The Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories have signed a new Canada-Northwest Territories Agreement on Indigenous Languages from 2024-25 to 2026-27.
Under the new agreement, $5.9 million will be invested per fiscal year, for a total of $17.7 million over three years.
Caitlin Cleveland is the NWT’s minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
“This funding will help bring Indigenous languages into classrooms, organizations, workplaces and communities over the coming years,” she stated in a release.
Minister Caitlin Cleveland, left, Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty and NWT MP Michael McLeod participate in a tea dance last Friday in Behchokǫ̀. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
“Through our collective commitment and sustained funding for language revitalization and language access, we will continue to work with Indigenous people and governments to ensure Indigenous languages are protected, promoted and celebrated.”
The funding is provided to Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, education bodies, communications societies and community radio stations to support their Indigenous language programs and initiatives.
The agreement targets language learning and development, community cultural programs and resources, Indigenous media and broadcasting and Indigenous governments affirming their right to lead and manage their own language revitalization efforts.
Michael McLeod is the NWT’s Member of Parliament.
“Indigenous languages are essential to the strength and unity of communities in the Northwest Territories,” he stated.
“This renewed funding agreement will allow for the continuation of essential work in revitalizing these languages, which are vital to the identity and heritage of our people. By doing so, we ensure that Indigenous voices are heard, taught and seen within the Northwest Territories.”
Approximately $4.9 million of the funding per fiscal year will go directly to Indigenous governments to support the development of Indigenous language plans and community-based revitalization programs.
The Northwest Territories has 11 official languages: Dene Kǝdǝ́, Dëne Sųłıné, Dene Zhatıé, Dinjii Zhuʼ Ginjik, English, French, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, nēhiyawēwin and Tłı̨chǫ.
