Today, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pablo Rodriguez, announced the Government of Canada's investment of $17,700,000 over three years (2021-22 to 2023-24) through the Canada-Northwest Territories Agreement on Indigenous Languages.
The Government of Canada and the Northwest Territories recognize the importance of Canada's sustained support for the efforts of Indigenous Peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages. The Canada-Northwest Territories Agreement on Indigenous Languages is an important agreement that maintains a collaborative framework between Canada and the Northwest Territories to support the revitalization of Indigenous languages in the Northwest Territories.
The funds will allow for an increase in the number of Indigenous-language resources available in the Northwest Territories. Courses in Indigenous languages will increase, as will the number of participants enrolled in learning these languages.
Indigenous languages are at the heart of First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture, identity and self-determination. They are used to share history through storytelling, to connect with the natural environment and to create familial bonds. With the help of initiatives like these, Indigenous people are reclaiming their languages and cultural knowledge, and continuing to use them as an authentic and powerful tool to share their own stories, in their own words.
