2017 - 2018 ANNUAL REPORT On Official Government of the 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 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 – , , English, In 2017-2018, the GNWT also conducted French, Gwich’in, , , an external audit and evaluation of , North , 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 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 ...... 6 REGIONAL INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS...... 7 Highlights from Regional Indigenous Government Programs and Initiatives...... 8 Akaitcho Territory Government...... 8 Dehcho ...... 9 Gwich’in ...... 10 Northwest Territory Métis Nation...... 11 Regional Corporation (IRC)...... 12 Sahtú 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 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 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 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

Annual Report On Official Languages 5 nanan Inupa leut up Greenland

Inualutun Indigenous Languages of the IIT-I-G a Tlnt Inuttut -D Northwest Territories orthern FFII GG I IT Athabaskan Regional dialects in italics GI lonun Coastal uroAthabaskan taalu IIT uannanan

outhern Indigenous Language Groups Athabaskan in the Northwest Territories Sachs Harbour IIT ummarmiutun luhato Tutoatu Siglitun Kangiryuarmiutun

la Inu aulatu GII Gwihyah IIT Fort

Teetl’it Tsiigehtchic McPherson Official Languages of K’shogot’ine ollle ae the Northwest Territories Fort Good ope

T Languages Sahtgot’ine Inuttut Inunnatun Inualutun Shhtagot’ine NormanTulta Wells DDélı̨ne DeneGhn Languages orth lae Wekweètì Gamètì outh lae rle

Wıìlıìdeh hpean TŁĮCHǪWhatì ellonfe Tłı̨chǫ Behchokǫ̀ T Detah / Ndılǫ Łutselk’e Algonquinree Languages Fortean Simpson are er ahann Fort rodene I Butte Indo-European Languages a er amaa e Fort Frenh ard English Enterprise Fort mth NĒHIYAWĒWIN This map of the NWT shows the 33 communities with officially recognized NWT geographic names as compiled by the Cultural Places Program administered by the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. The shading represents the geographic area in which the language historically has been spoken. THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

In May 2017, the Government first year, and increased to $5,900,000 Communication Society and of Canada and the GNWT for 2017-18 to 2019-20. Inuvialuit Communication Society; During the 2017-18 fiscal year, the jointly announced the increased funding supported the • Increased funding to community signing of the renewed following programs and initiatives: radio stations; Canada-NWT Cooperation • • Implementation of the Revitalizing Agreement for French and Indigenous Languages in Indigenous Languages Continued implementation Communities Program; (Agreement). The four-year and strengthening of Regional Agreement provides multi- Indigenous Language Plans through • Funding for the Territorial Regional Indigenous year federal funding to the regional Indigenous Governments Indigenous Languages Strategic Governments • GNWT to support the nine (see next section Initiatives Program; and, official Indigenous languages. for more information); Community supports including The Agreement, which • Continued funding for NWT on-the-land resources, use of became effective in 2016-17, Broadcasting Societies – Native cultural experts and professional provided $1,900,000 for the development opportunities. 6 Annual Report On Official Languages REGIONAL REGIONAL INDIGENOUS INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE(S) SUPPORTED GOVERNMENTS GOVERNMENT

Tłı̨chǫ Government Tłı̨chǫ The promotion, preservation, and revitalization of Indigenous languages are best managed by Indigenous people South Slavey and communities, and, as such, regional Indigenous Governments have managed Dene Council North Slavey their own language revitalization efforts since 2014. Gwich’in Tribal Council Gwich’in In 2017-18, the GNWT distributed $4,900,000 to regional Indigenous Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Inuvialuktun / Inuinnaqtun Governments through 3-year contribution agreements. Administering 3-year agreements allows regional NWT Métis Nation Cree/Chipewyan Indigenous Governments to make long term plans for their Indigenous language Akaitcho Territory Government Cree / Chipewyan / Tłı̨chǫ programs and services, which support locally developed revitalization goals. The funds support the development, Cree / Chipewyan coordination and implementation of activities and resources as outlined Indigenous languages managed by Regional Indigenous Governments in Indigenous Governments’ Regional Indigenous Language Plans. REGIONAL INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES 1,000,000 12 900,000 Funding Amount 800,000 Number of Communities Served 10 700,000 8 600,000 500,000 6 400,000 4 300,000 Amount Received ($) Received Amount

200,000 Number of Communities 2 100,000 0 0 Tłıchǫ̨ Dehcho First Sahtu Dene Gwich’in Tribal Inuvialuit NWT Métis Akaitcho Salt River Government Nations Council Council Regional Nation Territory First Nation Corporation Government

Funding received and number of communities served by regional Indigenous Governments

Annual Report On Official Languages 7 HIGHLIGHTS FROM REGIONAL INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENT Programs and Initiatives

Akaitcho Territory Government

VISION GOALS

That Chipewyan is recognized, respected and spoken in • Keep the Chipewyan languages alive and strong. homes and the community. • Have all members and residents speaking the language as part of their everyday lives. • Work together with partners to revitalize the language. • Develop quality materials. • Develop a resource centre. • Professionalize language services and supports. • Capacity development. HIGHLIGHTS

In the 2017-2018 reporting year, thematic booklet resources for organized a community display of the Akaitcho Territory Government camping and on-the-land trips, Chipewyan syllabics side-by-side (ATG) organized a regional helped out in local preschool with Roman Orthography, and language meeting for community- language classes, and assisted helped promote an NWT Literacy Our Languages level coordinators, distributed regional Chipewyan instructors Council contest. Throughout ILM, funding to the community language with pilot and continuing weekly until June, coordinators, facilitated activity curriculum implementation. the Regional Coordinator taught reporting from the communities, language and vowel writing and began various staffing To celebrate Indigenous Languages skills in the Fort Resolution adult processes. The ATG Regional Month (ILM) in March 2018, the education program. Coordinator also developed ATG offered a writers’ workshop,

8 Annual Report On Official Languages Dehcho First Nations

VISION GOALS

•

The Dene language of the Dehcho will be maintained Taking back our language: To preserve the traditional as an important part of all social, cultural and • pronunciation and use of our language. political activities and will be the main language use Immersion in our language: To encourage the use of our for Dehcho Dene culture and values. • language in day-to-day life.

Community Involvement and Support: To allow all of The Dehcho Elders will assist in the planning, our communities preserving and developing the Dene language and community members to be familiar with and through traditional community consultations, in the participate in regional language activities and context of healthy lifestyles. encourage widespread coordination and support for • language activities. Guidelines: To ensure that all language activities meet • minimum standards. Training: To ensure access to all required training and certifications.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ka’a’gee Tu First Nations (receives Łı́ı́ dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation (receives Education company, and the support funding through Dehcho First Nations) funding through Dehcho First Nations) of a local film maker. This was a total collaborative effort between many “In 2017-18, the community gathered to “The Project “In their Own Words” was people.” create a community language plan. This completed in March 2018. This was a is the first community language plan that far reaching and inclusive project that the Ka’a’gee Tu First Nations has had that documented the Life of 5 Elders in the is our own. We are happy and impressed community: their experiences on the by it, and are excited to have something land, their life, and the Dene Zhatıé to go by to help plan our future language language. The collaborative project programs and initiatives. The plan brought 17 students from the Northern maps out the priorities unique to our Studies Program at the local high school, community.” the District Regional Education Council, Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation, interpreters, language specialists, Reel Youth - a Film

Annual Report On Official Languages 9 Gwich’in Tribal Council

VISION GOALS

In three years, the Gwich’in Participants will be • Language Resources: Increase availability and actively participating in and benefiting from an accessibility of language resources active language revitalization process that has • Language Learning: Increase opportunities for authentic shifted from language initiatives that develop language learning in a safe and supportive environment awareness of basic knowledge of the Gwich’in language to those that develop language fluency. •  Networking & Sharing: Increase opportunities for sharing resources across regions and organizations • Promotional Activities: Increase the importance of Aboriginal languages in the NWT HIGHLIGHTS

During 2017-2018, the Gwich’in Tribal for a Gwich’in Language Advisory implemented a Mentor-Apprentice Council (GTC) advanced the use of the Committee, to be established in the 2018- Program (MAP), conducted general Gwich’in language as the primary means 2019 fiscal year. In order to promote the research, sought out additional sources of communication in the home, family daily use of language, the GTC Annual of funding, and hired a Language and community by various methods. GTC General Assembly passed a resolution to Revitalization Specialist to support representatives reviewed and correlated support Gwich’in Language preservation community managed language programs Community Language Plans to the and revitalization. and language teachers. Communities have 2017-2020 Gwich’in Language Plan and begun to discuss preserving Gwich’in disbursed funding to support community This year, the GTC also catalogued and language, culture and history. language plans. The GTC Board of began to digitize Gwich’in language Directors approved the Terms of Reference audio-visual resources, developed and

10 Annual Report On Official Languages Northwest Territories Métis Nation

VISION GOALS

•

To make languages visible and spoken amongst • Revitalize languages through: youth to elder speakers, by strengthening culture in • Film production our communities. • Learning materials • Radio broadcasting • Evening classes • More signage in communities • Maintaining languages office Support community events

HIGHLIGHTS

Throughout 2017-2018, the Northwest Also last year, the NTMN produced development at the end of the year were Territory Métis Nation (NTMN) continued multilingual stop signs, distributed plans to offer evening language classes to develop and distribute promotional hoodies, and participated in a community at Aurora College, youth and elder on- items like postcards, thank you cards, store signage and bar coding program. the-land trips, winter time traditional and thematic Valentine’s Day, Christmas, The search for a Cree radio station skills camps, crafting festivals, and and birthday cards in Cree, Chipewyan, site in Fort Smith continued, as did the summertime regional mapping projects. and throughout the year. The Métis preparation of radio show logistics Nation planned updates for dictionaries, with the goal of launching in time language posters, and a third edition for 2018 Arctic Winter Games. The Three Feathers multilingual cookbook featuring Cree, NTMN contributed to the multilingual Chipewyan, and Michif. These popular film production, and resources are distributed to nearby collaborated with Western Arctic Moving communities, at the Thebacha trade show, Pictures (WAMP) to plan board-game, and to interested community members video game, film, and smart phone app who drop in to the language offices. development workshops. Still under

Annual Report On Official Languages 11 Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC)

VISION GOALS

1 Inuvialuktun and Inuinnaqtun will be the main Revitalize and celebrate Inuvialuit cultural identity, values, means of communication that connects Inuvialuit and the revitalization of the Inuvialuktun language. LANGUAGE with our past, strengthens our social, emotional and spiritual well-being, and reinforces the importance of our traditions, culture, and modern Sustain the Inuvialuktun language and increase its • way of life as follows: everyday use. Revitalize and celebrate Inuvialuit cultural • identity and values. • Develop Inuvialuktun curriculum and curriculum • Exercise stewardship over Inuvialuit lands. resource materials, including the publication and distribution of Inuvialuktun teaching and learning Improve the capacity and well-being of resources. individuals,• families and communities. • Promote the use of Inuvialuktun in Child Development • Promoting healthier lifestyles. Centres and in elementary and secondary school • Supporting educational development. curriculum and classrooms.  Continue to assert Inuvialuit rights and benefits • Support the development and uptake of Inuvialuktun through implementation of the Inuvialuit Final learning programs. •Agreement. • Reinforce and continue the development of written • Economics. Inuvialuit drum dance songs. Governance. • Develop and implement a long-term Inuvialuktun • Take an evidence-based, decision-making language plan. CULTURE approach to policy development and advocacy. • Manage optimally the human, physical and financial resources of the Inuvialuit Corporate Affirm the traditions and culture of Inuvialuit as an everyday part of life. Group. •

Awareness• of Culture: Plan, manage, document and publicize significant events in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

1Inuvialuktun is a term that describes a group of languages: Sallirmiutun, Uummarmiutun, and Kangiryuarmiutun/Inuinnaqtun.

