Mr. Chairman, in regard to languages, looking at other groups and cultures around the world, I think the most important thing in any language is to be able to use the language in regard to the day-to-day lives of the individuals that belong to those language groups.
But in the North it seems like it’s not being forced on groups to promote, enhance and speak the language as a working language. I know I had an opportunity to travel to Wales a number of years ago. They almost lost their language, but the only way they were really able to bring it back was that they had to legislate it in as a working language, where people actually used it in their day-to-day commerce, their shopping. They promoted it in their stores, in regard to their signage. They promoted it everywhere as a working language.
I know that your response and also the department’s is to maintain and enhance those languages. I’m wondering where exactly you’re going not only in trying to protect those languages, but also to enhance them and make them officially working languages.
You yourself, Mr.
Minister, know the Tlicho
language. The Tlicho communities are a very strong culture because of those language abilities. They’re able to use it as a working language by way of the Tlicho government, in regard to the speaking of the residents and using it as a day-to-day language.
I’m just wondering: are you are considering looking at and promoting languages more by way of enhancing those languages? I know the French are very strong in the North. They do everything they can to promote and enhance their language. I think that also has to apply to First Nations languages.
So again, I’d like to ask the Minister: is that something that’s being contemplated by way of financial support, to do more of that in the Northwest Territories?