(Photo: Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez addressing U.N. General Assembly in New York Friday to mark global launch of International Year of Indigenous Languages.)
February 1, 2019 Liberals table a notice to introduce the long-anticipated legislation, titled An Act Respecting Indigenous Languages.
Canada’s Indigenous Languages legislation moved one step closer In Ottawa as Metis Nation President Chartier and other National Indigenous leaders joined Canada’s Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez in New York to mark the United Nations General Assembly launch of the International Year of Indigenous Languages. Referencing the legislation to preserve, revitalize and promote Indigenous languages, Minister Rodriguez told the Assembly that a crisis point has been reached for three-quarters of the Indigenous languages in Canada that are critically endangered, a legacy of decades of colonial government policies.
The Minister stated:
“Today’s launch shows a global commitment to Indigenous Peoples. No relationship is more important to our government than the one with Indigenous Peoples. Reclamation, revitalization, strengthening and maintenance of Indigenous languages are essential components of reconciliation, and there is no better time to focus on this important issue than during this special year.”
l-r: Minister Rodriguez, Grand Chief LittleChild, National Chief Bellegarde, and President Chartier
Bilateral meeting
Canadian delegates Roundtable discussion
President Chartier speaks at the roundtable