12 Annual Report On Official Languages GOALS (Continued)

• HISTORY

Arts• and Crafts: Showcase and celebrate Inuvialuit history. Develop a strategy that supports expanding • the IRC Craft Shop, e.g. opportunities for • Inuvialuit artisans. Digitize the archives and recordings to increase accessibility• and use: Social• and On the Land Activities: COPE archives and recordings, ICS archives Hold greater control over Inuvialuit culture • and recordings. by implementing the Inuvialuit Cultural Plan and programming working closely with the Develop and implement a digital photo archive • Cultural Committee, ICS, CDD, CEDO, HR, strategy. • Craft Shop, and the community corporations. Develop a plan to document the elders and • In collaboration with Community traditional knowledge. Corporations, develop a feasible plan for Publish more stories and legends. This will drum dance groups, traditional Inuvialuit always be ongoing. games, and on the land activities.

HIGHLIGHTS

Throughout the 2017-2018 fiscal began development of several other Thunder in Our Voices Project, and year, Inuvialuit Cultural Resource language and culture initiatives. also with Associate Professor Dr. Val Centre (ICRC) staff led planning These included a dictionary project, Marie Johnson who is working on sessions, dispersed funds to drum dance project, youth language the Shingle Point Residential School programs, and visited Beaufort Delta and mitt-making, and Adult Wolf— repatriation of Anglican Church communities to attend meetings, Raw to Product project. The team photos and documents. participate in programs, observe at ICRC also networks to help classes, provide translation services, educate and enhance Inuvialuktun and share resource materials. and cultural aspects of Inuvialuit. The ICRC have partnered with This past year, the ICRC offered three- universities such as the University times weekly Inuvialuktun classes of on the frequently updated for staff development, coordinated Digital North Library Website, with a wolf-hide tanning project, and the University of Victoria on the

Annual Report On Official Languages 13 Sahtú Dene Council

VISION GOALS SUPPORTING OBJECTIVE

• •

The North Increase the number of North Increase the number and culture will be strong Slavey speakers in the Sahtú, of people in the and people will be proud. and expand the domains in Sahtú who are able to Our children will know their which the North Slavey language understand, interpret and language and culture. There of the Sahtú are spoken. communicate in the North will be strong knowledge Slavey language. of Dene Laws for the whole community and for the youth. HIGHLIGHTS

“In 2017-18 the Sahtú Dene Council skills and North Slavey language workshop, traditional art and craft allocated funding directly to bands through planned cultural activities show, traditional clothing contest to hire local coordinators. Local in the communities. Some cultural for New Year’s Day, and a traditional coordinators ran language activities activities in the communities were: dress up contest.” and promoted the language in their cultural camps, net setting, rabbit community. One of the main goals snaring, traditional hunting, cooking was to teach our youth traditional traditional food, traditional medicine skills, so we focused on having our making, cultural event week, elders work directly with our youth. sewing and language class, hosting We also promoted traditional Dene Dene bingo for youth, terminology

Participants at the terminology workshop (image by Mary Ann Vital) Thankful for gathering (Image by Mary Ann Vital)

14 Annual Report On Official Languages Tłıchǫ̨ Government

VISION GOALS

The vision of the Tłı̨chǫ Government is that the Tłı̨chǫ The goal is to have the language used regularly on a daily basis language will be heard in all settings within the Tłı̨chǫ in all community settings; the home, at school, in government regıon, and that all communıty members, Tłı̨chǫ and non- and throughout the community. Through a variety of activities Tłı̨chǫ continue to learn and practice Tłı̨chǫ on a regular and projects geared for all ages, such as a Tłı̨chǫ Drama basis. We all need to share in the responsibility by actively group, an evening Tłı̨chǫ Radio Show, a Variety Night, Elder promoting the language, preserving the language, and interviews, regular updates to the Tłı̨chǫ Dictionary and Apps, celebrating the language by using the language as much as etc. we will strive to increase Tłı̨chǫ in the region. This will possible on a daily basis. If followed through, this will assist ensure that everyone is assisting with language revitalization families to become stronger in Tłı̨chǫ Yatı and hopefully one efforts to boost Tłı̨chǫ Yatı fluency strengthening our heritage day Tłı̨chǫ Yatı will be used as a first language again. language in this region. We must remember that success is only achieved through effort. HIGHLIGHTS

During the 2017-2018 fiscal year, the At the Northern Store in Behchokǫ̀, All Early Childhood programs in Tłı̨chǫ Government launched Phase community members can now scan the Region have fluent Tłı̨chǫ Yatı 1 of The Elders Biography Project in barcodes to hear the name of the speaking staff offering programs that each Tłı̨chǫ Community (Behchokǫ̀, food item in Tłı̨chǫ. Nora Wedzin incorporate Tłı̨chǫ language, culture Whatı̀, Gamètı̀, and Wekweetı̀) where spearheaded this project. Once the and way of life in the day to day the oldest members of the community user downloads the app and swipes programming. were interviewed to capture a story/ the barcode of the food item, they will biography on each Elder. hear the name of the food item twice During the winter months when in Tłı̨chǫ. This will assist many people the sewing program is in full swing Through the University of Victoria, to learn how to pronounce food Tłı̨chǫ sewing terminology and three linguistics courses (LING and other store items in our Tłı̨chǫ stories have been collected to add to 182, LING 159 and LING 259) were heritage language. the Tłı̨chǫ database. This collection offered this past year. Including the of words and stories will be used in courses offered in Behchokǫ̀ in 2015, The Tłı̨chǫ Government has also future sewing classes to teach new 111 students from Behchokǫ̀ have published a collection of important and beginner sewers. now taken one or more University Tłı̨chǫ legends identified in the Tłı̨chǫ of Victoria Certificate in Aboriginal History resource, a partnership A collection of TCSA promotional Language Revitalization courses. between the Tłı̨chǫ Community materials, such as charts and games, Services Agency, DeBeers and the have been republished to assist with The Canadian Indigenous Languages Tłı̨chǫ Government. The publication getting as much Tłı̨chǫ Yati in the and Literacy Development program consisted of transcriptions conducted home as possible. The charts have ran from July 10th -28th at the by students working on their Tłı̨chǫ colorful pictures with all text written University of Alberta in . writing skills. Three hundred in Tłı̨chǫ to generate interaction A total of 16 Tłı̨chǫ students were books were printed to share between the fluent speaker and enrolled in two courses during with the community. beginner speakers. Together they will the summer of 2017. Three Tłı̨chǫ work on keeping Tłı̨chǫ alive and well students received certificatıon in the home and community. this summer.

Annual Report On Official Languages 15 A workshop participant and map demonstrating the diversity and distribution of NWT Indigenous languages.

INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES AND EDUCATION SECRETARIAT

The Indigenous Languages and Education Secretariat (ILES) was established within the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to support the preservation, promotion and revitalization of Indigenous languages throughout the NWT and improve access to GNWT services in Indigenous languages. ILES provides support to regional Indigenous Governments and Indigenous language and culture-based education programs. The ILES also works closely with all GNWT departments to support them in their use of languages and efforts to offer

IndigenousThe ILES supports languages a number services NWT to the Indigenous public. Languages The following documents were of exciting territory-wide Framework and Action Plan: A foundational in the development initiatives including: Shared Responsibility of the Framework: • Special Committee Review of the Official Languages Act: One • The NWT Indigenous The 2003 The GNWT launched the Northwest Land, Many Voices; Languages Framework Territories Indigenous Languages and Action Plan: A Shared • Standing Committee on Framework – A Shared Responsibility Responsibility Government Operation’s Review of the (Framework), which was announced The 2009 Official Languages Act: Reality Check: • Indigenous Languages by the GNWT and federal ministers in Securing a Future for the Official Month; May 2017. The Framework outlines the Languages of the NWT • NWT Indigenous overall design for strengthening and • The 2010 NWT Aboriginal Languages Languages Facebook Page; supporting Indigenous languages in ; and the NWT by identifying a vision, goals Plan: A Shared Responsibility. • Indigenous Languages and priority areas. The Framework Broadcasting; shapes the overall blueprint for • Revitalizing Indigenous Each of these reports was written Indigenous languages for all people in Languages in Communities with extensive territory-wide all communities in the NWT to share Program; and, engagement, and reflects the voices the responsibility of Indigenous of Indigenous language experts, • Territorial Indigenous language revitalization through active Elders, and northerners. Languages Strategic promotion, preservation, celebration Initiatives. and use of Indigenous languages. 16 Annual Report On Official Languages SHARED VISION: An NWT where Indigenous languages are supported, respected and thriving as languages of communication by all people.

To achieve its vision, the Framework identifies two goals: language revitalization and language access, each with three priority areas: policy, advocacy, and programs and resources. LANGUAGE PRIORITIES REVITALIZATION LANGUAGE ACCESS

Policy helps explain how visions Establish a Establish a and goals can be turned into reality. Policy influences and affects comprehensive plan to comprehensive plan the way people use languages, and emphasize Indigenous to address access to can ensure that future generations language protection, services in Indigenous

POLICY have ongoing supports to create an environment where people can revitalization and languages. learn, communicate and celebrate modernization. their language.

