Indigenous Languages Act – Question Period Card, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Quebec Lieutenant

Issue

Indigenous Languages Act

Update

January 17, 2022

Source

Various

Synopsis

The Government acknowledges that there are no Indigenous languages that are considered to be safe in Canada, and three quarters of Indigenous languages in Canada are endangered. The Government has committed to fully implementing the Indigenous Languages Act in collaboration with Indigenous peoples in order to support their efforts to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages in Canada, with long-term predictable and sustainable funding.

Recommended response

• Canadian Heritage is working collaboratively with Indigenous peoples to fully implement the Indigenous Languages Act.
• Since Budget 2019, Canada has provided historic investments of $608.7 million and $117.7 million in ongoing funding to support the ongoing community-based efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages.
• These significant investments recognize the importance of Indigenous languages as a foundation for culture, identity and belonging, and will support more Indigenous communities in their efforts to revitalize their languages.

Background

• On June 21, 2019, the Indigenous Languages Act (the Act) received Royal Assent/
• The Act contains mechanisms to: a) promote the use of Indigenous languages; b) establish a framework to facilitate the effective exercise of the rights of Indigenous Peoples that relate to Indigenous languages; c) establish measures to facilitate the provision of adequate, sustainable and long-term funding; and d) facilitate meaningful opportunities for Indigenous governments and organizations to collaborate in policy development related to the implementation of this Act. The Act also establishes the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages.
• The Act was developed with First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation following extensive engagement and collaborative development work. A Joint Implementation Steering Committee has been formed to guide the implementation of the Act, and includes representatives from the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council and PCH.
• In December 2021, the Minister was mandated to “work with First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation to ensure that the Indigenous Languages Act continues to be fully implemented and is supported by long-term, predictable and sustainable funding in order to preserve, promote and revitalize Indigenous languages in Canada.”

Funding towards Indigenous Languages

• Budget 2019 provided $333.7 million over 5 years and $115.7 million ongoing to support the implementation of the Act. Building on these investments, Budget 2021 provided $275 million over 5 years, beginning in 2021-22, and $2 million ongoing, to further support the implementation of the Act.
• These investments are in addition to existing funding. Total funding towards the revitalization of Indigenous languages, including the Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program and the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages, amounts to $60 million in 2020-21, $137.8 million in 2021-22, $191.8 million in 2022-23 and $257.8 million in 2023-24.

Indigenous Languages and Culture Program (ILCP)

• The ILCP is comprised of several funding components, the largest of which is the Indigenous Languages Component, that provides funding for community-driven activities to support Indigenous languages (Budget of $73.8 million in 2021-22).
• The Indigenous Languages Component has been increasingly oversubscribed in recent years. In 2021-22, 524 applications for funding were received, totaling approximately $85 million in requests.
• In B-C, Ontario and N-S, First Nations access this funding through First Nations organizations who manage the program on behalf of PCH. First Nation, Métis Nation and Inuit Review Committees were established in 2020-21 to review and make recommendations to PCH on applications to be funded and the level of funding for First Nations (in other regions), Métis and Inuit applicants.
• The Indigenous Languages Component National Call for Proposals for 2022-23 closed on November 29, 2021.
• Other ILCP elements include:
  • Territorial Language Accords: support the governments of the N-T ($5.9 million) and Nunavut ($5.1 million), and self-governing First Nations in Yukon ($1.1 million), for the delivery of services in Indigenous languages (total: $12.1 million per year).
  • Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting: funds Indigenous broadcasting societies to produce and distribute Indigenous radio and video content in the North ($7.9 million per year).
  • National Indigenous Peoples Day: supports activities for celebrations on June 21 (approximately $120,000 per year).
  • Scholarship and Youth Initiatives and the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (Indspire): supports scholarships, career fairs and youth initiatives (approximately $400,000 per year).
• ILCP funding also supports the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages to support the efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen their languages (for 2021-22: $5.5 million for operations; $15 million to support research and innovative projects). In July 2021, the first appointments of the first Commissioner and Directors to the Office took effect, and their efforts are currently focussed on setting up the Office to deliver on its mandate.

Agreements per the Indigenous Languages Act

• Budget 2021 provided $86.8M over 3 years to support agreements with Indigenous/provincial/territorial governments and Indigenous organizations under Sections 8 and 9 of the Act, to support Indigenous languages programs and services, coordinate efforts to efficiently and effectively support Indigenous languages or meet the purposes of the Act.
• Since 2020-21, PCH has been piloting two Pathfinder Agreements under the Act with Indigenous partners: a Nunavut Tripartite Agreement ($42M over 5 years) and an agreement with the Nisga’a Lisims Government ($6M over 6 years).

International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-32)

• The United Nations announced an International Decade of Indigenous Languages in 2022-32, which will aim to mobilize stakeholders and resources around the world for coordinated action on Indigenous languages.
• Canada is participating in the Global Task Force, the governance mechanism established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the Decade.
• With the finalization of the Global Action Plan in November 2021, PCH in collaboration with Indigenous partners are turning their attention to the development of a National Action Plan.
• The International Decade provides a unique opportunity to promote, accelerate, and amplify the implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act including the establishment of long-term, predictable, and sustainable funding.