Tlingit Family Learning Centre
Q & A with Midori Kirby, spokesperson
The Taku River Tlingit First Nation people in northern British Columbia have a special relationship with their land. Their environmental and cultural value system stems from a deep-rooted understanding of a reciprocal interdependency with all life forms.
The Tlingit Family Learning Centre offers Taku River Tlingit families child care, an after-school culture and language program, language classes taught by elders, employment counseling and training. It also serves as the hub for 
conservation and sustainable economic development projects within the Taku River Watershed, the largest unprotected and pristine watershed in western North America.
Since 2000, Tides Canada has been supporting the Taku River Tlingit First Nation’s efforts to protect its aboriginal rights and title and its traditional territory and culture.
What is the ultimate objective of the Family Learning Centre?
To incorporate the Tlingit language and culture so that our children gain a strong sense of their Tlingit identity.
How long has the centre been doing this?
TFLC has been promoting and supporting Tlingit traditions and teachings to our children for decade or so.
How has Tides Canada benefited your work?
The Tlingit way of life is strongly connected to the mother earth. Our elders teach us to respect and sustain our land for our future generations. This is an enormous challenge that would be bigger without support from Tides.
What are the great stories from your programs?
I literally see the children’s spirits glowing. They say: "We can’t throw garbage because grandpa is watching us." The children are very knowledgeable about the land, vegetation, and medicines from the mother earth as well as about the salmon and their habitat. This knowledge needs to be preserved and passed on.
