The federal government is hosting an Indigenous languages engagement session in Saskatoon this week.
The meeting is part of the government’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action to pass an Aboriginal Languages Act.
Garry Anaquod is the special projects coordinator at the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre and one of the session’s participants.
He says language and culture are virtually inseparable.
“We felt and said for a long time that really they (language and culture) go together,” he says. “So many principles in our cultures, whether it’s Dene or Plains Cree or the other languages, some of the world view principles, our cultural basis, is embedded in our language.”
Anaquod adds the desire to learn traditional languages is definitely there in the province but it is only the necessary resources that are lacking.
“I think we want to make sure that we have assured support for First Nations language education because we really don’t have enough teachers. We also don’t have enough resources to meet the need, especially in Saskatoon and across Saskatchewan.”
The TRC makes a number of other calls to action regarding Indigenous languages.
These include the federal government having a responsibility to provide sufficient funding for Aboriginal language revitalization and preservation, funding initiatives must reflect the diversity of Aboriginal languages and the appointment of an Aboriginal languages commissioner.
The meeting began on Thursday with a discussion on Métis languages.
Friday’s meeting focused on First Nations languages.
The meeting wrapped up on Friday afternoon.
(PHOTO: SICC logo. Photo courtesy www.sicc.sk.ca.)