There is an ongoing need to raise Acknowledge and Acknowledge and awareness across the NWT about Indigenous languages. People affirm the importance uphold the legal need accurate and up-to-date of Indigenous obligations to information to affect change and languages in the NWT. Indigenous languages to promote Indigenous languages. Residents, leaders and government across all levels of ADVOCACY employees are all responsible government. for promoting, protecting and revitalizing Indigenous languages.

The success of Indigenous Develop community Develop the resources languages in the NWT depends on the ability of residents to capacity in Indigenous and capacity to deliver communicate and contribute in language revitalization. services in Indigenous their language. Delivering programs languages. and developing resources will equip NWT residents with the skills, knowledge and confidence to support and strengthen the NWT’s Indigenous languages. PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS

In 2017-18, the Department of ECE continued work with its key Indigenous language partners on the accompanying Action Plan to support the Framework. Annual Report On Official Languages 17 Indigenous NWT Indigenous Languages Languages Month Facebook Page

Every year in March, territorial • Offering a series of Indigenous The ILES maintains the NWT residents, Indigenous Governments, language classes to ECE Indigenous Languages Facebook and school boards observe Indigenous Headquarters staff; and, page. The page connects Facebook Languages Month alongside the • Promoting the ‘My Language Opens users, including many NWT residents, GNWT. As always, it is a special time Doors’ social media contest on with news and resources on NWT to reflect on the fundamental link the NWT Indigenous Languages Indigenous languages, and shares between language and culture. Facebook page. language revitalization stories and Celebrating the Indigenous language promising practices. speakers in our communities GNWT Bilingual Employees GNWT Bilingual Employees allows us to raise the profile of Mollie Rose Anne Oliktoak Lucy Akoaksion this uniquely talented group of Language Specialist Clerk-Receptionist Beaufort Delta Education Council Northwest Territories Ulukhaktok Health and Social Services Authority essential role models. Inuinnaqtun, English Ulukhaktok Inuinnaqtun, English In 2017-18, the Department “I speak Inuinnaqtun to pass on my mother tongue and share my language – which was “It is important to provide services in of ECE celebrated Indigenous passed onto me by my parents, grandmother, Inuinnaqtun to serve as a for the siblings – so that it doesn’t become a patient, makes the patient more at ease, sleeping language. I love my language. I am more comfortable at their appointment; Languages Month by: thankful that it was passed onto me, and I and for the patient to understand the will continue to do so as long as I can.” quality of care they are receiving and make informed decisions of their care plan.”

During Indigenous Languages Month and During Indigenous Languages Month and • Recognizing Indigenous Rendez-vous de la francophonie, the GNWT wants Rendez-vous de la francophonie, the GNWT wants to acknowledge the valuable contributions to acknowledge the valuable contributions and Francophone bilingual of its bilingual employees. of its bilingual employees. GNWT employees in Bear Net, L’Aquilon, and News/ At your service, At your service, North advertisements, in your language! in your language! in partnership with the Francophone Affairs Secretariat; GNWT Bilingual Employees GNWT Bilingual Employees GNWT Bilingual Employees

Anna-Lee McLeod Tom Lockhart Justin Heron Aboriginal Language Specialist Teacher Beaufort Delta Education Council South Slave Division Education Council Aklavik RenewableNatural Resources Resource Officer II Fort Smith Gwich’in, English Department of Environment and Cree, English

As an Aboriginal Language Teacher, I feel Łutsel’ke “It is important to me to be able to offer I have an opportunity to be a positive Chipewyan, English services in Cree because I am the Cree role model in our students’ learning. I’ve teacher at JBT Elementary. When I was “In remote Indigenous communities a kid going through the school system now and my passion for the language as there is a huge language barrier. The there was no Indigenous language class wellbeen as in forthe the teaching students field is forstronger 15 years than ability to talk and understand the in the school. I take great pride in being ever and I enjoy seeing the successful is helpful in my able to teach students their language progress through my students’ eyes and work. Both parties always understand and seeing them take that language out voices. each other.” of the classroom and into the home.”

During Indigenous Languages Month and During Indigenous Languages Month and During Indigenous Languages Month and Rendez-vous de la francophonie, the GNWT wants Rendez-vous de la francophonie, the GNWT wants Rendez-vous de la francophonie, the GNWT wants to acknowledge the valuable contributions to acknowledge the valuable contributions to acknowledge the valuable contributions of its bilingual employees. of its bilingual employees. of its bilingual employees.

At your service, At your service, At your service, in your language! in your language! in your language!

2017-18 Indigenous Languages Bilingual Employees

18 Annual Report On Official Languages NWT Indigenous Languages Facebook Page Cover Photo

Check out the page today at: facebook.com/ 2017 - 18 HIGHLIGHTS: NWTIndigenousLanguages Most reached post: Indigenous Languages Broadcasting 16206 Facebook 273 users Total post Indigenous languages broadcasting comments provides a medium for the communication and transmission of vital information, and is a tool 172 to reclaim, revitalize and promote Posts Indigenous languages. The health of a language is linked to the number of domains in which it is used. 1664 2281 Total page likes by Total post likes: Radio and television are important end of fiscal year domains of language use that increase language vitality. Radio and television provide spaces where people can listen to their leaders, Elders, and other prominent people using the language. The Department of ECE supports releases in the NWT Indigenous Indigenous languages broadcasting languages, including the Native Indigenous language radio and through funding for communications Communications Society of the broadcasting societies also provide societies, and the Community NWT (NCS) and the Inuvialuit Broadcasting Support Program. Communication Society (ICS). an important source of employment FUNDING FOR for Indigenous people who speak COMMUNICATIONS SOCIETIES Combined, NCS and ICS received their language. Most importantly, it $878,000 from the Department raises the status of the language in a of ECE in 2017-18. time where English and French are In the NWT, contributions are dominant languages, visible in every provided to Indigenous Broadcasting aspect of daily life. organizations to ensure production and distribution of radio and television programming and news

Annual Report On Official Languages 19 NCS’s mission is to revitalize, strengthen and preserve our Indigenous cultures through radio and television communications technology and new mediums as developed. We will provide quality Indigenous programming to educate, inform, entertain and raise awareness of our cultures, languages, music, values and beliefs.

ICS celebrates the voices, Tusaayaksat Magazine celebrates Inuvialuit People, Culture and Heritage. people, heritage and culture of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region through publishing the magazine Tusaayaksat, various community broadcasting organizations • CBQM Radio Society broadcast media production to apply for $10,000, multi-year (Fort MacPherson)

initiatives and photography. contribution agreements, with a total • Hamlet of Paulatuk COMMUNITY annual program budget of $150,000. BROADCASTING SUPPORT • Tthets’ehk’e Déli First Nation In 2017-18, 11 communities applied for PROGRAM () funding and $110,000 was distributed Revitalizing Indigenous Languages to community radio stations. in Communities Programg The following communities/ In 2017-18, the Community community radio stations received Broadcasting Support funding through the Community Every Indigenous language community Program was established to Broadcasting Support Program in in the NWT finds themselves in a support operational costs of 2017-18: different stage of language revitalization community radio stations in terms of speakers, community in the NWT. Previously, the • Hamlet of Aklavik capacity, and education. While language radio stations had access to learning and revitalization occurs in a Community Broadcasting • CHFP Radio Society various forms and approaches, research Grant for a maximum of (Deh Gáh Got’ıe/) supports that programs that are $6,000 per station per • Denesuline Radio Society designed by or with communities show year, with a total budget of • Kátł’odeeche First Nation the greatest successes. $52,000. In order to better • Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation support community radio In 2017-18, the Revitalizing Indigenous stations and Indigenous • Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government Languages in Communities Program languages programing, the •  Broadcasting (RILIC) was established to support new Community Broadcasting Society CKHR community based Indigenous language Support Program allows 20 Annual Report On Official Languages RILIC Group Photo

In 2017-18, the following organizations were funded learning and revitalization training people how to speak, read or write through RILIC for a total of programs in the NWT. in Indigenous languages. These Over the course of RILIC, the $285,000: can include immersion language Department of ECE will fund a •  Aurora College programs and master-apprentice total of $2,250,000 in projects Community Learning Centre – programs, and can happen in that show strong partnership classrooms, community, or on the between community, government, • land;Revitalization or, Training Opportunities Language and cultural classes and/or educational institutions. • Tetlit Gwich’in Council – for young adults These projects fall under one of the following two streams focus on various areas of Verification of 500 Gwich’in Indigenous Language Learning, Indigenous language revitalization, terms for a new web dictionary, or Revitalization Training including language instructor and printing of 200 booklets for a Opportunities: training, linguistics training, • talkingDeh Gáh book Got’ı series.ę̨ First Nations - Ten • Indigenous Language Learning master-apprentice training, interpreter/translator training, and more. These programs may be community members participated happens all around us – it happens credentialed or non-credentialed, in a full time, six week Dehcho

in homes, schools, communities and are often offered through language immersion program. and on the land, with families, partnerships between community In December 2017, the Department of elders, students, leaders and and postsecondary institutions. ECE also hosted 16 regional language academics. Indigenous language coordinators and community language learning programs aim to teach Annual Report On Official Languages 21 advocates featured in the RILIC As part of RILIC, in March 2017, to reach a diverse group of learners. It Group Photo above. The two-day individuals from the Department of provides the foundation for language roundtable celebrated language ECE, Aurora College and the University activism, language learning, community revitalization activities that are of Victoria (UVic) met to discuss the language programming, and further happening across the NWT, and how possibility of offering the Certificate study in linguistics, education, and

communities and the Department of Aboriginal Language Revitalization related areas.” (UVic, 2018) of ECE can move forward as (CALR) program in the NWT. The goal partners. The roundtable included of the CALR program is “to support In February 2017, the Department of group discussion and learning communities in language revitalization ECE brought the Canadian Indigenous about tools and strategies for initiatives, by strengthening Languages and Literacy Development language revitalization and understanding of the complex context Institute (CILLDI) courses to the NWT.

was a launching point for RILIC and characteristics of language loss, The purpose of CILLDI is to support funding. The discussion that maintenance, and recovery, and by individuals at the community level took place at the meeting was developing knowledge of strategies and by providing basic training in captured through the graphic successes in language revitalization in linguistics, Indigenous languages,

design featured below and on communities. The program honours second language teaching, and other the next page. traditional knowledge and practices aspects of professional enhancement

RILIC Roundtable: This image captures the complexities of language revitalization, but shows the passion and opportunities for language success in the NWT

22 Annual Report On Official Languages Territorial Indigenous Languages • NWT Teachers’ Association Strategic Initiatives Program – such as language-related research and policy making. With this funding, The Territorial Indigenous Languages the NWT Teachers’ NWT language partners had the Strategic Initiatives program was Association supports their opportunity to attend University of established in 2017-18 to support Indigenous languages Alberta credit courses that contribute NWT organizations with strategic teachers to take part in to obtaining a Community Linguist language initiatives that contribute language instruction Certificate, and 21 educators from to language revitalization and have a courses and improve their across the NWT came together in territorial scope supporting three or • NWTlanguage Literacy skills. Council – to learn about developing more official Indigenous languages. In 2017-18, the following class materials and curriculum for organizations were funded The NWT Literacy Council Indigenous language learning. through the Territorial Indigenous hosted its fifth networking Languages Strategic Initiatives gathering for coordinators For more information on CILLDI, visit program for a total of $300,000: of the Indigenous language https://www.ualberta.ca/canadian- communities in the NWT. indigenous-languages-and-literacy- The gathering brought development-institute. together the coordinators along with one youth and

Intro to RILIC: RILIC funding will address many of the challenges communities face in funding targeted programs, and will also serve to inspire other communities to continue innovating and developing strategies that work for them.

