Ottawa commits $39.4 million to support indigenous languages ​​in the north

Detta, Northwest –

The federal government has said it is investing $39.4 million to support indigenous languages ​​in the territory.

Funds go to communities, organizations and governments to restore, revitalize, sustain and enhance the language.

Northwest Territories Member of Parliament Michael McLeod announced funding for the Yellowknife Dean First Nations community in Detta on behalf of the Canadian Heritage Minister.

According to First Nation, the funding will help produce lesson plans, books, videos and reference materials for the Wiilideh language, as well as providing language and culture classes and camps.

The federal government says it has invested a total of $77.2 million to support indigenous languages ​​in the north since 2019.

More than 70 indigenous languages ​​are spoken in Canada, many of which are endangered.

Ndilo’s Fred Sanglis, Yellowknife Dane First Nations chief, said the boarding school had a dramatic impact as students no longer spoke their traditional languages.

“We just stick to our language with threads,” he said.

“Without language, identity is lost.”

Dettah chief Edward Sangris says revitalizing Wiilideh is important as there are few speakers left and some elders struggle with English.

“Older people feel that they are missing someone to talk to in their language, so they are trying to fix that,” he said.

“Our vision for the future is to have a vibrant language in our community.”

Edward Sangris said one of the hurdles is that Wiiliideh is not one of the NWT’s 11 official languages, nine of which are indigenous languages.

McLeod, who attended boarding school, said he has a firsthand understanding of the intergenerational impact of the colonial system on the languages, cultures and identities of indigenous peoples.

He said the funds to support indigenous languages ​​are part of federal reconciliation efforts.

This report by the Canadian Press was first published on November 25, 2022.

This article was produced with financial support from the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.