Preserving and Strengthening an Indigenous Language in British Columbia
News release
British Columbia, September 9, 2019
The Government of Canada and Nisga’a Lisims Government are pleased to announce an agreement to support the Nisga’a Nation’s efforts to revitalize its language.
The Government of Canada will invest up to $6 million over six years to fund Nisga’a Lisims Government’s language revitalization plan. The plan was established based on Nisg̱a’a Nation priorities, and includes gathering and collecting information on Nisga’a language, culture and traditional practices, all of which will assist Nisg̱a’a Nation efforts to maintain and strengthen the Nisg̱a’a language within the Nation.
In June 2019, the Indigenous Languages Act was granted Royal Assent. Section 10 of the Act provides the flexibility for the Government of Canada and an Indigenous group or government to enter into an agreement or arrangement, or to work through existing treaty relationships to revitalize and strengthen an Indigenous language.
The Nisga'a Nation, located in British Columbia, currently faces a rapidly diminishing number of fluent Nisg̱a’a language speakers resulting in a loss of their culture and traditional practices.
Quotes
“Our government recognizes the significance of language to Indigenous Peoples’ identity and culture. Over the past two years, we have worked with Indigenous Peoples to support them in reclaiming, revitalizing, maintaining and strengthening Indigenous languages. The granting of Royal Assent to the Indigenous Languages Act was an important step in the right direction. Now we continue to take concrete actions to ensure Indigenous languages remain alive and well.”
—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
“We are very delighted by this multi-year funding commitment from Canada for the revitalization of Nisg̱a’a language, culture and traditional practices. It is a positive step in the right direction and truly demonstrates Canada’s commitment to work with the Nisg̱a’a Nation on a government-to-government basis consistent with the Nisg̱a’a Treaty.”
—Eva Clayton, President, Nisga'a Lisims Government
Quick facts
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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages. According to UNESCO, three out of four of the 90 Indigenous languages in Canada are considered endangered.
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In 2016, only about 15.6 percent of Indigenous people in Canada could converse in an Indigenous language, down from 17 percent in 2011 and 21 percent in 2006.
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On June 21, 2019, the Governor General of Canada granted Royal Assent to the Indigenous Languages Act. Since 2017, Canadian Heritage has worked with national Indigenous organizations to develop this historic legislation.
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Budget 2019 committed $333.7 million over five years, starting in 2019–2020, and $115.7 million per year ongoing to support the implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act.
Associated links
Contacts
For more information (media only), please contact:
Simon Ross
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Multiculturalism
819-997-7788
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca
Nisga’a Lisims Government
250-633-3000
1-866-633-0888
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