Policy Areas

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• Aboriginal Languages Initiative
• Critically Endangered Languages
• The National First Nation Languages Strategy, 2000
• Indian Control of Indian Education
• State of First Nation Languages in Canada
• The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP)
• Chronology of Language & Culture Activities & Events
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Languages

Languages Sector Update

“Language is our unique relationship to the Creator, our attitudes, beliefs, values and fundamental notions of what is truth. Our Languages are the cornerstone of who we are as a People.  Without our Languages our cultures cannot survive.”
(Towards Linguistic Justice for First Nations, Assembly of First Nations: Principles for Revitalization of First Nations Languages, September 1990)

Mandate

In 1992-1993 the Assembly of First Nations established the Languages and Literacy Secretariat.

The primary objectives of the Languages Secretariat, as stated in the National First Nations Languages Strategy, 2000:

• Raise community awareness of the importance of First Nation languages at the community level.
• Encourage the development of First Nation languages.
• Lobby for legislation to recognize, protect and promote First Nation languages.
• Carry out research on the state of First Nation languages and develop strategies to preserve and strengthen them.
• Research and establish a First Nation Languages Foundation.

In 2001, the Languages and Literacy Secretariat was disbanded following funding cutbacks by the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. “Languages” was merged with “Education” under the Social Development Secretariat.

In 2003, under the leadership of National Chief Phil Fontaine, the AFN Languages Sector was re-established and joined with Education and International sectors to form the present “International, Languages & Learning Secretariat.”

The AFN Languages Sector performs two primary functions: 

• Assisting the national Chiefs Committee on Languages (CCOL) to fulfill its mandate in the protection and advancement of First Nation language rights and to implement the National First Nation Languages Strategy.
• Coordinating the development and implementation of national strategic language initiatives on behalf of First Nations throughout Canada.