With approximately 90 Indigenous languages spoken today, multilingualism in what is now commonly referred to as Canada predates European invasion. Since its founding in 1867, Canada’s language-in-education policies primarily focused on establishing and negotiating the status of English and French… Continue reading
In the lands commonly known as British Columbia (BC), there are 203 First Nations communities, representing thirty-four distinct languages. All these languages are in a “critical state” (Gessner et al., 2018, p. 38). The First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture… Continue reading
There are ten Indigenous languages, across forty-six First Nations, in the region commonly known as Alberta (AB). The Languages Act (2002) of Alberta establishes English as the official language in Alberta and grants the right to speak either English or… Continue reading
There are eight Indigenous languages in the lands commonly known as Saskatchewan (SK). The Languages Act (1988-89) establishes that both English and French are the languages of the Legislative Assembly and courts and that regulations can be enacted, printed, and… Continue reading
There are seven Indigenous languages in the lands commonly known as Manitoba (MB). The provincial government approved legislation allowing bilingual English-French schools in 1979. The languages of education in Manitoba are English and French. Section 79 of the Public Schools… Continue reading
Ontario (ON) designates English and French as official languages of instruction in schools, however the Ministry of Education has committed to developing and implementing programming and services to support First Nation, Métis, and Inuit cultures and languages. Still, Indigenous languages… Continue reading
Nine Indigenous languages (Montagnais, Naskapi, Inuktitut, Cree, Algonquin, Atikamekw, Mohawk, Abenaki, and Micmac) are still spoken in what is commonly referred to as Québec (QC). Languages like Wendat, which had gone to sleep, are being reawakened. Adopted in 1977, Québec’s… Continue reading
There are fifteen First Nation communities in New Brunswick (NB). The Official Languages Act (2002) recognizes English and French as official languages. The Education Act (1997, updated 2021) states that the language of instruction in schools should be the official… Continue reading
There are two Mi’kmaq First Nations, Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations, in the lands now referred to as Prince Edward Island (PE). There are currently no provincial acts related to Indigenous languages. Provincial language policy focuses on the status… Continue reading
The Mi’kmaw Language Act (2022) recognizes the Mi’kmaw language as the first language of the province commonly referred to as Nova Scotia (NS). The Act commits in legislation to a formal and lasting collaborative relationship between the Mi’kmaq and the… Continue reading
Inuit, Innu, and the Mi’kmaq Peoples are the Nations that inhabit what is currently referred to as Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). The Schools Act (1997) recognizes English as the language of instruction and also provides instruction in French for those… Continue reading
Nunavut (NU) language and education policy are highly supportive of Indigenous language immersion. In Nunavut, the Official Languages Act (2013) states that the Inuit language, Inuktut, along with English and French are official languages of the territory and gives support… Continue reading
There are nine Indigenous languages recognized as official (Chipewyan, Cree, Gwich’in, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey, South Slavey, and Tłįchô) in what is currently the Northwest Territories (NWT). The Official Languages Act (1988) recognizes these languages along with English and… Continue reading
There are fourteen First Nations, representing eight language groups, in what is referred to under colonial law as the Yukon Territory (YT). The Languages Act (2002) establishes English and French as official languages of the territory and recognizes the need… Continue reading
Please use this form to send us a message about Indigenous language-in-education policies in your region. Continue reading
At the federal level, the Indigenous Languages Act (2019) is a significant piece of legislation that supports and promotes the use of Indigenous languages; it affirms Indigenous Peoples language rights; and aims to establish adequate, sustainable, and long-term funding. While… Continue reading