Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to inform the Members today of the work underway towards a new strategy for supporting the nine official aboriginal languages of the Northwest Territories.
In the late 1990s, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment consulted with communities about developing a long-term plan supporting our Territory’s traditional languages. The strategy, Revitalizing, Enhancing and Promoting Aboriginal Languages: Strategies for Supporting Aboriginal Languages, outlines what the government was doing in support of healthy aboriginal languages in our communities. It was meant as a “living document” and modified as aboriginal language communities continued explaining their needs, defining priorities and taking greater responsibility for achieving their language goals.
In 2008, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment proposed renewing the strategy. The first step in the process was conducting a review of the current strategy, identifying areas where it can be updated and improved. The final report was submitted in November of 2009.
At the end of March, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment hosted the Aboriginal Languages Symposium in Yellowknife. The symposium was a great success, drawing over 200 delegates representing official language
communities, including elders, youth, language speakers, practitioners and other stakeholders.
Over the three days of presentations, meetings and workshops, we heard many good and innovative ideas of how to increase support for our traditional languages. I was impressed by the level of passion and commitment in the room, especially from our elders who inspired us not to forget where we come from. The ideas generated at the symposium will be posted on the Department of Education, Culture and Employment website shortly and will play a key role in shaping the new strategy. I would like to acknowledge Mr. Kevin Menicoche, MLA for Nahendeh and the chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, for co-hosting the symposium with me. Moving forward, we are planning more meetings and will table the final strategy in the fall session of the Legislative Assembly.
Once finished, the new strategy will guide the Government of the Northwest Territories on decisions about policy, priorities and supporting aboriginal languages over the coming years.
I am confident that by continuing working together, we will see more Northerners proudly using the traditional languages of their cultures.
Mr. Speaker, as Minister responsible for languages, I am also very excited to announce that on June 22nd and 23rd, the Government of the Northwest Territories is hosting the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie for the first time. This conference is being co-chaired with the federal Minister for Official Languages, the Honourable James Moore. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.
