Mr. Speaker, today I will speak about the ongoing issue of Dene fonts. With the fast pace of computer technology and the loss of the ability to convert and print existing Dene language documents, aboriginal language communities have difficulty producing new resource documents, because the Dene fonts are not compatible with present-day software.
The Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute as well as the government urgently need Dene fonts incorporated into the Unicode system. That way, everyone who opens any computer program can read and write documents with the Dene language and with the appropriate spelling.
Mr. Speaker, we are running out of time. This government urgently needs to deal with the technical problems and create solutions to solving this problem.
With the government seriously stating their support for aboriginal languages, it needs to demonstrate action by helping to maintain and revitalize our Dene languages. The time of lip service is over. If we want to save our cultural heritage and Dene languages, we have to do it now.
The Dene font issue goes back some time. In 2003 a Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act included recommendations with regard to Dene fonts in its final report — and I was a member of that committee.
The Gwich’in cultural institute is recognized for its quality work and its dedication to saving and revitalizing the Gwich’in language. The institution has made appeals and recommendations, providing names of experts to assist the government with creating Dene fonts with compatible, up-to-date technology, but with no response.
The Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute had hoped that finally something would be done during this week, in which a meeting was scheduled for yesterday and today, and were dismayed this government had cancelled that meeting until later on in the summer. This would have included government experts and regional aboriginal language coordinators.
These groups are very disheartened to see the government back off again with this commitment.
Officials are trying to reschedule a meeting….
Mr. Krutko, your time for the Member’s statement has expired.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.
Again, this shows how we end up year after year talking about an issue and saying, “Yes, it is important,” but at the end of it all you have nothing to show of success, achievement or results on these matters.
In the meantime, every day, technology keeps changing, and outdated existing Dene fonts become almost impossible for community organizations to use to develop resource materials.
I will be asking questions of the Minister responsible for official languages at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.
