Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to speak in regard to the revitalization of languages and the language groups that aren’t classified as critically endangered, like the Gwich’in language and Inuvialuktun. I think we do have to take immediate action. I think we have to take giant steps to get there. I think one of the immediate things that we can establish is an action plan to deal with the Gwich’in Revitalization Program. I’d like to ask the Minister what we are doing to work with those groups that find themselves in the situation that their language is classified as critical or endangered so that we can implement some action plans immediately.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I think that’s the very reason why we’re here today producing this package. It has over 70 recommendations. We have done some work with respect to preserving our language and revitalizing our language. We have programs that have been implemented, the ALCIP program. I think we need to do more. Part of the documentation that is going to be provided speaks to immersion programming, elders in schools, specialists in schools on our language, teachers that speak the language. We need to produce those important people, the resources. We have done some work in that area but we’ll continue to do more, especially with a plan that will be before us for the next few years. Definitely we want to make it a successful project.
I believe it is critical that we do have some sort of central language development institute of some sort in the Northwest Territories. When you talk about aboriginal language it’s more than a language learning program, it’s also looking at the whole area of translating services, training services for language teachers and instructors in those language programs. I think it’s essential that whatever programs and services we do deliver are useable. That is one of the downfalls that you see of a lot of languages. You can see the strong language groups in the Northwest Territories such as the Tlicho or the Slavey in the different regions. It is because they use their language on a day-to-day basis. That is one of the critical downfalls of the languages, pressures that a lot of these language groups are under. I’d like to ask the Minister what we are doing to revitalize the language groups and impress on the importance of using those languages.
I’d like to focus on what we are going to be doing with the new package. We had the Language Institute here this past summer. That’s part of the strategy that’s been highlighted, that we need to deliver more language programming into the region and the communities to the people. That’s what we’re doing. Not only that, but it also captures Dene fonts onto our computers throughout the system, integrated language curriculum and immersion programming. Those are the key factors that are within the package.
I think, as we move forward, most of the concerns and discussions that were brought forward over the years by Assembly Members will be captured in this document and utilize community expertise such as elders and language specialists. We need their guidance and support. We also need the support of the Regular Members to make it a very successful project. We’ll continue to do so.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
