Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about the lack of funding for Indigenous languages in the Northwest Territories, and I have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, my question is: does the Minister believe that there is an imbalance in the way Indigenous languages are funded compared to French language in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to be careful how I state this one, because I don't want to start a war between French people and Indigenous people.
There is a difference. There is a difference based on constitutional standing of French in Canada and the rights right across all of the territories and provinces within that. It is one of the two official languages for Canada, so that is recognized. All of the work that we are doing with Indigenous languages is exactly around revitalization because we are losing them. It's a concern of mine. It should be a concern for every Indigenous person in the Northwest Territories and across Canada, and I know it is. It's also my understanding that it's a concern for the federal government, and they are trying to work closely to try to support Indigenous communities, so I am hopeful. I know we are coming up to a new election, but I am really hopeful that the next government will also carry that torch and will promote more to support not only Indigenous people but Indigenous language, because language is culture.
I am not trying to play favourites, or anything like that, but knowing that the new bill that is coming out from the federal government does not really give the federal government obligations to work with Indigenous peoples on a closer basis. Mr. Speaker, last year, the federal government under the current agreement for French-language service and Indigenous languages will be 2019-2020. Mr. Speaker, my question is: has the department started to plan for what it wants to achieve for future generations?
Yes, we are actually planning at this point, now. Right now, we are looking at the money that we got, its impact, how it's used, and the outcomes, and we are using that information as well as working with our community partners to look at the new negotiations that will be coming. We are conscious that there will be an election, though, so we are hopeful that whatever government comes in will support this initiative, as well. We are working closely. We are looking at outcomes, and we are looking for as much support as we can get.
I appreciate the outlook from the Minister. Mr. Speaker, we have a lot of Indigenous languages in the territory. I know that sometimes it can be difficult working with many Indigenous governments. We all need to take ownership when it comes to language and culture. Mr. Speaker, another question about negotiations for federal languages funding: how does the department work with Indigenous language stakeholders when it's working with Canada to develop agreements like this?
This was before my time. It's a great initiative, and I am going to support it right through, is we have regional Indigenous language coordinators in every region, and their responsibility is to work closely with Indigenous governments and to lead and manage their regional Indigenous plans, their language plans. As well, we have the Aboriginal language revitalization boards that we work closely with. Those groups are used to consult with, to give us advice, and to provide their opinions as we go into any kind of negotiations or any kind of programming around Indigenous languages or Indigenous services.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
