Debates of May 10, 2007 (day 4)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to question the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment regarding our important language and it being taught in the schools. We want to be able to teach our language in our schools. I want to ask him a question regarding that. (Translation ends)

…address my question to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. I would like to, first of all, congratulate the Minister and his department for the recent decision to allow the Athabaskan language communities to work independently on their own language curriculum. While there may be some similarities between the Gwich’in curriculum document and the Dene language curriculum, such a move recognizes distinctive language differences of these language communities, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask a question to Minister Dent. How much time and money was spent on the initial curriculum? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right; it is very important that we have good curricula in all of the regions so that aboriginal languages may be taught. What we were hoping to do is initially have something that worked like Dene Kede. Dene Kede was a framework that was developed and could be used all across the Northwest Territories. Each of the cultural groups filled in different parts of it to make sure that it was appropriate in their areas. We are finding that is not working as well as we had hoped with the curriculum that is being developed in the Gwich’in area, so we are now expanding into other areas. It was always the intention that each language would have to have some work done to develop that individual curriculum to support that language.

I can’t say here today exactly how much has been spent to date, but I can assure the Member that we are intending to work with all of the regions to ensure that there is a curriculum available in all of the regions for all of the languages.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear the Minister is committed to working with other aboriginal language organizations in different respective regions. Mr. Speaker, I would like to continue with my question concerning these distinct and philosophical differences each group expressed in the development of the original curriculum. Is the Minister prepared to provide the same amount of financial support to Athabaskan language communities for the work on the new curriculum? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In order to develop the curriculum for the different language groups we have in the Northwest Territories, it may take more in some areas; it may take less in others. We are prepared, over the next few years, to spend what it takes to develop appropriate curriculum in each region. We have to work within existing budgets, so it may take longer to do in some areas or it may take less time depending on how quickly the work can get done.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when questioned on this issue -- it was addressed during the previous session -- the Minister informed this House all the areas that are part of the curriculum in the Northwest Territories have to receive attention and make sure there is an important curriculum in place. Considering the state of our languages and the rapid rate of language loss, the need for aboriginal language curriculum is urgent. What measures will the Minister take to ensure that the language curriculum is given equal priority to other subjects and funds are found to guarantee its success? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member is aware, we have issued a directive ensuring that all of the DECs and education councils have to deliver aboriginal language and culture according to the directive. We want to see the money spent where it is going to do the most good. We have the same commitment to aboriginal languages as we have to social studies to English to all of the other areas of the curriculum. We are investing in those areas.

Mr. Speaker, one of the other things we’ve done recently is make sure that this year we have a base-funded program to help the college deliver a program for aboriginal language and culture instructors, and those people will also be needed to help us develop the curricula. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, maybe I can throw in another angle. Assuming that the DEAs, the teaching and learning centres, the language communities, have committed to working together to create a language curriculum that fits their needs in the regions, will the Minister at least commit to considering the work plan and suggestions put forth by the Aboriginal Languages Special Advisory Committee? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course we can consider work plans that are brought forward by people who are specialists in that area from the region. It’s important to remember, though, like the development of the Dene Kede which took many years to develop in each of the regions so that it actually works for all of the different cultures in the Northwest Territories, it’s going to take a number of years for us to develop all of the curricula for languages in the North. But we are committed to doing that work and working with people who are experts in that area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.