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Articles on Indigenous languages

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A book written in Inuktitut. A lack of concrete constitutional guarantees, community credibility and long-term funding has rendered the government’s efforts to revitalize Indigenous languages largely ineffective. (Shutterstock)

Canada should provide Indigenous languages with constitutional protection

Critics have said the government’s efforts to revitalize Indigenous languages are colonial and do not engage with Indigenous Peoples on an equal footing.
The Binung Ma Na Du Cultural Stories and Living Histories on Wakka Wakka Country project

‘It’s about making our children feel proud’: how schools can learn about local Indigenous language and culture

Researchers worked with Wakka Wakka Elders and local community members to co-design curriculum resources for local schools.
Carmel O'Shannessy

A new study of Warlpiri language shows how ‘baby talk’ helps little kids learn to speak

Previous studies of baby talk have focussed on European languages, Mandarin and Japanese. For the first time, research looks at an Australian Indigenous language.
Black Ferns rugby star Ruby Tui after winning the 2022 women’s Rugby World Cup. Getty Images

‘You can’t speak what you can’t hear’ – how Māori and Pacific sports stars are helping revitalise vulnerable languages

More Indigenous sports stars are speaking their mother tongues in TV interviews and elsewhere. The challenge now is to develop truly bilingual commentary teams to keep the ball alive.
Former Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Chief Shane Gottfriedson, left, speaks as hiwus (Chief) Warren Paull, of the shíshálh Nation, listens during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Jan. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada’s $2.8 billion settlement with Indigenous Day Scholars is a long time coming

This new agreement finally allows First Nations to decide for themselves how the funding will revitalize their language and culture independently of the government.
Language policy in Canada suggests misunderstanding among government officials and the general public about language use, international language rights and their implications. (Shutterstock)

Supporting minority languages requires more than token gestures

Canada’s population is more diverse than ever, with many different languages represented. Government policy must reflect that diversity and offer meaningful support to minority languages.

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