Language is a part of culture, defines identity, and plays a central role in the transmission of knowledge, values and traditions. This is why we recognize the importance of supporting the significant efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages.
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, travelled to Kahnawà:ke to meet with band council members and tour the Nation's new multidisciplinary cultural center.
This welcoming cultural space, which includes a performance hall and a museum, will enable several organizations to offer their activities there in the future. The Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center, which has been helping preserve and revitalize the Kanien'kéha language for almost 50 years, is one of the organizations that will enrich the programming at the Center.
An investment of $2.5 million has been made in the construction of the Kahnawà:ke Cultural Arts Center. Provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, this funding has also made it possible to acquire specialized equipment that makes the performance and creation spaces even more adapted and ready to receive a multitude of artists
The Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center also receives support from the Indigenous Languages Program, totalling approximately $700,000 over five years (2023-2028), to support the teaching of Kanien'kéha.
This funding will enable the Mohawk Nation to continue its efforts to reclaim, protect, maintain and revitalize its language.
