Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to talk about language, and specifically the Michif language. We have recognized languages here in the Northwest Territories, and Michif isn't one of them. I'd like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment if it's something that we are considering including as an official language because I understand that the Minister's grandfather was a speaker of Michif and he didn't pass it down to the Minister's father, who could then not pass it on to him. I would just ask the Minister if he has considered, and if this government has considered, if Michif could be a language that could be included as an official language in the Northwest Territories because I have also had the concerns that it's not from other constituents in Hay River and throughout the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Question 607-19(2): Addition of Michif as Official Language of the Northwest Territories
In the Legislative Assembly on February 26th, 2021. See this topic in context.
Question 607-19(2): Addition of Michif as Official Language of the Northwest Territories
Oral Questions
Page 2169
Question 607-19(2): Addition of Michif as Official Language of the Northwest Territories
Oral Questions
Page 2169
The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Question 607-19(2): Addition of Michif as Official Language of the Northwest Territories
Oral Questions
Page 2169
R.J. Simpson Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So far, there hasn't been a movement toward making Michif an official language. I think I actually had these same questions in the last Assembly. From my understanding, there is a relatively small number of speakers in the Northwest Territories, and I think there are some speakers who might be speaking Michif who identify as speaking a different language. Perhaps there needs to be more research around this. I know that the Standing Committee on Government Operations is undertaking a review of the Official Languages Act, and so this is something that can be pursued in there. I'm happy to look further into this and have further conversations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 607-19(2): Addition of Michif as Official Language of the Northwest Territories
Oral Questions
Page 2169
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
I'm pleased to hear that he is willing to look at it, because there are approximately 300 Michif speakers in the Northwest Territories, while some of the other official languages have only 500 or 600. I think it's an important part of the Northwest Territories because it's language that helps identify who we are. That's more of a comment than anything. I will bring this issue up in the House at a later date, and I just wanted to give notice that I would.
Question 607-19(2): Addition of Michif as Official Language of the Northwest Territories
Oral Questions
February 26th, 2021
Page 2169
R.J. Simpson Hay River North
I am happy to have the conversation, like I said. I know that there are people who are very passionate about Michif language in the territory, and they are working to revitalize it. While there may be two- or three-hundred speakers now, that does not mean that, in the future, that number is not going to grow. I would love to see it grow, and I would love to see more than just a few vibrant Indigenous languages. I am happy to have that conversation and move forward.
Question 607-19(2): Addition of Michif as Official Language of the Northwest Territories
Oral Questions
Page 2169
The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Member for Kam Lake.