What we Heard Report: Consultations on the Implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act — October 13, 2020 — British Colombia

Context

The Government of Canada is undertaking a variety of consultation activities across Canada on the implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act, with a focus on the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages and Directors and the Indigenous Languages Funding Model.

These consultation sessions will help the Minister of Canadian Heritage make recommendations to the Governor in Council for the appointment of a Commissioner of Indigenous Languages and up to three Directors. Feedback from these sessions will also inform the development of the Indigenous Languages Funding Model.

For further details and information about the Indigenous Languages Act and current consultations, we invite you to read our Discussion guide: Consultations and Engagement on the Implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act.

A summary of the most recent consultation session is provided below. The summary is not a complete account of the discussions. Instead, it highlights the key themes that emerged from this consultation session. Please visit the online consultation portal and review the discussion guide to share your own and/or additional views.

Participants Overall Comments and Suggestions

Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages

The following considerations and themes were raised during the discussion on the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages:

Roles and Responsibilities:

Participants indicated that it was important that the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages:

Some participants had concerns that the conflict resolution role of the Office, while important, may end up taking time and energy away from other urgent action required on Indigenous languages revitalization.

Plans and Priorities and Early Successes - Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages:

According to participants, an early success would be to establish clear roles and responsibilities for the Office, including its structure and decision-making ability, and communicate this clearly to the public.

Selection of a Commissioner and Directors:

Participants proposed that appointees to the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages should:

Participants also suggested that the Commissioner and Directors should have a strong theoretical background in the work of revitalizing Indigenous languages, and be empathetic and conduct themselves with integrity.

Indigenous Languages Funding Model

The following considerations and themes were raised during the discussion on the proposed Indigenous Languages Funding Model:

Language Vitality and Governance Capacity:

According to participants, the Indigenous Languages Funding Model should:

What to Fund:

According to participants, a wide range of activities and initiatives should receive funding, including: language champions at the community level, support for Knowledge Keepers and Elders, connectivity infrastructure, teacher training and certification, living allowances for language learners, support for post-secondary and community efforts targeted towards teaching adults, family learning activities, immersion programs and curriculum development.

Overall, participants stressed the importance of flexibility - recognizing that support is required for a broad range of efforts.

Funding Process:

According to participants, the funding process should:

Some participants felt that funding allocations should be the responsibility of existing Indigenous-led organizations.

Defining and Measuring Success:

Participants indicated that success could look like:

Participants commented on the fact that success will also go beyond measuring a number or percentage of speakers, for example, and will include an increase in the understanding and use of Indigenous ways and worldviews.

Additional Comments

Participants raised a number of other considerations, including:

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