OTTAWA, July 13, 2005 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla received the report of the Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, entitled "Towards a New Beginning: A Foundational Report for a Strategy to Revitalize First Nations, Inuit and Métis Languages and Cultures."The Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures was appointed in December 2003 to make recommendations to the Minister of Canadian Heritage on the revitalization, preservation, and promotion of Aboriginal languages and cultures and the creation of a national strategy to address their erosion and loss. The Task Force held consultations across Canada with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, Elders, organizations, community leaders, language experts, and others, whose insights contributed to the development of "Towards a New Beginning."Measures to reverse the erosion of Aboriginal languages are necessary, since close to half of the more than 60 Aboriginal languages in Canada are considered endangered, and 10 languages have become extinct over the past 100 years.In December 2002, the Government of Canada committed $160 million over 10 years to help halt the erosion of Aboriginal languages. Part of the Task Force's mandate was to identify priorities and advise on how best to spend that money.For more information on the Task Force or to obtain a copy of "Towards a New Beginning," please visit www.aboriginallanguagestaskforce.ca or www.canadianheritage.gc.caInformation:Jean-François Del TorchioPress Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women(819) 997-7788Myriam BrochuChief, Media RelationsCanadian Heritage(819) 997-9314