Annual Report On Official Languages 23 Image provided by South Slave DEC



one elder representative to generations who have been made bannock, told stories and share information and ideas affected by the legacy of residential • taughtThree Feathers Indigenous (Audio) languages. – about language revitalization schools across the North, and who Funding • Yamózha Kúé Society – efforts. collectively embrace reconciliation supported the audio component Seven for the betterment of a northern of the Three Feathers film. One elders and 16 youth came society. In 2017-18, Elders and goal of Three Feathers was to together for the Dene Elders Youth Hand in Hand hosted cultural produce a resource that could and Youth Gathering that camps in the South Slave, Beaufort be used to support and enhance took place in Hay River on Delta and Sahtu, each lasting 3 days language revitalization throughout • Foster Family Coalition of the NWT – October 18 & 19, 2017. The with 12 participants. the NWT. The film was designed purpose of the meeting was to be produced in four different to seek input from Elders In 2017-18, Camp Connections languages: Chipewyan, Cree, Dëne

and youth on the direction of partnered with Dene Nahjo to • YatıéOn The (Slavey), Land Collaborative and English. – the structure of the provide more meaningful and • Elders and Youth Hand in Yamózha Kúé Society. relevant knowledge to campers, and The purpose of the On The Land Hand – to assist the campers with activities Collaborative is to pool multiple Elders and Youth relating to Indigenous languages funding resources to support on- Hand in Hand is a group and culture. Weekly guests were the-land programming across the led by five NWT Elders hired to share their knowledge of NWT, including many that explicitly who are whole heartedly the land: they set fish nets, snares, promote Indigenous language and traps, made animal calls, ran committed in dedicating learning and practice. For more tea boiling contests, built shelters, their knowledge, wisdom, information on the programs that and time to support future filleted fish, prepared dried fish,

24 Annual Report On Official Languages

were funded, visit • NWTwww.nwtontheland.ca. SPCA – Funding paid for the translation of information pamphlets and documents into all nine official Indigenous languages of the NWT. This included dog bite prevention, vaccinations, spay/ neutering and general animal • welfareYellowknife knowledge. Women’s Society – Students of the CILLDI Language Policy & Planning for Indigenous Language Communities course with Professor Dr. Sarah Shulist. (Image by ECE) Funding supported the translation Participant Agreement of the Yellowknife Housing First and Program Participant Program’s documents, as well • as three language programs: • Language and sewing class; • Language BINGO; and, Peer-led Language On The Land.

Students of the CILLDI Introduction to Linguistic Analysis for Indigenous Languages Revitalization course with Professor Michelle Garcia-Vega. (Image by ECE)

Students of the CILLDI Developing Class Materials and Curriculum for Indigenous Languages course with Professor Cheryl Herman. (Image by ECE)

Annual Report On Official Languages 25 INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES IN EDUCATION OVERVIEW

The Department of ECE has the responsibility to ensure that Indigenous languages and culture are being taught in all NWT schools.

Indigenous language and languages of the Indigenous peoples Indigenous Languages Procedures culture-based activities explore of the NWT, and that it honours all Manual, and an Indigenous

the languages, cultures, forms of traditional knowledge, ways Languages and Education Handbook histories, activities, skills, of knowing and worldviews. to support Indigenous languages knowledge, traditions and and cultures in schools. values of Indigenous peoples In 2017-18, the Department of ECE of the NWT, and contain continued to make progress on The Department of ECE also supported an Indigenous language the GNWT mandate to renew the Indigenous languages in education acquisition component. It Aboriginal Languages and Culture- through Indigenous Language is the expectation that the Based Education Directive by and Culture Curricula, Indigenous NWT education system drafting a Territorial School Funding Language Learning, Teaching and reflects, validates and Framework, Indigenous Languages Learning Centres, and Indigenous promotes the cultures and and Education Funding Policy, Language Instructor Training.

Dene Kede and Inuuqatigiit curriculum documents

26 Annual Report On Official Languages ILES Staff, Gayle Strikes With A Gun, teaches activities from the Our Languages curriculum to NWT teachers.

INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CURRICULA

In the Indigenous worldview, using the curriculum appropriate to of five language learning culture and language are theirOur Languages school and community. levels: Emergent, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and interconnected; culture is is a new competency- Capable – shifting away from language, and language is culture. based curriculum for Indigenous grade based assessment. To respect this worldview Language instruction in second and to assist educators, the Dene Kede language core Indigenous language Our Languages Department of ECE has created two During the 2017-18 school and Inuuqatigiit classes throughout the NWT. The year, the overarching curricula: draft curriculum is aligned with Dene Kede and Inuuqatigiit Curriculum Emergent level was . School staff are the two foundational documents, piloted in nine schools across expected to infuse this Indigenous , and the NWT. worldview in all of their teachings, focuses on student attainment INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE LEARNING The Education Act

of the NWT who are fluent speakers, and approach or immersion. In a core allows education bodies the ability availability of sufficient and suitable language approach, students attend to provide Indigenous language program materials. classes throughout the week in learning through first language one of the official languages for a instruction, immersion and second In most NWT schools, English is the minimum of 90 hours per year from language instruction. The level of main language of instruction and grades one through nine. language programming is largely an Indigenous language or French is dependent on sufficient demand, taught as a second language through In an immersion language approach, availability of qualified teachers either a second (core) language all regular instruction is taught in

Annual Report On Official Languages 27

an Indigenous language. three NWT communities: Behchokǫ̀, Additional Indigenous language

Indigenous language primary Inuvik and Fort Providence. courses for senior secondary immersion classes are in place in students, grades 10 to 12, are also available in some schools. TEACHING AND LEARNING CENTRES The mandate of regional Teaching Dene Kede or • and Learning Centres (TLCs) is the Inuuqatigiit • Conducting training for Commission scolaire francophone preservation and enhancement ; and, • Territories’ du Nord-Ouest DEA of Indigenous language and • culture through the promotion • Providing direction on program Detah DEA of literacy and the integration development through participation Ndılǫ DEA In 2017-18, $2,100,000 was Highlights from K’alemi Dene School of local language and culture in in committees and working groups. distributed to Divisional Education school programs. TLCs provide Councils (DECs) and District support to NWT schools for Education Authorities (DEAs) to K’alemi Dene School purchased a their Indigenous language and incorporate language learning into snowmobile to set up two different cultural programs, including: new and existing programming types of trapping camps for students through TLCs: from Junior Kindergarten to Grade Dene • 12. K’alemi Dene School also hired a • Developing language Kede and Inuuqatigiit Culture Instructor to help students resources to support • Beaufort Delta DEC from grades 5-8 sew fur mittens using ; • Dehcho DEC furs from previous trapping camps helped ensure that students are • Coordinating training • Sahtu DEC and some purchased furs. The funding for Indigenous language • South Slave DEC instructors; provided with opportunities to learn Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency • Coordinating on-the-land skills on the land and gain traditional • (TCSA) language and culture knowledge throughout the school year, camps; Yellowknife Education District No.1 while also developing their language • (YK1) DEA vocabulary, by speaking and practicing • Collaborating with Yellowknife Catholic Schools (YCS) their Indigenous language, in the language instructors in schools; DEA classroom, outside on the land, and with their families. • Planning for regional education conferences; INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING

In 2017-18, six students Aboriginal Language and Cultural met the program requirements, participated in the final Instructor Program (ALCIP) offered thereby earning their ALCIP diploma year of the 2-year full time in . Four students successfully in June, 2017.

28 Annual Report On Official Languages The Hay River Public Library received funding to include more Indigenous Language Resources for NWT residents.

