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:
- Recognize the diversity of Indigenous languages in British Columbia and that revitalizing Indigenous languages must be led by Nations, and listen to the voices of the people and communities and report back to them;
- Build a national, inclusive strategy to support the achievement of the goals of the Indigenous Languages Act;
- Establish relationships with federal and provincial partners to troubleshoot issues, promote institutional change and establish a “whole of government” approach to Indigenous language revitalization efforts;
- Work with government and other partners to increase Canadians’ awareness of the history of colonial policies and the impact they’ve had on Indigenous languages and to promote the value and importance of Indigenous languages; and
- Adopt innovative ways of revitalizing Indigenous language and look to models outside the mainstream education system.
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:
- Understand the unique situation of the diversity of Indigenous languages in British Columbia;
- Listen to the voice of the Indigenous languages experts and the communities;
- Have personal and on the ground experience in the work of Indigenous language revitalization;
- Possess a solid reputation as an effective advocate for Indigenous languages; and
- Communicate and delegate effectively.
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:
- Prioritize support for languages that are critically endangered;
- Reflect the diversity of approaches needed to revitalize Indigenous languages; and
- Provide a balanced approach between per capita distribution, adjustments for smaller communities and language vitality.
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:
- Be accessible – the current application process is time-consuming and onerous;
- Result in long-term, predictable and sustainable funding that will help build community capacity;
- Ensure that funding goes directly to communities; and
- Be Indigenous-led.
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:
- A growing number of people using Indigenous languages in every part of their lives in their homes, in schools and in the broader community;
- Children comfortable in their own languages and ceremonies being held without interpretation;
- A broad range of community members engaged in the work of revitalizing Indigenous languages; and
- Greater integration of Indigenous languages in the community (ex. radio programs), in the education system and in other institutions.
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:
- An Indigenous perspective needs to be at the forefront of this work, with governments working alongside Indigenous Peoples;
- The strength of the movement to revitalize Indigenous languages comes from communities; and
- Every Indigenous person has the right to learn their language. There should be a recognition of Indigenous languages as official languages in different parts of the country.
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