Introduction
Who is this guide for?
- First Nations rights holders, language experts, and language entities (organizations) wishing to initiate or develop Indigenous-led language revitalization activities.
- These activities can take place at the community, regional, or national level and may include partnerships across multiple government jurisdictions.
Objective of the Guide
To learn how to use the federal Indigenous Languages Act (Bill C-91) to support your efforts in the reclamation, revitalization, preservation, and strengthening of First Nations languages.
Section 1 – History
Context
- Over generations, assimilationist policies and practices have had a significant impact on language loss and the intergenerational transmission of First Nations languages and cultures.
- First Nations languages are an integral part of our identity and a key aspect of our self-determination.
- There is an extreme urgency to restore fluency in First Nations languages.
Why is legislation important for First Nations?
- It affirms that Indigenous languages are a constitutional right under Section 35.
- It recognizes the harms done by governments to languages and cultures due to assimilationist laws and policies.
- It commits the government to providing adequate, sustainable, and long-term funding for language revitalization.
- It creates the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages.
Joint Development
The process is ongoing:
- Usually, the Act defines general legal and policy principles.
- Regulations and policies specify how the intent of the Act is to be implemented.
This means that the joint development of regulations offers new opportunities to influence the implementation of the Act, including:
- Responding to funding and process needs;
- Developing regulations;
- Creating the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages;
- Accommodation strategies regarding various disabilities;
- Federal services in Indigenous languages through translation and interpretation services;
- Identifying federal laws, policies, programs, and services affected by the Act;
- Developing an approach to ensure support from all levels of government;
- Annual reports and legislative review requirements.
Section 2 – What does the law mean for you?
Purpose of the Act
To learn how to use the federal Indigenous Languages Act (Bill C-91) to support your efforts in the reclamation, revitalization, preservation, and strengthening of First Nations languages.
Language Rights
- Indigenous language rights are inherent, treaty-based, constitutional, and international rights. The Act affirms these rights in federal legislation and will ensure their protection, application, and implementation.
- Language is an essential requirement of the right to self-determination, as stated in the United Nations Declaration (UNDRIP).
- The affirmation and recognition of language rights in the Act help promote the development of local language laws and policies.
Funding Commitment
- The development of language revitalization activities does not depend on the Act, but the legislation should facilitate the creation of comprehensive, multi-dimensional, and long-term language plans by providing adequate, sustainable, and long-term funding.
- These plans can better reflect the First Nations’ vision of reclaiming, revitalizing, maintaining, and strengthening languages with the goal of restoring fluency.
Engagement and Consultation
The Act facilitates the definition of government responsibilities and requires the government to periodically consult Indigenous peoples on several issues, including:
- funding;
- the creation of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages;
- the development of regulations based on distinct identity;
- independent reviews every three years.
Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages
An independent entity whose mission is to support the efforts of rights holders and Indigenous-led language organizations toward the reclamation, revitalization, maintenance, and strengthening of ancestral languages.
The Commissioner and up to three directors must be appointed in consultation with Indigenous governments, governing bodies, and entities.
Services offered:
- You can file a complaint with the Commissioner regarding the government’s failure to comply with the Act, particularly on funding issues;
- You can share your opinion on the implementation of the Act for inclusion in the Commissioner’s annual report;
- You can request assistance from the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages for the development of your language plan;
- You can request the conduct of studies or research activities related to First Nations languages.
Agreements and Arrangements
- The Act provides for the facilitation of effective intergovernmental coordination and support measures for Indigenous languages.
- The Act will primarily affect education, including the development of curricula and teacher certification, among other areas.
- You can formally collaborate with all levels of government in your language promotion activities, including Indigenous governments and other governing bodies, federal, provincial, and territorial governments, or Indigenous organizations.
Section 3 – Your Role
Leading Your Own Initiatives
Strong community-based measures are required to compensate for the loss of First Nations languages and to advance the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples regarding language.
These measures can take root in the community and, where appropriate, grow into a broader strategy.
Here are some starting points:
- determine if there is a regional or national organization or entity that provides support or funding to your community;
- develop a critical mass;
- create a language plan;
- build your capacity;
- determine the language needs (language assessment or environmental scan);
- draft your own language laws or policies.
Regional Considerations
- Indigenous-led language organizations already exist and are ready to support local initiatives and meet community needs.
- Some of these entities operate (or can operate) at a regional level to coordinate or deliver language programs or support local initiatives.
- If you identify a gap and no regional organization exists in your area, consider contacting communities in your region to determine if such an organization should be established.
- If you seek help from existing regional organizations, they may be able to provide useful resources and tools.
National and Urban Considerations
- Existing regional and national service organizations can play an important role in ensuring that First Nations members living in urban areas have access to language and culture programs, such as water-based or land-based learning activities.
Getting Started…
Brainstorming and Startup Work at the Community Level
- This work helps to map out a realistic path forward.
Language Plans
- These plans are used to determine objectives, the status of the language, and needs, to create a plan, to identify existing resources (including capacity), and to determine evaluation methods.
Capacity Building
The activities below will help you build your capacity and obtain the information required to implement your plan:
- Obtain support from your community – organize a meeting or gathering to discuss the language.
- Create a language committee.
- Obtain funding.
- Establish a base of accessible linguistic resources.
- Begin documenting an inventory of resources.
- Meet with speakers and language experts in your community or region and forge partnerships with them.
- Obtain help from language experts to document the language and develop your plans or teaching materials.
- Consider training opportunities, particularly for teachers.
- Use the language more often (integrate it into daily life) and encourage others to do the same.
- Keep the language alive through long-term, recurring policies, laws, and cultural activities.
Language Status Assessment
These assessments are useful for determining the status of languages (now and over time).
A language status assessment is a thorough environmental scan:
- How many people speak the language? What is the age range of the speakers? What is the age of the youngest speakers?
- Can speakers of the language and second-language learners meet easily?
- Does the community support language revitalization efforts? What resources exist within the community?
- Can you build on existing research?
- Has the language been documented?
- Do you have trained teachers?
- Are university courses offered in the language? Are they easily accessible?
- Do you need materials or space?
- What other needs do you have? Do you have dictionaries? A curriculum? An Elders group? Classes?
- Are there laws or policies enacted by your government?
Language Legislation or Policies
Consider developing language laws or policies within your community or organization by:
- determining if you are able to develop laws or policies (is there a language committee or group dedicated to revitalization?). Is it currently possible to conduct professional activities in the Indigenous language?
- examining your existing capacity and determining if the law or policy can help you achieve your long-term goals and vision for the language.
- taking into account that a law or policy strengthens the implementation of a language plan – the ultimate goal being to keep the language alive.
- developing a policy statement regarding the language. It should include the mission and goals, declare that the language is the official language of the community or organization, and define responsibilities. State other elements deemed important, such as specific language activities or an implementation plan.