Students from K’alemi Dene School participate in trapping camps to gain language, traditional knowledge, and learn on-the-land skills. (Image submitted by K’alemi Dene School)

Annual Report On Official Languages 29 GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES OVERVIEW

Every NWT resident has the of government institutions in delivered in Indigenous right to access the same high Indigenous languages. Currently, • languages; Official Languages Act quality public services. In the not all services are readily available Radio and print advertising in NWT, the for speakers of the NWT’s official • Indigenous languages; names nine official Indigenous Indigenous languages, but work is Official Indigenous languages languages, alongside English ongoing to improve this situation. Languages Act The GNWT has a number of ways interpretation and translation and French. The • to support government services in services; guarantees that Indigenous languages, including: any member of the public has Government signage in Indigenous • • the right to communicate languages; and with, and to receive available Government Indigenous languages Indigenous Bilingual Bonus & services from, regional, • programs and initiatives; Language Allowance for GNWT area and community offices Government news and media employees. GOVERNMENT INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES In 2017-18, GNWT • departments, board and support to this office. This past Providing technical assistance agencies led a number year, OROGO created a card that to academic institutions of Indigenous languages described its mandate in all the regarding recordings for a programs and initiatives, • official languages of the NWT. Délı̨ nę ethnographic music including: • The Dehcho Department of Lands book project; • The Department participated in a 5 day Dene Providing technical training in Zhatié language immersion camp support of a Tłı̨chǫ oral history • of Justice (DOJ) at Jean Marie River in June 2017 to project; The Department of ECE Culture is responsible for help improve client relations. Tour for adult language and Heritage Division through the administration of the learners from Fort Providence, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Office of the Regulator of focusing on oral history and Centre (PWNHC) led a number of Oil and Gas Operations • language recordings; programs and initiatives, including: (OROGO) and provides Advice and initial outreach official languages to the Indigenous Languages and Education Secretariat regarding technical assistance;

30 Annual Report On Official Languages Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle awards

• •

Digitization of Tłı̨chǫ language Délı̨ nę Land Corporatıon and promoting the arts, • recordings for the Cultural Mappıng Project, cultures and heritage in the

Places section of Whatı̀ annual Traditional Northwest Territories. The • the Culture and Heritage Knowledge On the Land 2017 awards recognized: • • Division, ECE; Canoe Trip, Youth Category: Dang-Dang • Nu wes kéne xa Fashion Pehdzeh Ki First Nations Gruben, Inuvik Show - Dene couture Caribou Hide preparation and Individual Category: Kiera- • designs by Lutselk’e artist Drum Making workshop, • Dawn Kolson, Yellowknife Tishna Marlowe with Sambaa K’e First Nation Story- Elder Category: simultaneous Dëne Sųłıné • telling Project, Catherine Bell Sanguez, Jean Yatıé interpretation by James • • Yamozha Kue Society Hand Marie River Marlowe; • Games Instructional video, Group Category: JBT Dance The contents for the iPad- • Sahtu Renewable Resources Group, Fort Smith based virtual gallery Board Délı̨ nę Song, Stories and translation aid originally Minister’s Choice: Dene Nahjo, • Games project, and • produced for French visitors, Yellowknife; was translated into Wıı̀lıı̀deh Dedats’eetsaa: Tłıc̨ hǫ For the Senior Citizen Research and Training Supplementary Benefit (SCSB), , Inuvialuktun, Gwich’in From Gametì to Itseetì and and Cree (pending). Audio Institute - Reviving Trails the income Security Programs readings for Wıı̀lıı̀deh and division produced information in • Inuvialuktun were also back; posters, brochures and website in • recorded (7650 words x 4); Minister’s Culture and Heritage all official languages. The Cultural Contributions Circle awards - The awards • The Department of Industry, Tourism Program funded the following honour those who have and Investment (ITI) has several projects in 2017-18: contributed to preserving staff members that speak Indigenous

Annual Report On Official Languages 31 Nu wes kéne xa Fashion Show featuring Dene couture designs by Lutselk’e artist Tishna Marlowe.

• (DHSS) languages and provide she speaks to clients about all The Department of Health and services in those languages. ITI programs, including SEED, Social Services developed For• example: Arts, Traditional Economy, and and issued the “Sahtu Glossary an Aboriginal Tourism Agriculture. She has found it Cancer Terminology,” which can Development Officer helpful to speak North Slavey be accessed through the “Let’s did a presentation at to explain the program, the Talk About Cancer” website, requirements for the eligibility as well as the audio in three the Tulita Tourism • and final reports. Sahtúǫt’ı̨ ne Kede (North Slavey) Workshop in Sahtúǫt’ı̨ ne Kede (North Slavey). The Department of Finance dialects: Délı̨ ne dialect, He regularly discusses drafted the Bilingual Designation dialect and • tourism development Policy and Guidelines to assist Tulita dialect.

and the process for ITI Deputy Heads and Senior At DHSS, activities were programs in Sahtúǫt’ı̨ ne Managers in the GNWT to completed to celebrate Kede (North Slavey) to designate positions within the and promote Indigenous tourism stakeholders and public service as bilingual- Languages• Month: •  prospective applicants. required; evaluate and assess In the Fort Smith Region, The Manager of Trade employee language proficiency; NTHSSA hosted an Indigenous and Investment for the and determine whether an coffee break where one of the (North Slavey - Sahtu speaks Sahtúǫt’ı̨ ne employee should be assigned employees talked about her fluent in the Deline Got’ine Kede a bilingual preferred status. time in the bush and on the trap dialect) Approval and implementation line. At the end, there was a . Every time she are pending. draw for local crafts travels to Délı̨ ne as door prizes. 32 Annual Report On Official Languages • In the Beaufort Delta

of stakeholders. In November material for its “Worth Region, the NTHSSA hosted 2017, the WSCC, in partnership It” campaign in Inuktitut • language games. with the Canadian Centre for and Inuinnaqtun. An The Workers’ Safety and Occupational Health and Safety official languages policy Compensation Commission (CCOHS) launched the Inuktitut is now being developed (WSCC) has been committed version of its free online WHMIS for the organization to to extending the reach of its 2015 e-course. The organization better guide its internal services to an increased number also created all new promotional language operations. GOVERNMENT NEWS AND MEDIA DELIVERED IN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES When possible, the GNWT endeavors to deliver news (Inuktitut) • Dene Zhatıé language. Indigenous language and important information in . This includes Indigenous Languages. In 2017-18, The DHSS began planning a information on its highlights included: cannabis public education website, media releases, • awareness campaign in the (SafetyNet) 2017/18 fiscal year. This monthly newsletter The Department of Lands visited awareness campaign included the and resources select communities with the for workers, such as (MACA) and development of radio ads/audio Department of Municipal and files which would be translated codes of practice and Community Affairs into all official languages and weekly record books. Finance regarding tenure and distributed/made public in the The organization’s

taxation; these meetings were 2018/19 fiscal year. These audio Strategic and Corporate www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/ difficult to schedule leaving little files can be found at: plan and Annual Report is opportunity to do radio or poster cannabis/resources available in Inuktitut and ads in any language, including an • Inuinnaqtun. Indigenous language. There was The WSCC continues to make a one exception; radio advertising concerted effort to publish its ran in Fort Providence in the news and media in at least one RADIO AND PRINT ADVERTISING IN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES GNWT departments regularly make announcements and run announcers. A public engagement the Inuvik Drum on October 26th advertisements in Indigenous session on enhancements to North in Inuvialuktun and on Tuesday languages on local radio stations Arm Territorial Park was also October 31st in Gwich’in. The and in local newspapers. In 2017- promoted through posters that purpose of the advertising was to 18, highlights included: • were done in English and Tłı̨chǫ. invite local community members • The Department of Infrastructure to participate in the official ribbon ITI was in ongoing contact with announced the official opening of cutting and festivities. In addition CKLB and solicited public service the Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Highway to newspaper advertising, posters announcements in Indigenous on November 15, 2017, which were created in local Indigenous languages from their language included pre-event advertising in languages and distributed prior

Annual Report On Official Languages 33 to the event, and banners featuring ads were also placed in Dëne Sųłıné major promotional poster for the Inuvialuktun and Gwich’in Yatıé (Chipewyan) and Tłı̨chǫ its Young Workers campaign languages were set up on-stage in for its Mine Rescue Competition translated into all official • both Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. and in 9 Indigenous languages languages. The WSCC seeks to The WSCC continues to place for an awareness campaign. begin tailoring its advertising in newspaper ads and flyers in The organization recently did Indigenous languages based on the Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun. Radio a small pilot project to have a communities it will be reaching. INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES Interpretation and translation services enable the GNWT the Circuit Court in the Tłı̨chǫ • ENR also tabled the 2016-2020 NWT to improve NWT residents’ region. Tłı̨chǫ interpretation Water Stewardship Action Plan, and access to public information services were also used 27 provided audio summaries available and content in Indigenous times through Legal Aid. For in each of the 11 official languages: languages. In 2017-18, example, a Legal Aid court worker http://www.nwtwaterstewardship. highlights included: assisted a Probation Officer with ca/news/2016-2020-action-plan- Interpretation skills to review the audio-summaries-now-available-11- • The Department of Executive report. nwt-official-languages.

and Indigenous Affairs (EIA) • The DOJ also offered Inuktitut • At the Department of Education, oversees the Government interpretation services once in Culture and Employment (ECE), a Service Offices, based in 21 Legal Services. multilingual kiosk was created for communities across the NWT. • The DOJ provided Indigenous the RCMP Special Constables Exhibit Government Service Officers language interpretation services in at the Prince of Wales Northern speak a local Indigenous Territorial Court through contracted Heritage Centre, offering visitors the language and provide interpreter/translators in Tłı̨chǫ opportunity to hear the Indigenous services in that language, (49 times), Sahtúǫt’ı̨ne Kede (North names for special constables. These when required. Slavey) (1 time), Dene Zhatıé (South terms were translated and recorded • EIA’s Aboriginal Slavey) (1 times) and Dëne Sųłıné over summer 2017. The exhibit was Consultation and Yatıé (Chipewyan) (5 times). Tłı̨chǫ fully translated into all 11 official • Relations division interpretation services were also languages. (2250 words x 11) offers interpretation provided 5 times in the Supreme The contents for the iPad-based services for the Annual Court of the Northwest Territories. virtual gallery translation aid Intergovernmental Council • The Department of Environment and originally produced for French meeting, if requested. Boots on the Ground: Natural Resources (ENR) translated visitors, was translated into Traditional Knowledge Monitoring of • The Department of Justice the video Wıı̀lıı̀deh, Inuvialuktun, Gwich’in, (DOJ) responded to 400 Caribou and Nēhiyawēwin (Cree)

inquiries in Tłı̨chǫ (phone in Tłı̨chǫ Yatıì. You can check (pending). Audio readings for youtube.com/ v=pZJ5BbkEkCU& calls/in person/written) out the video here: Wıı̀lıı̀deh and Inuvialuktun were last year. These inquiries feature=youtu.be also recorded. (7650 words x 4) were made in the Tłı̨chǫ Court Worker Office and

34 Annual Report On Official Languages •

Wıı̀lıı̀deh Dene Yatıé (Chipewyan), Gwich’in, ongoing interpretation exhibit catalogue, website, and Inuvialuktun, Sahtúǫt’ı̨ne Kede services in four other videos were translated into (North Slavey) and Dene Zhatıé languages used most often Wıı̀lıı̀deh and Inuvialuktun. • (South Slavey). by patients: Sahtúǫt’ı̨ne • (8700 words x 2) The Department of Infrastructure Kede (North Slavey), The Speaker of the Legislative (INF) arranged to have a Tłı̨chǫ Dene Zhatıé (South Assembly speaks Tłı̨chǫ daily in Elder deliver an opening prayer, Slavey), Dëne Sųłıné the Chamber. There was a Tłı̨chǫ and provided translation Yatıé (Chipewyan), and • interpreter in the Chamber every throughout the Bundle 3 Funding Inuktitut. day during Session during the • Announcement in Behchokǫ̀. The Workers’ Safety 2017/2018 reporting period. On In the Fort Smith Region, the and Compensation a rotational basis, nterpretation Northwest Territories Health Commission (WSCC) aims in Dëne Sųłıné Yatıé (Chipewyan), and Social Services Authority to have as much of its Sahtúǫt’ı̨ne Kede (North Slavey), (NTHSSA) had the need for Dene external-facing material Dene Zhatıé (South Slavey), translated into at least Zhatıé (South Slavey) translation Inuinnaqtun, Inuvialuktun, during an emergency. A translator four languages: Inuktitut,

