Theses
1979 Dogrib questions and topicalization. Forum paper, MA, University of Toronto. Supervisor: Dr Elizabeth Cowper.
1986 The syntax of pronouns in Dogrib (Athapaskan): Some theoretical consequences. Doctoral dissertation, University of California, San Diego. Supervisor: Dr Sandra Chung.
Academic positions
1984-1991 Lecturer, Assistant professor. Department of Linguistics, Memorial University of Newfoundland
1991-1994 Assistant professor, Department of Linguistics, University of Victoria
1994-2012 Associate professor, Department of Linguistics, University of Victoria
2012-2020 Professor, Department of Linguistics, University of Victoria
2020- Emeritus professor, Department of Linguistics, University of Victoria
Research recognition and awards
2014 Craigdarroch Award for Excellence in Knowledge Mobilization, University of Victoria.
2017 Life membership, Society for the Study of the Indigenous Languages of the Americas.
2021 Festschrift presented by UVic Linguistics Students: Working Papers of the Linguistics Circle of the University of Victoria, Volume 31. Edited by Junyu Wu and Martin Desmarais.
1990-1993 SSHRC Standard Research Grant: Crosslinguistic study of the syntax and semantics of pronouns. Principal investigator. This grant supported the production of a variety of research papers as its main contributions.
1994-1997 SSHRC Standard Research Grant: Dogrib lexical studies. Principal investigator. This grant supported the development of the 1996 dictionary of the Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib) language and associated database, and included database workshops for UVic and Dogrib Divisional Board of Education (Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency) staff.
2003-2007 SSHRC Standard Research Grant: Dogrib textual studies. Principal investigator. This grant principally supported the development of the Tłı̨chǫ literacy textbook, workshops on research methods and Tłı̨chǫ literacy, and employment for a Tłı̨chǫ community member whose work led ultimately to the development of the Tłı̨chǫ Cultural Commons Digital Archives.
2003-2004 SSHRC Conference Grant: Workshop on Structure and Constituency in the Languages of the Americas, 2004.
2004-2005 SSHRC Conference Grant: Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium, 2005.
2011-2014 Volkswagen Stiftung Documentation of Endangered Languages grant: Language, music and place: Building a foundation for governance in Délįnę, Northwest Territories, Canada. Co-applicant; principal investigator Keren Rice.
2013-2014 SSHRC Connections Grant: Phonetic Building Blocks of Speech. Co-applicant; principal investigator Alexandra D’Arcy.
2015-2016 SSHRC Connections Grant: Language in the Present, 2015. Co-applicant; principal investigator Heather Bliss.
2018-2022 SSHRC Partnership Development Grant: Délı̨nę Gonáoweré Gogodí: Conversing with Community, Land, and Creator. Principal investigator; co-investigators Fibbie Tatti, Keren Rice; postdoctoral researcher Jasmine Spencer.
Administrative positions
Chair, Northern Studies Group, University of Victoria, 1994-1998, 2003-2005
Graduate Advisor, Department of Linguistics, University of Victoria, 1991-1992 (acting), 1998-2001, 2002-2003
Chair, Department of Linguistics, University of Victoria, 2003-2008
Academic Advisor, Certificate Program in Aboriginal Language Revitalization, University of Victoria, 2004-2005, 2007-2008, 2011-2016, 2019-2020
Elected positions
President, Society for the Study of the Indigenous Languages of the Americas, 2007
President, Canadian Linguistic Association | Association canadienne de linguistique, 2013-2015