Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Many times in this House we have discussed the importance of languages to all northerners. The diversity of official languages recognized in the Northwest Territories makes us unique in Canada.

During March we celebrate the value and importance of languages to our northern life. March is:

Aboriginal Languages Month

March 6th to 20th Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie celebrates Francophone culture

March 20th is International Francophonie Day

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to the support of all our official languages and this is an opportune time to profile some recent activities in this area:

The Official Languages Board and the Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board have been established and the second meeting of both boards is currently taking place.

The first annual report on official languages was released in October 2004.

In August of 2004, the aboriginal languages and culture-based education directive was issued to education authorities across the NWT. This directive clarifies the ways that aboriginal language funding may be used in schools.

To support children’s development of their aboriginal language, 18 language nest programs have been funded.

Dene Kede curriculum for Grade 9 classrooms has been completed and will be made available to NWT classrooms this month.

French first language schooling offered through the Commission Scolaire Francophone de Division has been expanded this year to include Grade 10 at Ecole Alain St. Cyr.

The aboriginal interpreter-translator certification standards for testing in Chipewyan have been completed and the first exams should be administered by this summer.

The aboriginal language communities are completing 47 projects ranging from on-the-land camps to producing a documentary film on elders’ history.

Through Literacy Strategy funding, the aboriginal language communities are completing approximately 28 projects ranging from terminology development to teaching literacy to young mothers.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is committed to supporting all the official languages of the Northwest Territories. The involvement of each of the language communities working in concert and collaboration with the GNWT is essential if we are to protect, maintain and hopefully revitalize language usage. Over the past few years, the renewed emphasis on partnership and collaboration has strengthened our efforts and established a solid path for us to follow in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.