Inuktitut, and Gwich’in was from the GNWT Interpreter/ Inuinnaqtun, English and • also provided. Translator list was contacted French. The organization The Department of Industry, and was able to provide has recently undergone Tourism and Investment (ITI) • immediate translation. the implementation of a translation management regularly engages with the A contract with CanTalk to provide system to be able to public. Major projects for 2017- interpretation services is in generate a larger number 18 included engagement on the place at NTHSSA for all regions of translations while Mineral Resources Act, PRA/ of Significant Demand, including maintaining cost efficiency. OGOA, and REDI (Resources and • Stanton Territorial Hospital. Energy Development Initiatives) The system supports all 11 The Stanton Territorial Hospital • open houses. Engagement was official languages. hired a full time Tłįchǫ Cultural also held for the Oil and Gas The WSCC completed over Liaison worker for the Indigenous Operations Act. ITI arranged 15 200 translations into Inuktitut Wellness Program, as a majority of engagements which included and Inuinnaqtun. Eight of its patients speak Tłįchǫ. The Stanton Indigenous interpretation in the codes of practice are now Territorial Hospital also offers following languages: Dëne Sųłıné available in Inuktitut. GOVERNMENT SIGNAGE IN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES •

Communities and Government revised its vision, mission All Department of Justice (DOJ) departments have been increasing and values, and created all offices and correctional facilities their usage of Indigenous languages new signage in Inuktitut and have signage offering service in on public signage throughout Inuinnaqtun for its reception official Indigenous languages the NWT. In 2017-18, highlights area and internal office. The and in French and English. In included:• organization added Inuktitut to Yellowknife, all main floor signs The Workers’ Safety and its 2018 Mine Rescue Competition are in French and English and Compensation Commission signage and advertising. throughout the Courthouse, Annual Report On Official Languages 35 • The Department of

Coroner’s Office, and Legal Investment updated signage

Registries, and in Departmental •including:  Infrastructure’s (INF) offices at the Yellowknife Centre Internal signage at the Scotia communications team developed East building. For buildings Centre Building was translated Language Guidelines for all 27 outside of Yellowknife, the into Tłı̨chǫ using the Wıı̀lıı̀deh GNWT airport main entrances, appropriate Indigenous language dialect. with the expectation that all signs of the designated area is used will be updated when due for The Hay River office also had with French and English. • replacement. new signage installed with • In 2017/2018, DOJ translated the relevant languages of the INF also created highway signage seven signs into Tłı̨chǫ for • designated area. in both Inuvialuktun and Gwich’in various buildings and facilities. in Inuvik (at the start of the Two signs for the Prospector’s An English, French, Inuvialuktun Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Highway) Trail in the North Slave region and Gwich’in sign was also and at the end of the Highway (in were installed in Tłı̨chǫ, English created for the new Inuvik • Tuktoyaktuk). • The Department of and French. Probation Office. Directory signage in the New • When the Department of Human Government Building was Resources amalgamated with Environment and Natural installed in the 2017-2018 fiscal Department of Finance in May Resources (ENR) is working year. This signage included 2017, signage had to be updated to to update the internal signage English, French and Tłįchǫ. The reflect amalgamation. Signs were in the Scotia Centre Building new Stanton Territorial Hospital translated into the appropriate for• The floors Department 3, 5, 6, and of 7. building has an exterior sign that Indigenous languages as per the includes all 11 official languages. designated areas. Industry, Tourism and INDIGENOUS BILINGUAL BONUS & LANGUAGE ALLOWANCES NWT Teachers Union of Northern Workers Association Collective Agreement As prescribed by the is required to provide adequate As prescribed by the Collective Agreement service. A bilingual bonus may also , , the be offered if the ability to speak a the GNWT also provides a language

GNWT provides a bilingual second official language is an asset allowance to teachers who are bonus to employees to the position, i.e. when an employee proficient in the use of one or more who use two or more of occasionally provides assistance of the official Indigenous languages the official languages in another official language. Under of the NWT. of the NWT, with the both circumstances, the community

exception of employees or region the position serves Teachers who qualify receive an who have assigned determines the language used in annual language allowance when duties of translation and the position. using the skill in any or all of the • interpretation in their job following areas: descriptions. The bilingual In 2017-18, 168 GNWT employees • Actual classroom teaching; bonus is offered where received an Indigenous language • Individual student counseling; the ability to speak more bilingual bonus. Parent teacher interviews; than one official language

36 Annual Report On Official Languages •

• Extracurricular activities; and/or In 2017-18, 53 teachers received an School/community relations. Indigenous Language Allowance. NUMBER OF DEPARTMENT/ AGENCY/ BOARD EMPLOYEES Education, Culture and Employment 7 Environment and Natural Resources 8 Executive and Indigenous Affairs 9 Industry, Tourism and Investment 7 Infrastructure 2 Justice 2 Municipal and Community Affairs 2 Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council 2 Dehcho Divisional Education Council 6 Sahtu Divisional Education Council 3 South Slave Divisional Education Council 10 Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency - Education 21 Northwest Territories Health and 34 Social Services Authority Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency - HSS 53 NWT Housing Corporation 2 TOTAL: 168

TOTAL INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE BILINGUAL BONUS PAID $154,109

NUMBER OF DEPARTMENT/ AGENCY/ BOARD EMPLOYEES Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council 11 Dehcho Divisional Education Council 8 Sahtu Divisional Education Council 10 South Slave Divisional Education Council 8 Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency - Education 16 TOTAL: 53

TOTAL INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE ALLOWANCE PAID 274,339.60

Annual Report On Official Languages 37 GNWT LANGUAGE PROGRAM EXPENDITURES - INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES (2017 - 2018)

In 2017-2018, ECE spent $10,943,000 to fund the Indigenous Languages and Education Secretariat to support language programming and services across the NWT.

Of this amount, $4,885,000 was provided directly to regional Indigenous Governments to support the implementation of their Regional Indigenous Language Plans. DESCRIPTION ACTUAL EXPENDITURES

Indigenous languages services and programs $6,058,000 Contributions to Indigenous Governments $4,885,000 TOTAL: $10,943,000

This amount does not include the expenditures incurred by Education Bodies to deliver Indigenous Languages and Education programming.

38 Annual Report On Official Languages Annual Report On Official Languages 39 PART II: FRENCH HOW WE APPROACH OUR WORK

FRENCH LANGUAGE SERVICES AT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES FRENCH LANGUAGE SERVICES COORDINATORS The general responsibility of the French Language Services Coordinators (FLSCs) is to champion and coordinate the provision of quality French language communications and services by their respective departments, boards and agencies.

STRATEGIC PLAN ON FRENCH LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICES The Strategic Plan on French Language Communications and Services (the Strategic Plan) guides the implementation of improved services to the francophone community accessing GNWT services. The plan includes three frameworks which cover all aspects of French language service delivery in the four significant demand communities (Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik and Yellowknife), as well as roles and responsibilities of the GNWT

40 Annual Report On Official Languages FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS SECRETARIAT The Francophone Affairs Secretariat (the Secretariat) offers advice, tools and support to departments and agencies of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) for the purpose of developing plans on French Language Communications and Services. In addition, the Secretariat delivers French language translation services to government institutions such as GNWT departments, boards, agencies and the Legislative Assembly. The Secretariat manages Services TNO.

GNWT STANDARDS FOR FRENCH LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICES The GNWT Standards for French Language Communications and Services (the Standards) assist employees in the delivery of communications and services in French to the public. The Standards include information on voicemail, signage, publication format, advertisements and French translation.

Annual Report On Official Languages 41 PROGRESS FOR FRENCH LANGUAGE SERVICES

Government institutions such as departments, boards, and agencies improved communications and services in French in various ways during the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The 2017-2018 Annual Report on Official Languages outlines many of these improvements for the GNWT. Progress is structured aroundGOAL the 1: goals LEADERSHIP of the Operating ANDPlans on POLICY French Language DIRECTION Communications and Services. Government institutions have active leadership Secretariat in collaboration with public. FSLC are working together with and policy direction for FLSCs, Access to Information and the Secretariat to ensure appropriate communications and Protection of Privacy (ATIPP) and follow-up to public feedback is received. services in French. legal counsel. The form is used to Working with the Department of Public Feedback record any formal complaint filed in Health and Social Services (DHSS) person, in writing, by e-mail or by and the Department of Justice (DOJ), phone. Receiving and responding to the Secretariat ensured that the form A public feedback form public feedback in an important part includes specific language to protect was developed by the of improving GNWT communication client health and social services Francophone Affairs and service delivery in French to the and other information as required

42 Annual Report On Official Languages L’Aquilon by legislation. Promotional tools Interviews with , the Conseil were offered in Yellowknife such as cards, stickers, web content de développement économique to 14 employees and to six and ads were created. Train the (CDÉTNO), the Fédération franco- employees in Inuvik through Trainer sessions were offered by the ténoise (FFT), and the Collège remote teaching. A training AuditSecretariat and Evaluation to FLSCs. nordique francophone were also held. module for new employees about official languages The findings and recommendations of was developed by Human As required by the Strategic Plan, the audit and evaluation will influence Resources and will be a contract was awarded to an updates of the Standards and the launched in 2018-2019. This independent third party to conduct Strategic Plan. The final reports of training will be part of the systematic compliance audits the audit and evaluation will be made onboarding training sessions and an evaluation of the GNWT’s publicGNWT in Training 2018-2019. available to all new GNWT implementation of its Strategic Plan. employees with suggestions The objective of the compliance audit for improvement considered was to determine if the requirements Various training opportunities were where appropriate. of the GNWT Standards for French provided by GNWT Departments. Communications and Services were Topics included monitoring and The French Coordinating being met at targeted points of service reporting, orientation for new FLSCs, Committee of the Health of the GNWT. French Active Offer, inviting and and Social Services responding to public feedback, and a System met for two days The company, Grant Thornton, was module on the Standards as part of of workshops, training and the successful proponent for the the Management Series offered by the strategic planning. Staff evaluation and audit contract, and Department of Finance (DOF), Human from the Secretariat provided began work on this project in mid- Resources branch. Evaluations of training on topics including November 2017. The scope of the training completed by employees who active offer, public feedback, implementation of the Strategic audit was limited to the communities received training showed a Plan, as well as its audit and of Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik of satisfaction in bilingual employees and Fort Smith, and was performed from October to December and from evaluation. on points of service such as general January to March. Training sessions medical assistance; information and support for taxation; emergency measures communications; legal assistance and access to court hearings.

