TABLED DOCUMENT 271-18(3) TABLED ON OCTOBER 29, 2018
2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT On Official Languages Government of the Northwest Territories MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER
I am pleased to release the 2017-2018 Annual Report on Official Languages that showcases and celebrates the important work completed in the official languages of the Northwest Territories (NWT); Part I presents the Indigenous languages initiatives; and Part II features the French language initiatives. The report looks at achievements made towards the promotion, development, enhancement and delivery of programs and services in all official languages. Languages are the foundation of in funding for Indigenous language are providing a future for all NWT NWT identity, culture and community within revitalization. At that same time, official languages. Indigenous Languages Framework – A which values and beliefs form peoples’ the GNWT launched the new Shared Responsibility worldviews. They communicate wisdom Mársı, Kinanāskomitin, Thank you, and traditions that are to be honoured, (2017) that Merci, Hąį’, Quana, Qujannamiik, protected, and celebrated for future outlines the vision, goals, and priority Quyanainni, Máhsı, Máhsı, and Mahsı̀, Honourable Caroline Cochrane generations to come. areas, and sets out a clear direction Minister of Education, for the NWT to revitalize and improve Culture and Employment The Government of the Northwest access to services in the Indigenous Territories (GNWT) is committed languages. to supporting its official languages, including – Chipewyan, Cree, English, In 2017-2018, the GNWT also conducted French, Gwich’in, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, an external audit and evaluation of Inuvialuktun, North Slavey, South Slavey the GNWT Strategic Plan on French and Tłı̨chǫ. Languages hold within them Language Communications and a great deal of knowledge about our Services. The outcomes of this activity unique histories, cultures, and lands. will contribute to the creation of the Strategic Plan 2018-2023 and to the In 2017-18, the GNWT continued to update of the Standards for French. enact its commitment to reconciliation On-going implementation of the GNWT’s through recognizing the right of French Strategic Plan will continue to Indigenous Governments to manage have a positive impact on the lives of their own Indigenous language French-speaking residents, workers and revitalization efforts. In May 2017, the visitors in the NWT. Government of Canada and the GNWT jointly announced the signing of the I want to acknowledge and thank the renewed Canada-NWT Cooperation numerous organizations and individuals Agreement for French and Indigenous who have contributed to the success of Languages. This was the first multi- all the programs and services that have year agreement with the Government enhanced and revitalized our official of Canada, and included an increase languages. Your commitment and effort TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I: INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES...... 4 NWT INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES: SHARING THE RESPONSIBILITY...... 4 OVERVIEW...... 4 LEGISLATED ROLES...... 4 NWT Languages Commissioner...... 4 Minister Responsible for the Official Languages Act...... 4 NWT Languages Boards...... 4 THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA...... 6 REGIONAL INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS...... 7 Highlights from Regional Indigenous Government Programs and Initiatives...... 8 Akaitcho Territory Government...... 8 Dehcho First Nations...... 9 Gwich’in Tribal Council...... 10 Northwest Territory Métis Nation...... 11 Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC)...... 12 Sahtú Dene Council...... 14 Tłı̨chǫ Government...... 15 INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES AND EDUCATION SECRETARIAT...... 16 NWT Indigenous Languages Framework and Action Plan: A Shared Responsibility...... 16 Indigenous Languages Month...... 18 NWT Indigenous Languages Facebook Page...... 18 Indigenous Languages Broadcasting...... 19 Funding for Communications Societies...... 19 Community Broadcasting Support Program...... 20 Revitalizing Indigenous Languages in Communities Program...... 20 Territorial Indigenous Languages Strategic Initiatives Program...... 23 INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES IN EDUCATION...... 26 OVERVIEW...... 26 INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CURRICULA...... 27 INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE LEARNING...... 27 TEACHING AND LEARNING CENTRES...... 28 Highlights from K’alemi Dene School...... 28 INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING...... 28 GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES...... 30 OVERVIEW...... 30 GOVERNMENT INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES...... 30 GOVERNMENT NEWS AND MEDIA DELIVERED IN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES...... 33 RADIO AND PRINT ADVERTISING IN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES...... 33 INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES...... 34 GOVERNMENT SIGNAGE IN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES...... 35 INDIGENOUS BILINGUAL BONUS & LANGUAGE ALLOWANCE...... 36 GNWT LANGUAGE PROGRAM EXPENDITURES - INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES (2017 - 2018)...... 38 PART II: FRENCH...... 40 HOW WE APPROACH OUR WORK...... 40 FRENCH LANGUAGE SERVICES AT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES...... 40 PROGRESS FOR FRENCH LANGUAGE SERVICES...... 42 GOAL 1: LEADERSHIP AND POLICY DIRECTION...... 42 GOAL 2: AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY...... 45 GOAL 3: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT...... 51 GNWT Language Program Expenditures – French (2017-2018)...... 54
