معرفی
Marianne Ignace is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Indigenous Studies and Department of Linguistics at Simon Fraser University (SFU), with a joint appointment. She holds a PhD in Anthropology from SFU and an MA in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Göttingen. Her research focuses on Indigenous knowledge systems, particularly among the Secwepemc (Shuswap) people of the Plateau, emphasizing land use, ethnobotany, traditional ecological knowledge, and language revitalization. She directs the First Nations Language Centre and Indigenous Languages Program at SFU.
- Education: PhD (Anthropology, SFU), MA (Cultural Anthropology, University of Göttingen)
Her work bridges anthropology, linguistics, and applied research, collaborating with First Nations communities to document languages like Secwepemctsin, St’at’imcets, Haida, and Sm’algyax. Key research areas include Secwepemc oral histories, Indigenous legal frameworks, and the intersection of language, environment, and cultural heritage. She has authored/co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, including monographs like Secwepemc People, Land and Laws (2017) and contributed to language revitalization projects such as the Tlli7sa Secwepemc Story App.
Dr. Ignace has received numerous awards, including the 2019 Governor General’s Innovation Award for her transformative work in Indigenous language and cultural preservation. She teaches courses on Indigenous ethnobotany, linguistics, and language pedagogy, integrating community-based and digital approaches.
- Awards: 2019 Governor General’s Innovation Award, 2018 BC Book Prize Finalist, 2005 CUFA BC Career Achievement Award
Her advising and grants work includes partnerships with the Secwepemc Cultural Education Society and communities like Skeetchestn, focusing on language immersion programs, cultural impact assessments, and expert witness reports on Indigenous rights. She leads initiatives like the First Nations Language Platform, advancing digital tools for endangered language preservation.