Interviews and surveys were conducted among key personnel across GNWT departments, boards and agencies. The evaluation involved input from a number of stakeholders such as Deputy Ministers, FLSCs, staff from the Secretariat, and Corporate Communications.

Annual Report On Official Languages 43 The Advisor, Human Resources and governance offered by Aurora College French Language Services provided and education bodies of the NWT. Where five information / refresher training required, contribution agreements sessions on the French Active were established to ensure that such Offer to new employees, including communications and services will be regional offices in significant demand offered in compliance with the Standards. communities.Contribution agreements with NWT Target activities of these institutions are education bodies and Aurora College compiled in the Operating Plan of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE). During the reporting period, assessments were conducted of communications and services related to administrative and

44 Annual Report On Official Languages GOAL 2: AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY Government institutions have Bilingual Bonus Government news increased capacity to offer and delivered in French provide communications and services in French. The GNWT provides a bilingual bonus to employees who use two or more of Government institutions Increase the prevalence and the official languages of the NWT. The issue news releases (Media awareness of French language bilingual bonus is offered where the Advisories, Statements services through active offer, ability to speak more than one official and Ministerial Activities communications, printed and language is required to provide Advisories) in both English electronic materials, and by adequate service. A bilingual bonus and French to keep the increasing the capacity of the public may also be offered if the ability to francophone community service to offer services in French. speak a second official language is an informed about a range asset to the position. of issues and government programs and services.

DEPARTMENT/ AGENCY/ BOARD NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

Aurora College 1 Beaufort Delta District Education Authority 1 Business Development and Investment Corporation 1 Commission scolaire francophone 5 Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) 15 Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) 9 Executive and Indigenous Affairs (EIA) 3 Finance (FIN) 7 Hay River Health and Social Services Authority 15 Health and Social Services (HSS) 6 Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) 4 Infrastructure (INF) 12 Justice (JUS) 25 Lands 3 Legislative Assembly 1 Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) 1 Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority 27 NWT Housing Corporation (NWTHC) 1 Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) 4 TOTAL: 141

TOTAL EXPENDITURE (BILINGUAL BONUS) $144,109.49

Annual Report On Official Languages 45 Radio and print advertising in French ADVERTISING DOLLARS IN FRENCH LANGUAGE MEDIA Government institutions regularly put $290,000 as L’Aquilon advertisements in newspapers such $280,000 , the territorial weekly $270,000 newspaper, and on Radio Taïga. Examples of 2017-2018 French $260,000 language advertising and $250,000 promotional campaigns: $240,000

$230,500

• “N’ayez pas la langue dans votre $220,000 2015 - 2016 2016 - 2017 2017 - 2018 poche” advertisements for “Votre avis GTNO” • Promotion of the Business Development and Investment • FireSmart • The GNWT 50 Bilingual/Multimedia Corporation’s (BDIC) activities Preparedness Day Commemorative Project during Small Business Week • Is Your Campfire Out? • National Aboriginal Day • eWaste drop-off banner • The launch of new guidelines for • Cabinet Open House in Yellowknife • Water Stewardship Strategy Visual Identity Program branded and Photo Contest bilingual vehicle decals 2017-2018 GNWT TRANSLATION SERVICES WORD COUNTS, BY DEPARTMENT

1,000,000

100,000

10,000 2 5 7 3 1 4 1,000 DEIA ECE ENR FINANCE HSS INF IT JUSTICE TRANSLATION - LEGAL JUSTICE LANDS ASSEMBLY6 LEGISLATIVE MACA WSCC

1includes Aurora College, Commission scolaire francophone and YK1 2includes Liquor Licensing Board 3includes Health Authorities 4includes BDIC 5includes Rental Officer 6includes Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Adjudication Panel, ATIPP Commissioner, Elections NWT, Conflict of Interest Commissioner and Languages Commissioner 7includes Surface Right Board *The NWTHC did not submit any translation requests in 2017-2018

46 Annual Report On Official Languages •

Opioid Awareness Campaign: During the 2017–2018 promoted through posters, videos, fiscal year, 2,503,816 • radio, TV ads, questionnaires words were translated by 758 Bilingual Parks Poster templates GNWT French Translation Number of were created and distributed to the Services, the Department translation requests • regions of Justice Legal Translation of job posters Services and the Workers’ All NWT Parks signage was Safety and Compensation reviewed and translated when and Commission. The GNWT • where necessary French Translation Services 102 New signage at the renovated translated 1,988,827 Number of news Inuvik Probation Office and at words for 35 government releases translation the adult unit of the North Slave institutions. • requests Correctional Complex. Interpretation is offered by government DOJ’s Family Information Liaison institutions according to Unit created an office sign, the Standards. Here are a banner, a pamphlet and an some examples for the advertisement in French this year 4484 • 2017-2018 fiscal year where to promote their services. Number of translation French interpretation was requests by GNWT The Community Justice division provided: French Translation contracts Victims Services Services programs through appropriate organizations in the NWT. Community Justice provided family violence information by reprinting French materials such as a Staying 22,967 Safe fact sheet, a Sexual Assault Number of words help book for teens in the NWT, a translated for social Court Orders for Safety fact sheet, media Staying Safe booklet, NWT Victims Services pamphlet, and a Victim Impact Statement Forms. Translation and 141 Interpretation Services Employees who received Translation services enable bilingual bonus. government institutions to increase a 4.4 % increase the quantity of public information and from 2016-2017 content available in French as well as to understand correspondence and documents they receive in French from the francophone community.

Annual Report On Official Languages 47 • • GNWT French Translation Services GNWT / FFT Consultation and Number of bilingual highway signs Notable Translation Projects • Cooperation Committee meeting • was increased. NOMBRE A hearing was conducted by the Many signs, advertising, and RANK TITLE DE MOTS NWT Rental Officer other public communication were New Initiatives Job Posters and Job provided in French for the opening 1 161,123 Descriptions Examples of government • of the Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Highway. NWT Arts Website institutions introducing new 2 65,168 TAMI (Talking about Mental Illness) Content and Forms French language initiatives in • was offered in French. MACA Website 3 48,015 2017–2018: content During Les Rendez-Vous de la GNWT Mandate Francophonie (March 2018), the 4 and Website 41,699 • Books distributed to public Northwest Territories Health and Content libraries in Hay River, Inuvik, Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) 5 News Releases 41,535 Fort Smith and Yellowknife are - Beaufort Delta Region celebrated also available to all residents by organizing various activities such Votes and Proceedings of 6 37,094 through the NWT Interlibrary as a lunch Franco-Santé, a French the Legislative Loan Program. • spelling bee and a “cabane à sucre”. Assembly • Testing for bilingual required The NTHSSA - Fort Smith Region 7 Family Law Guide 35,714 positions and employees with offered French Coffee Breaks, had 2016 and 2017 bilingual preferred status was 8 25,938 a booth to promote availability of Public Accounts completed. French Language services in French at the Health PWNHC – RCMP Proficiency Testing is now part Fair, and offered activities for 9 Special Constable 25,016 Exhibit of regular hiring process for the Semaine nationale de la Parenting after bilingual required positions. • 10 23,192 francophonie. Separation Guide • Bilingual Designation Policy A French telephone mediation GNWT 50 Website for GNWT employees was 11 and related 22,508 session was organized through the drafted. materials Family Law Mediation program. The • French Language Refresher ITI – Northernmost program is a voluntary free service 12 Host Training 20,866 Training for employees which offers a cooperative approach Materials aiming at improving their to solving legal problems, and is now 13 Health Fact Sheets 20,677 language skills. • available in French by telephone. • A training module for new ITI – REDI The Parenting After Separation 14 Campaign 19,743 employees about Official Materials program released updated Languages was developed French materials (brochure, Let’s Talk About by Strategic Human 15 Mental Illness 19,434 poster, advertising and website Resources. Training information) about its services • Training sessions on the to the public. The workshops are Public Feedback Form were open to any adult who wishes to provided to employees learn more about parenting after a of public point of service • separation or divorce. located in Yellowknife, Hay The Northwest Territories River, Fort Smith Housing Corporation (NWTHC) and Inuvik. has a new primary point of contact for individuals seeking service 48 Annual Report On Official Languages in French. New publications

• NWTHC contracts issued for work The 2017–2018 fiscal year saw • Climate Change Strategic in Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, and a number of new government Framework – Draft for Yellowknife are now issued in both publications made available in Discussion French, a selection of which are English and French. • Field Guide to Bumble presented here: • Workers’ Safety & Compensation Bees of the Northwest Commission (WSCC) has Territories implemented an internal translation • Publication of the BDIC’s quarterly • Wildfire Impacts on management system to increase Program Activity Reports in French the North Slave Region productivity, cost efficiency and and two bilingual newsletters were Ecosystem – video ensure compliance. published • Caribou identification – if • WSCC released two new online • The Apprenticeship, Trades and you’re not sure, DON’T services in French and in English Occupational Certification Strategy SHOOT – postcard on its e‐Business platform, WSCC was drafted and released in French Connect. Employers are now able to • The Mackenzie Valley • The Immigration Strategy was translated and made set up preauthorized payments and Highway booklet was drafted and released in French manage their accounts at their convenience. • NWT Sports Fishing Guide 2018-19 available publicly

BY THE NUMBERS

• • 4 applications to the NWT Nominee Program • 6 people were served by Employment Standards • Since 2012, 2.04% of approved nominees identified themselves as francophone • foreign nationals • More than 700 communications in French were handled by Teacher Certification • 16 clients served in French at Hay River ECE Service Centre • 1135 books purchased by the NWT Public Library system 750 students served in French by Heritage Education and Public Programming, • Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre • Approximately 20 educators of French language/immersion attended NWT • JK/K Play-based Training and In-service sessions. • 289 GNWT employees self-identified as French speakers • 42 NTHSSA employees received Active Offer training in the Yellowknife Region • 3 students spoke in French during the 2018 Youth Parliament • 1 request for a land lease contract in French 677 number of social media posts

Annual Report On Official Languages 49 • •

• The Services for Persons with BDIC French services are now fully A number of digital projects were Disabilities Unit released the integrated. Clients can now get undertaken to celebrate the 50th executive summary of the NWT information about programs and anniversary of the Government Disability Strategic Framework: services in French, on the web, over of the Northwest Territories: the 2017 to 2027 in French • the phone or in person. GNWT 50 webpage; GNWT 50 • Disability Matters: A companion BDIC’s guide to starting a business bilingual storyboard at the PWNHC to the NWT Disability Strategic in the NWT was launched as a and the Digital Commemorative Framework and the GNWT mobile web application, in both project – “GNWT 50 years of Public • Programs and Services for Persons • French and English. Service”.

with Disabilities Inventory were NWT Nominee Program guidelines The Let’s Talk About Cancer website • released in bilingual format and forms as well as the www. was redesigned.

