International Decade of Indigenous Languages

With this in mind, the United Nations declared 2022-2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

A key outcome of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages, the Decade aims to draw global attention to the critical situation of many Indigenous languages and to mobilize relevant stakeholders for the preservation, revitalization and promotion of these languages. The Decade also focuses on mainstreaming, and taking pride in, linguistic diversity and multilingualism, while ensuring that the rights of Indigenous peoples to preserve and promote their languages are respected.

Throughout the Decade, Canada will recognize, raise awareness of, and celebrate the richness and diversity of Indigenous languages.

Taking action

In November 2021, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved and published a Global Action Plan of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. The Global Action Plan outlines specific goals and expected outcomes for the Decade, as well as sets the stage for the next 10 years of activities and events focused on the revitalization of Indigenous languages across the world.

Building on that momentum, Canada has worked with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to develop Canada’s National Action Plan for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Canada’s National Action Plan provides a framework to further support Indigenous Peoples in their efforts to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, strengthen and promote Indigenous languages in Canada.

The National Action Plan is also meant to foster collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners, such as provinces and territories, civil society, and academia in support of the Decade.

The National Action Plan also emphasizes the importance of engaging Indigenous youth and the need to create a lasting legacy to ensure the transmission of Indigenous languages and cultures for generations to come.

Read Canada’s National Action Plan for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. The National Action Plan is also available in the following Indigenous languages:

• Denesuline
• Innu Aimun
• Inuktitut
• Mi’kmaq
• Michif
• Oji-Cree

Learn more

• Joint Statement — The Government of Canada, National Indigenous leaders and the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages mark the start of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages
• UNESCO Global Task Force for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages
• Let's celebrate Indigenous languages in Canada — International Year of Indigenous Languages (2019)
• UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages (2019)
• Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act