Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Condition of Our Languages

Mr. Speaker, throughout the NWT, less people are speaking the aboriginal languages. Many aboriginal people, particularly young people, now use English as their first language at home. Statistics indicate that approximately 25 percent of aboriginal people under the age of 25 speak their traditional language, but these young speakers may not be as fluent as older speakers. By comparison, approximately 76 percent of aboriginal people aged 45 years or older speak their language. These rates differ for each of the official aboriginal languages. These rates also differ from community to community in the NWT.

This decline in aboriginal language use is significant because the NWT is the only homeland for the North Slavey and Dogrib languages and one of few homelands in the world for the other official aboriginal languages.

Use of the French language among the Francophone population also appears to be declining in the NWT. The only language that shows an increase in usage is English. English is the most common language used in homes throughout the NWT.

NWT Language Goals

Each of the NWT's aboriginal language communities has developed language goals. These goals generally include:

• • preserving the language (through oral histories, dictionaries, etc.);
• • promoting the importance of the language;
• • developing language curricula and materials for the schools;
• • training interpreter/translators and language instructors;
• • supporting the languages through policy and legislation;
• • strengthening school programs; and
• • coordinating community language projects.

The Francophone community has developed priorities that include promoting French language and culture, strengthening school programs, increasing French language services, and supporting French language media.

The GNWT is currently working with the official language communities to help them achieve their goals.

Language Rights

The United Nations has established protocols, conventions, and declarations to support language rights throughout the world. According to the UN, all people have the right to speak their own language. As well, education must develop respect for a child's cultural identity, language, and values. One international declaration states that people have the right to maintain their language within their own traditional territory. People who move into that territory must make an effort to adapt to the language and culture of the indigenous people.

In Canada, the Constitution Act (1982) guarantees French and English minority language rights across Canada. This means that Francophones can request and operate French language schools anywhere in Canada where there are enough Francophone students. The Constitution Act also states that the Government of Canada must provide services in both French and English across Canada. The Official Languages Act (1988) of Canada reaffirms and further defines language rights established through the Constitution Act. Both acts provide for interpreter services, where needed, in all Canadian court proceedings.

Section 35(1) of the Constitution Act recognizes the "...existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada." Aboriginal rights are not fully defined in the act, but may include languages rights. Aboriginal self-government agreements currently being negotiated in the NWT are beginning to address language rights issues.

The NWT and Nunavut are the only jurisdictions in Canada that recognize aboriginal languages as official languages. The Official Languages Act of the NWT (1990) states that all official languages can be used in the Legislative Assembly. It also states that GNWT services may be provided in the official languages where there is sufficient demand. The Official Languages Commissioner is appointed to ensure that the government meets its obligations under the act.

The Official Languages Guidelines Manual (1997) provides guidelines for the delivery of GNWT services in the official languages. The guidelines identify which languages may be used for government services in each community of the NWT. People should be informed that they have the right to use their language in certain designated areas.

The Education Act (1996) allows district education authorities to select the language of instruction for their schools. However, there must be sufficient demand, fluent teachers, and sufficient resource materials. For these reasons, among others, many DEAs have not offered aboriginal first language programs. French language rights are defined in the French First Language Education Regulations, which are attached to the Education Act. French language schools operate in Yellowknife and Hay River.

Many other NWT acts contain references to language. In most cases, interpreters and/or translation must be used to provide essential information or services.

Mr Speaker, I will now ask my colleague, Mr. Michael McLeod, Member for Deh Cho and member of the special committee, to continue.