Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to speak about the affect of languages in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, the aboriginal language groups I represent, especially the Gwich’in, whose language is presently classified as critical, Mr. Speaker, we are now down to 228 language speakers, the majority of them over the age of 60. Mr. Speaker, I think it’s a critical time in the life of not only our government, but protection of our language, culture and the importance that all our language groups play in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important that we not only look at the ability to speak a language but also the ability to use the language on a day-to-day basis regardless if it’s at home, regardless if it’s at work, regardless if it’s talking in a public forum such as this.
Mr. Speaker, I think the importance of the Gwich’in Revitalization Program that has been developed shows you that the Gwich’in speakers, the language groups and the local language societies are doing their part to try to revitalize this language, which is presently classified as critical. We’re also using the term “endangered.” I think it’s important, Mr. Speaker, that we have to do everything that we can to not only make sure that we make the capital investments in these areas that they’re needed but, more importantly, protect the languages and give them the similar protections we allow for the French in the Northwest Territories so that they can feel free to use the language in the workforce, so that they can have service clinics in the preferred language groups in the areas that they operate out of.
I think, Mr. Speaker, we have to not only include it in the schools but also offer the opportunity for residents, regardless if they’re Gwich’in or non-Gwich’in, to have the ability to have offered immersion programs so that they can be taught the language that Billy is speaking and, more importantly, understand the language and culture of those groups and the regions they come from.
The final point is, we have to increase the use of the Gwich’in language in the public forums, at public meetings and in public events. I will be asking the Minister of Education questions on this matter later.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
