Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment’s official languages division has been hard at work on three important projects: the Aboriginal Languages Plan, the Aboriginal Languages Summer Institute, and the Strategic Plan on French Language.
In October 2010, the Government of the Northwest Territories tabled its strategic document, “Northwest Territories Aboriginal Languages Plan – A Shared Responsibility.”
The plan outlines how the government, non-government organizations, and Northerners will work together to strengthen Aboriginal language use. In addition, it includes the views of Aboriginal language communities regarding specific actions required to address the particular characteristics with their specific language group.
The plan is framed over a 10-year period. It is intended to help guide decisions related to policy, priorities, and support for Aboriginal languages. The plan will also help guide the language communities with their specific activities and direction.
A number of actions identified in the plan are already underway. Some of these include: funding language “tool kits” development or identified learning materials; analyzing and evaluating current language funding distribution methodology; initiating a feasibility study to establish an Aboriginal Languages Secretariat; and publishing the annual report on Aboriginal language activities across the NWT.
Further to this plan, Mr. Speaker, the Aboriginal Languages Summer Institute recently completed its second year of courses. The pilot language institute
enables participants to enhance their current language skills and enhance their capacity to plan and develop language preservation and revitalization, strategies, programs, and resource materials.
The 2011 language institute was held from July 11 to 23 in Yellowknife at the Aurora College facility. All 20 participants, representing official Aboriginal languages, successfully completed the courses. There are further discussions with the University of Victoria to deliver another two-week course later this year. It is hoped to deliver programs through the language institute as a regular language revitalization program.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories drafted a Strategic Plan on French Language Communications and Services to improve communications and services delivery to the public in French across the government. Representation of the Federation Franco-TeNOise are discussing the draft plan and we anticipate completion in the coming months.
The plan outlines three broad frameworks for implementation: legislative and regulatory, administrative and operational. It also includes establishing a Francophone Affairs Secretariat.
The Francophone Affairs Secretariat is a central support agency to deliver French language communications and services by government departments, boards, and agencies. The secretariat also coordinates government-wide provision of French translation services and manages Services TNO, the government’s single-window for French language services.
The operation of the secretariat will start this fall. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.