English-French immigratenwt.ca website were Translation of the NWT Arts • Two Fact Sheets – • translated into French. • website is complete. TLA/CLA Two Lands Act and The launch of the Open Government The NWT Parks website and

Changes to Lease Rents site, located on Executive and reservation system are now • What we Heard Report Indigenous Affairs’ website, is available in French and are mobile – Two Lands Act available in French and English. • friendly. • Office of the Fire The GNWT is committed to the NWT Film is completely bilingual Marshall’s report principles of Open Government, with the exception of the user demonstrated through efforts to • • Written exams and created content. increase openness, transparency instructions for the 2018 Mine MACA launched its new website and accountability. Rescue Competition were enabling it to offer a mirrored made available in French. version in French. Websites and web content

Government institutions maintain a range of websites that provide pertinent information to the public. Public website translation has become more consistent, in phases and based on priorities identified in their Operating Plans for French. A number of activities related to website renewal and web content development took place during the reporting period:

50 Annual Report On Official Languages • Services TNO

WSCC launched its free Vehicles which often requires Occupational Health and Safety app From April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, the use of a Notary Public, a for mobile devices, which provides Services TNO processed a total of 824 service offered by Services workers and employers with requests, an increase of 37% from the TNO. Of the 824 requests, 408 safety legislation, information, and previous year. This is largely due to were made in French (49.5%), resources in French and English. the move to new offices now located 413 in English (50.1%) and 3 next to the Department of Motor in other languages. Justice : notary public, etc. 360 HSS : health insurance, marriage certificates, misc. 128 ENR : hunting permits & tags, fishing permits, etc. 109 ECE : Student Financial Assistance, general information 108 NWT Liquor Licensing Board : liquor license 24 Legislative Assembly: general information 17 ITI : general information 17 INF : general information 6

GOAL 3: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Government institutions inform and consult with the francophone consultations, focus groups, and seven regional centres, community about communications face-to-face meetings. including Yellowknife, and services in French. and two representative They also worked with francophone smaller communities. DOJ They encourage the participation community organizations and schools prepared newspaper ads, of the francophone community in to support a number of initiatives in posters, website content, the development of government French. and the survey and hand-out policies with a view to improving Below are a few examples of materials in French for all the delivery of services in French. consultations which sought these engagements. They also input from the francophone had interpreters on hand in the The government works with the community as well as a few samples significant demand communities francophone community to build of initiatives, presentations or to provide simultaneous relationships, gather input, and participation by ministers and/or translations. Following that work towards common goals. GNWT staff in French: engagement, DOJ also produced two reports, What We Heard and Community Engagement • and Consultations The Way Forward which were also DOJ conducted a cannabis public translated in French and posted to engagement from mid-July their website. Government institutions consulted to late September 2017. That • WSCC carried out a public with the French speaking public in process comprised of an online consultation on proposed changes various ways in 2017–2018, including survey available to all residents to the Workers’ Compensation Acts through online surveys, telephone and public meetings held in all of the Northwest Territories and Annual Report On Official Languages 51 (left to right) Front row: Marie-Ève Duperré, Human Resource Officer, Finance; Tara Hunter, Deputy Secretary of Human Resources, Finance; Nicole Bonnell, Planning Facilitator, Francophone Affairs Secretariat; Sylvia Haener, Deputy Minister, Education, Culture and Employment; Julie Lacroix, Manager of Official Languages, Health and Social Services; Catherine Barlow, President, Fédération franco-ténoise Back row: Bruce Cooper, Deputy Minister, Health and Social Services; Jean François Pitre, Trésorier, Fédération franco-ténoise; Lorne Gushue, Planning Facilitator, Francophone Affairs Secretariat; Jean de Dieu Tuyishime, Executive Director, Fédération franco-ténoise; Benoît Boutin, Executive Director, Francophone Affairs Secretariat

•

Nunavut, and on the proposal • Attendance by GNWT staff at the Active offer through general public to introduce a safety Ministerial Conference on the engagement for Climate Change ticketing system and fines Canadian Francophonie in June • Strategic Framework . • for non‐compliance with 2017 in Gatineau, Québec. The GNWT/ FFT Consultation some of the Occupational Services TNO staff participated as and Cooperating Committee Health and Safety judges in three French speaking met in January 2018 to discuss Regulations. All background • contests in Yellowknife schools. progress and updates. DOF made a information, documentation, DOJ worked extensively on the presentation on ongoing projects, as questionnaires and Special Constables in the NWT well as on statistics related to advertising were available Exhibit in conjunction with the the Francophone community in French. The public • Prince of Wales Northern Heritage of the NWT. meeting consultations were Centre and the RCMP G Division. The Manager of Official Languages conducted in a bilingual DOJ paid for the exhibit panels and of the DHSS, and the FLSCs from manner, as the organization printing of all communications the Yellowknife and Stanton specifically engaged the • materials related to this project. Territorial Health Authorities sit on services of a bilingual the coordinating committee of the facilitator for its proceedings. Resources and Energy Development Information tradeshow in Hay River. Réseau TNO santé (RTS). The DHSS 52 Annual Report On Official Languages Education and French

has regular informal meetings with member of the RIF (Francophone

• the coordinator of the RTS. Immigration Network) and works Under the Official Languages closely with CDÉTNO on all areas ECE met with the Executive in Education Protocol • of immigration. the Federal Department Director of CDÉTNO to seek advice 2013-2018, signed between regarding priorities to translate A bilingual facilitator was available trades-based resources for as part of the Small Communities of Canadian Heritage and • apprentices. Employment Strategy engagement the Council of Ministers in The Schools North Apprenticeships sessions held in various Education of Canada, ECE • Program (SNAP) provided communities. signed a five-year agreement support for ECE’s participation in Labour Development and to provide funding for

an immigration event in French; Standards provided a presentation French Minority Language specifically a webcast to the in French Destination Canada Education and French as a Canadian embassy in France (web, on the Northwest Territories Second-Language Instruction language facilitation, translation). • Nominee Program (Core French, Intensive and Hundreds of participants in France The Bureau of Statistics developed Post-Intensive French, and • participated in the event. the NWT Drugs and Addictions Immersion programs). The The Secretariat engaged key Survey, which was translated to Canada-NWT Agreement representatives of the francophone French and distributed to targeted offers funding divided by community to contribute to the • NWT homes. linguistic objectives. In both • cases, projects fall under five evaluation of the Strategic Plan. DOF bilingual staff participated in • areas of intervention: Presentation of BDIC’s programs 2 Café Emploi, attended the Skills • Student Participation and services to the Francophone Canada Territorial Competition • • community during CDÉTNO’s AGM. and the GNWT Summer Student Provision of Programs BDIC has an ongoing partnership Open House. Communications at Enriched School • with CDÉTNO. CDÉTNO’s Economic all events were available in both Environment • • Development Officer frequently French and English. Support of Educational Staff uses the BDIC’s business services The Services for Persons with Access to Postsecondary • centre to support their clients. Disabilities Unit conducted the Education The Northwest Territories NWT Disability Program Review Nominee Program (NTNP) is a and Renewal project Public Engagement Questionnaire.

Annual Report On Official Languages 53 GNWT LANGUAGE PROGRAM EXPENDITURES – French (2017-2018)

In 2017-2018, ECE spent $5,668,618 million for French Language Services. In the same fiscal year, ECE spent an additional $2,906,039 million for French Language Education programming. DESCRIPTION ACTUAL EXPENDITURES

French Language Services $5,668,618 French Language Education l (note 1) $2,906,039 TOTAL: $8,574,657

Note 1: This amount does not include the expenditures incurred by Education Bodies to deliver French Language Education programming.

54 Annual Report On Official Languages

If you would like this information in another official language, call us. English

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Kīspin ki nitawihtīn ē nīhīyawihk ōma ācimōwin, tipwāsinān. Cree

Tłıch̨ ǫ yatı k’èę ̀.̨ Dı wegodı newǫ dè, gots’o gonede. Tłıch̨ ǫ

Ɂerıhtł’ıś Dëne Sųłıné yatı t’a huts’elkër xa beyáyatı theɂą ɂat’e, nuwe ts’ën yółtı. Chipewyan

Edı gondı dehgáh got’ıę zhatıé k’éę ́ ̨ edatł’éh enahddhę nıde naxets’é ̨ edahłı.́ South Slavey

K’áhshó got’ınę xǝdǝ k’é hederı ɂedıhtl’̨ é yerınıwę nıd́ é dúle. North Slavey

Jii gwandak izhii ginjìk vat’atr’ijąhch’uu zhit yinohthan jì’, diits’àt ginohkhìi. Gwich’in

Uvanittuaq ilitchurisukupku Inuvialuktun, ququaqluta. Inuvialuktun

ᑖᒃᑯᐊ ᑎᑎᕐᒃᑲᐃᑦ ᐱᔪᒪᒍᕕᒋᑦ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᓕᕐᒃᓯᒪᓗᑎᒃ, ᐅᕙᑦᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᐅᖄᓚᔪᓐᓇᖅᑐᑎᑦ. Inuktitut

Hapkua titiqqat pijumagupkit Inuinnaqtun, uvaptinnut hivajarlutit. Inuinnaqtun

Indigenous Languages and Education Secretariat: 867-767-9346 Francophone Affairs Secretariat: 867-767-9343