DR. TRUDIE ABERDEEN

University of Alberta

Official multiculturalism without official multilingualism: The relationship between status and funding

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Recent arrivals to Canada have always been concerned with sharing their language and culture with their children. The field of heritage language education has existed in Canada for well over 100 years. While once hidden in church basements and around kitchen tables, the Bilingual and Bicultural Commission brought recognition to these schools through opportunities for support, recognition, and funding. One such benefit was the creation of the International and Heritage Languages Association in 1977. This now internationally-recognized umbrella organization was created by heritage language schools themselves to offer support and expertise to one another. However, since the early days of  “Official Bilingualism through a Multicultural Framework” heritage language education has since been at the crossroads of the several federal and provincial ministries including culture, immigration, and education. While seemingly belonging everywhere, yet being the responsibility of none, heritage language schools have faced insecurities in financial and professional support and struggled for sustainability. This paper will identify policies which have impacted heritage language schools and will make recommendations for future school sustainability. 

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Trudie Aberdeen is a long-term educator in the fields of French Immersion, English as a second language, and heritage language education. She currently teaches French Immersion at Light of Christ Catholic School in Lac La Biche, Vietnamese at Truong Lac Hong School, and preservice teachers as a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta. She is currently the coordinator of the International and Heritage Languages Association. Her doctoral dissertation, Understanding heritage language schools in Alberta, was published in 2016 and explores how heritage language schools operate in the province.