Manitoba's new Aboriginal Languages Recognition Act to recognize aboriginal languages
MB. to recognize aboriginal languages
By PAUL TURENNE - April 20, 2010
Manitoba is set to become the first province in Canada to officially recognize its aboriginal languages in law.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Eric Robinson introduced a proposed new law Tuesday called the Aboriginal Languages Recognition Act, which designates Cree, Dakota, Dene, Inuktitut, Michif, Ojibway and Oji-Cree as “the aboriginal languages spoken and used in Manitoba.”
‘Step one’
The bill does not designate any special powers or responsibilities with respect to the languages, but does set the groundwork for that to happen down the road if need be.
“I think it’s step one in ensuring we do more work in the preservation of language,” Robinson said. “It gives us a certain degree of responsibility in ensuring these languages will be around for a very long time and hopefully forever.”
Robinson said aboriginal leaders also share the responsibility of preserving languages and culture, and noted many already do lots of work in the field, including ensuring the languages are taught in schools.
Robinson said the bill includes all of the aboriginal languages that have survived in Manitoba, noting there are others like Assiniboine that are no longer spoken here.
The bill will become law when it passes later this spring, as it is sure to do with the NDP majority.
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Manitoba moves to preserve seven aboriginal languages
Winnipeg Free Press - April 20, 2010
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government introduced legislation Tuesday that would recognize Cree, Dakota, Dene, Inuktitut, Michif, Ojibway and Oji-Cree as the aboriginal languages of Manitoba.
"Indigenous languages have vanished or are in danger of disappearing in many parts of the world and the same fate is possible for Manitoba's Aboriginal languages if we don't act now to protect them," said Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson.
"This legislation is the first step toward preserving and promoting Manitoba's proud Indigenous language heritage for the benefit of future generations."
According to Statistics Canada, it is estimated that 25.2 per cent of aboriginal Manitobans have knowledge of an aboriginal language, down from 27.7 per cent from 2001.