SILS 2018 will run over three days, each of which will have a distinct focus and audience:
Day 1 (Thursday June 7): Research. Focus will be on presentation and exchange of academic research on language reclamation, maintenance and revitalization. This day will include keynote addresses by indigenous scholars, followed by parallel sessions in an academic format. The lunch hour will be devoted to a celebration of the 25th anniversary of SILS. The day will end with a poster presentation and reception.
Day 2 (Friday June 8): Instructional skills. Focus will be on promising practices in language learning and teaching toward language reclamation, maintenance and revitalization. This day will include keynote addresses by instructional skills experts, followed by hands-on presentations and activities in language learning and teaching in a workshop format. For out-of-town participants there will be optional excursions in the afternoon. Participants can choose to go to Waterton National Park or Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. The day will end with a screening of the documentary film Making Treaty Seven. Local schools will be invited to attend and designate this day as a PD day for their teaching staff.
Day 3 (Saturday June 9): Community. Focus will be on community-initiated and community-led language documentation and revitalization projects and initiatives. This day will include keynote addresses by community activists, followed by presentations and workshops on topics such as community planning, project design, funding, and curriculum and materials development. This day will end with closing ceremonies including farewell speeches, closing prayers, door prizes, and Symposium evaluations.