Annual Report On Official Languages 3 PART I: INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES NWT INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES: Sharing The Responsibility OVERVIEW Official Minister Responsible for the Languages Act Official Languages Act The NWT is the only jurisdiction in Canada that has an Official Languages Act has that recognizes nine official Indigenous languages, The Minister responsible for the alongside English and French: Chipewyan, Cree, Gwich’in, Official Languages Act Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey, South Slavey responsibility for setting the direction and Tłı̨chǫ. The contains laws approved by and coordination of GNWT policies and programs related to official the Legislative Assembly that relate to the nine official Indigenous for the Official Languages Act languages. The Minister responsible languages,The Official Languages English and Act French. is the Guided by the leadership of the Minister of Education, Culture, recognizes that preserving legislated bodies, the Government NWTand Employment. Languages Boards and enhancing the use of of Canada, regional Indigenous The Official Languages Act official languages is a shared Governments, and the Indigenous responsibility of the Legislative Languages and Education Secretariat establishes Assembly, the GNWT, and also work to strengthen, promote and both an Official Languages Board The Official Languages Act NWT language communities. celebrate Indigenous languages in the (OLB) and an Aboriginal Languages spirit of ‘a shared responsibility’. Revitalization Board (ALRB). establishes three legislated LEGISLATED ROLES bodies that play a role in NWT Languages Commissioner Appointments to the OLB and ALRB protecting, revitalizing are made by the Commissioner and promoting Indigenous in the Executive Council on the languages in the NWT. The Commissioner of the NWT, on the recommendation of the Minister, and These bodies are the: recommendation of the Legislative on the nomination of the prescribed Assembly, appoints a Languages representative of each of the language • Languages Commissioner; Commissioner to exercise the powers communities. Appointees must be the Official Languages Act Official Languages Act • Minister responsible for and perform the duties set out in the residents of the NWT and serve at and , and holds office pleasure for a term of two years. ; for terms of up to four years. During the 2017-18 fiscal year, board • Two• language boards: In 2017-18, the Languages members’ terms expired and the Official Languages Commissioner was Shannon Gullberg, Department of Education, Culture • Board; and, who has held the position since and Employment worked to receive Aboriginal Languages October 2015. For more information and process nominations and Revitalization Board. on the Office of the Languages appointments to the two boards. There
Commissioner, including annual and continues to be no active organization special reports, visit www.olc-nt.ca. representing the NWT Inuktitut 4 Annual Report On Official Languages OFFICIAL LANGUAGES BOARD ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES REVITALIZATION BOARD
Members represent each of the eleven official Members represent the nine Indigenous official languages and advise the Minister responsible for languages and advise the Minister responsible for Official Languages Act on matters related to the Official Languages Act on matters related to programs administration and delivery of GNWT official language and initiatives that maintain, promote, and revitalize services. Indigenous languages
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES BOARD AND ABORIGINAL LANGUAGE language community on REVITALIZATION BOARD REPRESENTATIVES both boards, or the English language on the OLB. LANGUAGE MEMBER ALTERNATE For the first time, the Cree Vance Sanderson Mary Cardinal same member and alternate represent both Inuvialuktun Deanna Marie Jacobson Betty Elias the OLB and the ALRB. This is in preparation for Inuinnaqtun Emily Kudlak Joshua Oliktoak the amalgamation of the two boards, which was a Gwich’in Eleanor Mitchell-Firth Karen Mitchell recommendation of the Standing Committee on Chipewyan Angie Lanz Mary Rose Sundberg Government Operations and the two languages boards, North Slavey Leonard Kenney Bella T’seleie and will be proposed in a forthcoming amendment to the South Slavey Jonas Landry Sarah Gargan legislation.
Tammy Steinwand- Declined to nominate Tłı̨chǫ Deschambeault alternate French (Official Language Richard Létourneau Vacant Board only) English (Official Language Nominating body as prescribed in OLA Regulations does not exist. Board only)
Inuktitut Nominating body as prescribed in OLA Regulations does not exist.
Official Languages Board and Aboriginal Language Revitalization Board Member and Alternate Representatives
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