district in central British Columbia. Most schools are located in Quesnel with one outlying school in Wells, a small community near the historic gold mining town of Barkerville and another school in the community of Nazko which is 100km west of...
. The late Mary John, Sr.
Mary John, Sr.
Mary John, Sr., CM was a leader of the Carrier people of the central interior of British Columbia in Canada. She was known as "Mary John, Sr." to distinguish her from her daughter-in-law, also named Mary John...
was one of the founders of YDLI and was Permanent Honorary Chair until her passing in 2004. Grand Chief Edward John
Edward John
Edward John is a prominent First Nations political leader in Canada. The son of Louis and Amelia John, he was born on July 8, 1949 in the Carrier village of Tache, along the north shore of Stuart Lake, about 60 km from Fort St. James, British Columbia. He holds the name 'Ukailch'oh in the Lusilyoo...
was instrumental in the founding of YDLI and served as its first president.
The University of Northern British Columbia
University of Northern British Columbia
The University of Northern British Columbia is a small, primarily undergraduate university whose main campus is in Prince George, British Columbia. UNBC also has regional campuses in the northern British Columbia cities of Prince Rupert, Terrace, Quesnel, and Fort St. John...
joined in 1995, and in 2000, School District 91 Nechako Lakes
School District 91 Nechako Lakes
School District 91 Nechako Lakes is a school district in British Columbia. It covers the area northwest of Prince George along Highway 16 This includes the major communities of Fort St. James, Vanderhoof and Burns Lake, and Fraser Lake, British Columbia....
, formed by the merger of Districts 55 and 56, withdrew from the Institute.
Governance
YDLI is governed by a board of trustees of whom the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council appoints six, the Elders' Council three, and the other members two each. The current members are the Carrier Sekani Tribal CouncilCarrier Sekani Tribal Council
The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council is a tribal council representing eight First Nations in the Central Interior of British Columbia...
, the College of New Caledonia
College of New Caledonia
The College of New Caledonia is a post-secondary educational institution that serves the residents of the Central Interior of British Columbia. The college was established in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada in 1969 as a successor to the BC Vocational School. The first convocation of 37...
, School District 28
School District 28 Quesnel
School District 28 Quesnel is a school district in central British Columbia. Most schools are located in Quesnel with one outlying school in Wells, a small community near the historic gold mining town of Barkerville and another school in the community of Nazko which is 100km west of...
, and the University of Northern British Columbia
University of Northern British Columbia
The University of Northern British Columbia is a small, primarily undergraduate university whose main campus is in Prince George, British Columbia. UNBC also has regional campuses in the northern British Columbia cities of Prince Rupert, Terrace, Quesnel, and Fort St. John...
.