Overview
The Language Committee is a governance body that guides Heritage Lab’s work with Indigenous languages. The committee ensures that our tools and practices align with community values, needs, and protocols.Purpose
The Language Committee serves several key functions:- Governance: Provides oversight and guidance for language-related projects
- Community representation: Ensures community voices are central to decision-making
- Cultural guidance: Provides cultural and linguistic expertise
- Policy development: Helps develop and review policies related to language work
Committee Structure
Membership
The Language Committee is composed of:- Community representatives: Members from partner communities
- Language experts: Linguists, language teachers, and fluent speakers
- Elders: Community elders who provide cultural guidance
- Heritage Lab staff: Designated staff members who facilitate committee work
Roles and Responsibilities
Committee Members
- Attend regular committee meetings
- Review and provide input on language projects
- Guide policy development
- Represent community interests and values
- Review and approve language materials and tools
Committee Chair
- Facilitates committee meetings
- Coordinates with Heritage Lab staff
- Ensures committee decisions are implemented
- Serves as a liaison between the committee and Heritage Lab
Heritage Lab Staff Liaison
- Provides technical and administrative support
- Implements committee decisions
- Facilitates communication between the committee and project teams
- Maintains records of committee activities
Decision-Making Process
Consensus-Based
- The committee strives for consensus in decision-making
- All members have equal voice in discussions
- Decisions respect community protocols and values
Meeting Structure
- Regular meetings: The committee meets on a regular schedule (e.g., monthly or quarterly)
- Special meetings: Additional meetings can be called as needed
- Meeting format: Meetings can be in-person, virtual, or hybrid to accommodate members
Documentation
- Meeting minutes are maintained and shared with committee members
- Decisions are documented and communicated to relevant stakeholders
- Records are maintained according to our data retention policy
Areas of Oversight
The Language Committee provides guidance on:Project Development
- New language tool development
- Project priorities and resource allocation
- Community engagement strategies
- Technical approaches and methodologies
Policy and Governance
- Data sovereignty policies
- Data retention and deletion policies
- Community engagement protocols
- Cultural protocols and practices
Quality and Standards
- Language material quality
- Cultural appropriateness
- Accessibility and usability
- Community impact assessment
Community Engagement
Representation
- Committee membership reflects the diversity of partner communities
- Efforts are made to ensure geographic and linguistic representation
- Community members are supported in their participation
Communication
- Committee activities are communicated to partner communities
- Communities can provide input through committee members or direct communication
- Regular updates are provided on committee decisions and activities
Getting Involved
If you’re interested in learning more about the Language Committee or participating in its work, please contact us.Learn More
See our guides for communities to learn how you can adapt this structure for your own community.