What we Heard Report: Consultations on the Implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act — December 9, 2020 — Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres

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 thought that the roles and responsibilities of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages should include:

Some participants thought that structuring the Office, in particular its Directors, along provincial, territorial, regional lines, or by Indigenous language families, would be better than using a distinctions-based approach.

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

Participants proposed that the Office focus on the following early priorities:

Some participants suggested that the Office incorporate the teachings and spirit contained in Indigenous languages into its work.

Selection of a Commissioner and Directors:

Participants thought that appointees to the Office should be knowledgeable about Indigenous languages and that appointments should be non-political.

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:

Participants raised a number of issues to consider during the development of an Indigenous Languages Funding Model, including:

Participants shared their concerns about being left out of a funding model structured along a distinctions-based approach, and commented that Friendship Centres are in a good position to undertake Indigenous languages revitalization work with urban Indigenous populations.

What to Fund:

Participants thought that funding should be flexible in recognition of the different populations and learning styles involved in Indigenous languages work. Examples of initiatives and efforts that should receive support under the funding model include:

Participants also talked about the strong appetite from young people in urban settings to learn Indigenous languages. Some participants emphasized that the bulk of the funding should support on-the-ground efforts to revitalize and preserve Indigenous languages rather than research.

Funding Process:

According to participants, the funding process should provide for multi-year funding directly to Indigenous organizations and Indigenous communities and ensure accountability.

Defining and Measuring Success:

Participants thought that the following would signal success for Indigenous language revitalization:

Participants suggested it would be worthwhile to consider a peer review process to assess the success of Indigenous languages revitalization initiatives and programs.

Additional Comments

Participants talked about Indigenous languages being alive and representing a way of life and a connection to ceremony and to Mother Earth. Others spoke about access to Indigenous languages education as a human right, and reflected that the vitality of Indigenous languages varies from place to place, with some languages in a critical situation. Although quick action on Indigenous languages is required, there is also an acknowledgment that overall, this will be a long-term effort. Participants also mentioned that for some Indigenous people, Indigenous languages are not always a priority because of poverty and other survival challenges they face.

Participants acknowledged that getting to this point with respect to Indigenous languages is a significant achievement that was a long time in the making. However, many stressed the importance of ensuring that urban Indigenous populations are involved in consultations going forward in order to better reflect the demographic realities of where Indigenous people live. Others commented that the distinctions-based approach to the development and implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act does not adequately involve all Indigenous constituencies, in particular the urban population.

Discussion also included points about Friendship Centres in Ontario, their clientele, and their role as a gathering place for Indigenous culture. Others spoke about the expertise that Friendship Centres have in providing service to urban populations and in Indigenous languages work specifically.

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